The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-09-21
The Civil Right. Bill.

AhS Sifl hiBu'b blll,
Speaking Of this measure, in his re.
cent speech, Senator Davis said:
And l will first call your attention to
what is known as Summers Civil
Rights Bill, because this is tho most
iuiquitous Of all iniquities that the
Republicans arc endeayoring 10 foist
upon the people. and il continued in
power they will pcrpetrate this disgrace
as certainly as night succeeds day.
The bill is sweeping in its provisions
and the penalties attached for any VIC.
latiOn of the law, are Of tho seyerest
character. The first section Of this iu-
famous bill, as It passed the Senate,
reads as follows.
That oil citizens and other 'pcrsous
within the jurisdiction of the United
States shall be entitled to full aud equal
enjoyment Of the accommodations, ad !.
vnntuge>, facilities and privileges Of
public conyeyanccs on land or water.
theatres or other public places Of
amusement, aud also Of the common
schools and public institutions Of
learning or benevOlence, supported 10
whole or 10 part by general taxation,
aud Of cemeteries so supported, aud
also institutions known rs agricultural
colleges endowed by the United States,
subject only to tho conditions and lin.
itations established BY tho law and ap.
plicable alike to citizens Of every race
and color, regardless Of any previous
condition ofseryitude.
The second section provides pen
atty Of $500 and costs 10 be paid the
aggrieycd party, aud further makes any
violation Of the provisions Of the first
section, misdemeanor, punishable
with a fine of not moro than 81 1000
or imprisonment not more than ono
year.
Inc third section gives tho district
and circuit courts Of tho United States
exclusive cognizance Of all violations
of the provisions Of this act. Thus De.
priying the State Courts Of all power
in tho premises.
The fourth section provides that no
person shall be disouaii6ei nm ,.,,,n,
Of color, previous condition, &C., from
serving as grand or petit juror in any
court Of the United States. and make
Tho failure Of any officer who excludes
such person from such service, mis-.
demeanor, punishable with $1,000
iine.
This bill passed the Senate by a vote
Of nearly two to one. And yct when
it was introduced in tho Senate, It met
with hardly any Countenanco or favor.
But finding their pows, continued, The
leader Of the Republican party conclu.
dcd to father this infamy, aud so null.
ed the party lines, and the obedIept
rank and file obeying the commanil,
the bill was rushed through. The De.
nOcracy made a vigorous effort to prt .
vent tho passage Of this fraud upon the
people, but being in hopeless minor.
ity, they could do nothing but staye h,
of 9, as long as possible. They showed
the unccnststutionality Of tho net !;
they argued against It's impracticability:
they implo:ed the Radicals to refrain
from this browning indignity upon the
Southern and border States, but ali in
vain. They then to delay by resort.
ing 10 every parliamentary tactic posi-.
bic, but the Republicans Werc loo
strong for them, and after IN all day
and nights session they succeeded IL
putting on the gang law aud forcing
It's passage. This BILL, It is trae, has
not yet passed the House, but Il failed
simply for want Of sufficient number Of
votes to suspend the rules and put up.
on us passage. Tho Republicans yo.
ted for this suspension almost to a man;
but fortunately, by calling The yeas
and meas, &C., tho Democrats were
enabled to defca. the bi | for the mes.
emit. But is on the calender in such a
position that ii can DO called up for
passage at any day next session III. Re.
publican may choose. It's tiual pa,.
sage depends, in my opinion, on the
result OF the elections this fall. Iftbo
arc successful The bill
will be passed, because tho Republi.
eau representatives will take their sue.
cess as an endorsement Of tho measure
by the people. II, however, Che man.
hood Of the country rises up arains.
this petty persecution ; II the Democ.
racy exert themsol rcs to action, and
through the ballot box, by the cleo.
lion OF true men opposed 10 negro 81.
premacy, U@sarlsm and nepotism, no.
lily the Republican party that its ten.
ire Of power % held 6y but slender
bread, and that the people will not
Itand this Infringement upon their
i6hla tka Lii .s:tt 1T IL Al,