The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-03-25
CIVIL RIGHTS IN CHICAGO.
Two fremont Restaurant COfOred
Walters Ask for supper nt the
-. EInO-Their CoIOrcd
COnfreres SIC fusr 40
Waits ON Them.
From the Chicago Tribune

From the Chicago Tribunel
The first case under the new Civil
Rights bill was instituted Yesterday morn
ing before United States Commissioner
Hoyne, by Taylor T. Hamilton and
Thomas Johnson. two American citizens
of African descent, who alleged that they
bad been aggrieved bv the failure OF
Messrs. Whyland IL Foss, of the 1t.
Elmo restaurant, 10 answer their de-
mands for supper at a late hour Thurs
day evening. They stated TO the Com
missioner that they had entered the 81.
Elmo in company with three friends of
the same complexion, and had taken
seats at table for supper. After perus-
ing the bill of fare, they ordered their
chops, etc, but somehow failed TO attract
the attention OF the walters, which, u
them, was strange proceeding, espec-
cally since the law said that they could
be served. \ vigorous humping upon
the table ELECTED the attention of the
night-watchman only, who, for some
reason, failed to comprehend his duty,
or ut least to give them any attention.
Enduring for a while these insults and
slightS, which are common to inhabitants
of restaurants, they quilted the establish
ment, but returned the next morning to
see if they could then get justice. Fail
ing to obtain satisfaction, they went to
find redress in the law which had made
them the equals of the rest of mankind
After listening to their tales of woe,
Commissioner Hoyne politely informed
them that he was not as yet in possession
of copy of the law, except what had
been published in The daily press, aud
he did not feel warranted in acting there
upon. The complainants replied that
they were walters at the fremont House
restaurant, and had been advised bv Mr.
James Couch to take the steps they had.
They understood that the indignity they
had suffered was under the law worth
just $500. and nothing less would satisfy
them. Mr.. Hoyne replied that he was
a little short of change just then, and
that they had better call again, which
they agreed to do.
\ reporter, hearing of the circumstan-
ces early yesterday morning waited upon
Messrs. Whyland d Foss, to get their
version Of the troubles. "Charlie" Why
land was found in business trim. After
an Introductory converse, he said that
he knew Hamilton and johnson, and
that they had at one time been in his
employ, and that they were discharged
for some sort of misdemeanor. He was
not in the restaurant when they applied
for Il meal, and personally knew nothing
of the treatment they received. He had
never instructed his help one way or the
other since the passage of the civil rights
bill, but they had all told him that they
would not wait upon colored people apply
ing for meals. His head-waiter had told
him that five colored men came into the
restaurant last Saturday evening and
asked for supper. They were not direct
ly refused, but no one would wait upon
them. When informed, for the first
time, that complaint had been made
against him, he pronounced the affair an
attempt at "blackmail;" first, for the
reason that, if the parties were at work
at the fremont restaurant, they would
naturally take their meals there: second
ly, that the parties had enmty against
him because he had discharged them,
etc; and thirdly, because they were low,
vile, desperate characters, and liable to
resort to any means to turn "A dishonest
penny.
Mr.. James Couch, of the fremont
House, was next seen. lie had heard
nothing Of the proceedings, and did not
know either Of the parties named, and
consequently had not advised them in
the matter. If he had known Of the
affair, instead of advising them to prose
cute Messrs. Whyland IL Foss, he would
have ordered them kicked from his house.
He would not tolerate such characters
for a moment, and would order their dis
missal at once.
The head-waiter Of the fremont res
taurant was then visited. He had such
men in his employ, but had no intima-
ton that they had been acting as they
had. They were out at the time, but he
would give them a talking TO, if not their
discharge, as soon as he saw them.
ANOTHER.
Following the action of Hamilton and
johnson, a colored man, name unknown,
yesterday applied at the Tivoli bar for a
glass of beer. Being refused, he raised
howl, and reported the imaginary out
rage at headquarters. No notice was
taken Of the report, however from the
fact that the Civil Rights bill does not
cover traffic in spirituous drinks.
The bill Is likely to lead to considera-
bic trouble among the restaurants Of the
city. No one seems inclined to disobey
the law, but at the same time few care
to comply with its provisions, for the rea-
son that it would injure their business.
They do not object to accommodating
colored men, but think they ought 10
have The privilege Of saying how. All
were found united in purpose, however.
While they would serve colored appli-
cants at tables set aside for them, they
would spare no pains to make their ac-
commodations as mean as possible. One
prominent proprietor said tina. colored
people coming to his place might rely
upon one thing; that if he had any
tough beef, rancid butter, or stale bread,
it would be served them without stint.
1t is stated that at one time and another
a number Of colored men have been in
Whyland's employ, and have been dis
missed by him, and that they now pro-
pose to take their revenge in this ingen-
ious and legal fashion.