Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-06
FvFNTG STAR.
Q L..
COIGRESSIO9-

SENATE.-After our report closed

r.
meHt, inquired Of him whether be Thought Con-
gress had right 90 reclaim from Senator'S ana
Members the salary paid to them by Lag.
vOlved.
Mr.. Logan said II is amendment proposed that
members OF Congress should give back their in
was increased at the same time should keep II.
He would not vote for any salary repeal bill
which did not include everybody but the Presi-
dent and supreme Court Anything else but
that would be deception and q fraud, and
would not be what the people demanded.
Considerable discussion ensued on the htll
covering the same ground as in the debate In
MT. Stewart did not believe that - 800 WAS
an unreasonable compensation, and did not
believe there was any public sentiment that Il
Pending discussion the Senate, At D. m, al
journed, Mr.. Wright giving notice that he
would ask the Senate 20 act on IL before adj
tournament to-day.
OWL RIGHTS.
HOUSE.-After our report closed
Mr.. stephens addressed the House on the
civil rights bill. He said 50 much was in
volved in this bill that he had though
i best TO reduce his speech 70 writing
thing that he WAS not Uften IN the habi
OF doing. He was opposed 10 the biII. and
would argue the question negatively and srfirm
stiyely. He did not oppose il because he va.
opposed to dong exact justice TO every human
leing In all our broad land, for he recogniz, a
heduty OF all govern ments 10 protect all Class
OF its citizens, but the solution OF this problem
in his opinion, lies in the administration of ins
tce. He opposed the bill from no prejudice in
the sligbtes degree TO any man, woman or chi.d
within the limits of the United States, and was
not Influenced in his action by any motive OF
that sort he recognized 20 ats fullest extent
the great truth that al men were created equal.
and had AN equal right to the enjoyment OF lite
liberty and happiness. All have. an equal right
tolustoe, and TO stand, as far a. government
powers are exercised, on a perfect equality I've
fore the law, and this applied 10 ali, OF what
ever color. This was the broad catholic doc
trlne, but IL did not inculcate fraternity IN the
social relation, but that all should act toward
another ss they would have others act toward
them.
Mr. stephens said he had always held to this
doctrine, and he quoted from speech which he
had delivered before the legislature Of Georgia
after the war, in which he had urged the ac-
ceptance Of all the issues of the war. He was in
favor OF giving the colOred people the full
measure of justice. and all the civil liberty that
they could possibly and rightfully claim. lie
believed that under our laws q first class ticket
entitled the holder TO trst-class seat and passage
in any public conveyance, but railroad com
panies have also q right to assign passengers 10
such seats as they please, provided they Afforded
them tirst-class passage and the cars are As
comfortable as they expected when they paid for
the seats. be was opposed TO the bill because IL
was violation Of the Constitution. The powers OF
Congress were specific and limited, and he could
nowhere md the authority for the passage Of
htteenth amendments conferred any such 10 wer
These amendments had no application VIII at
ever TO these subjects. All they were intended
to do was TO declare the colOred race citizens of
the United States and of the states respectively
and TO prevent the states from passing laws
inimical TO that race. They were also 70 pro-
vide security for the coloTed race for Their lives
and liberty, and TO assure them in the enjoy
ment of their property and in all their rights
just as they were secured TO other citizens. The
exercise OF no new power was conferred by
either of these amendments. They did not con
fer civil rights-nOt even the light of suffrage
but nly prohibit the states from discriminating
against the colored race, and that whatever
rights are given to other citizens shall not be
denied TO the co ored race. These civil matters
could only be provided for in TIE cou. Is OF the
country. No such thing was given by these
amendments as TO authorize the tremendous
power in Congress OF exercising legislation over
the people OF the several states.
In support OF these propositions Mr.. s. had
read the decision OF the Supreme Court on the
New Orleans slaughter-house cases. He con-
tended that while additional powers we're con-
terred, no new powers were conferred. So long
as an incOrruptible judiciary sh all interpret the
powers Of the government there was no danger
OF any citizen being deprived OF his rights.
He also opposed the bill because OF its ineNpe-
diency. Ii was injudiciOus and unWise to ena 4
this law, and it would be far better TO leave All
such matters TO the different states. He did no,
believe the majority of the cOlOred people OF
Georgia mad any desire for the passage OF thi:
bill. They preferred their own schools, theii
own churches and their own societies. In G. eOE.
gla they had now their own schools and uni YER
sites, which were supported By state aid, Just
1
would be better for both races 70 be kept sepa-
rate in these sOcial relations As for himself
| he had always had the friendship OF the colore
race, ana he did not believe there was A negr
| in Georgia to-day, who knew him. WHO would
not rather call upon him for aid and counse
than TO call upon any carpet Dagger in the
| course, in order that all might be speedil
brought back to the older and better days OF tn
L republic.
Mir. Rainey Is. c. was next recognized, an
hat fhaYa ne ua-xu .,
this bill, for in many sections OF this country
| there were people who suffered from the most
humiliating Determinations. These people helI
10 form the government, and vet they are de-
| prived of their civil rights. They asked nc
peculiar favors, but simply that they might be
permitted TO enjoy their rights. Judging from
some of the arguments on the other side II
seemed 10 him that gentlemen were afraid that
the colored race would over xome the white race
by their superior intelligence and morality
His people, however, had no intention of de
stroying the white race. IL was all a bugbear q
say that they wanted TO force social equality
He for enc would not vote for this bill II he sup
posed its purpose was to force any white mar
upon his society. Both political parties in theiI
last annual conventions had committed them
selves TO the doctrines of justice TO the colored
| man, and he was therefore surprised 70 see the
opposition to this bill. All that the colored
people demanded was 8 chance in the race OF
| life, and 10 have the same privileges as were
accorded to the white race. The Federal Con-
gress was the proper power to take hold of the
matter, for If lett TO the states the colored
people would never get their rights.
Mr.. Mills (TeNas) argued that this bill was a
clear and positive invasion of the rights Of the
| people. He referred particularly TO the public
| school system, which, he said, would be great,
| affected thereby. He, also, opposed the bill a.
being unconstitutional.
Mr.. Elliott Is. Co. obtained the floor, but
yielded for motion to adjourn.
The Speaker laid before the House a message
from the President in relation to the yIrginius
matter. Referred.
The House then, at i:35 p. m, adjourned.
THE LIBERALS AND THE PoPR.-The Pal
Mall Gazette remarks that a fresh attack on the
last relic of the Ponies temnaral nnssassinn.