Wilmington journal., 1875-02-26
NO. 8.
From toe Raleigh Newe.
CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE HOUSE

Packe0s
Long before the hour of 12yosterday
the appointed time for the discussion
of the Glenn-Civil-Righ resolutions
in the House, the galleries and Iobbies
were rammed, jammed and packed
by an anxious crowed of spectators tt
witness the proceedings. Ladies
thronged the left side Of the gallery
in fact we never witnessed such gen
eral outpouring in the Legislative hail.
before.
We think the ladies were somewhat
disappointed, as the time was princi
pally occupied in the morning witt
dry, lengthy, Republican stump cam
paign speeches, being only their same
old last summer campaign songs, with
| slight variations. It is well known
that these Republican candidates
professed more hostility TO Civil
Rights than the Democratic party.
They declared Congress would never
pass the bill; that it would die in the
House, ETC.; that if it did pass they
would not support the party, etc.
This was the general cry, with few
exceptions, i'll all counties that had
white majorities. The House did pass
| the Civil Rights bill, and yet with two
honorable exceptions in the House, so
far, these gentlemen have failed to
come to taw.
After the reading of the resolutions
substitute (mlld, exceedingly mild
IN its nature), was offered Dy Mr..
Oaksmith, who followed in a speech,
in which he declared himself a good
Democrat, &C., but should vote here
after according to the dictates Of his
conscience. He would not vote for
Glenn's resolutions. They proposed
to drive white men from the opposite
party, and for tho consideration he
had for that ignorant clement OF our
population he wanted TO see men Of
standing and ability directing them in
their party plans.
He was frequently applaudcd by the
Republicans only, though he stated
that he wanted no appia0s9 from them.
Messrs. Walker, of Richmond, and
Gudger, both replied briefly TO Nj
Oaksmith, Mr.. Gudger using the re-
mark that 1t was bur natural that Mr.
Oaksmith should shape his substitute Q
to please the opposite party, RS it was
we'll to praise he bridge that Carried
him safely over the stream.
The substitute was overwhelmingly
defeated, only the white RAIDS voting
Tor it and every negro voting against
1t. The resolutions were then taken
up, and Mr.. Gambler took the floor.
He first wanted to know why SO much
interest was manifested III the Legis-
lature here to day. Why It IS that
ladies tbrong the galleries, and lob
bies, and even the floor OF the House
was SO densely packed ? Was 1t to
witness this useless aud extrayageut
legislation, drawn 10y the exciting re
ports in the Daily News, or was J.
Consider d of SO much importance, &c!
Ia that flaming head the News re-
porter asks, where now is CaDdler,
who was elected by white men" &c.
81 will say, here is Gambler " He
then proceeded to tell who Gambler
was; said that he represented as Re
publican on this floor Democratic
constituency; that his people had con-
tidence III HIM, &C., and he had the
nerve to stand up, even before this
large audience. and declare himself a
Republican and In opposition TO the
resolutions. He then proceeded TO
reiterate, what we would reasonably
suppose his campaign speech, Civil
Rights, Horace Greeley and all, TO
have been.
By way of variety, he proceeded to
remark on some points pleasing to the
negroes, and was vociferously ap-
plauded. He said the colored hepre-
sentatives on this floor had been ig-
nored by the Democratic party; that it
was a notorious fact that not a single
bill introduced by a colored man had
passed the House.
Mr.. Tate-Will the gentleman allow
me to correct him?
Mr.. Candler-CeTt .inly.
Mr.. Tate-Among the first bills that
passed this General Assembly was one
introduced by oolored man, asking
Congress to pass bill to investigate
the affairs of the Freedman's National
Bank, where the colored peoples
funds had been deposited and stolen
from them by white Republicans.
(Applause.)
Messrs. Pinnix and McIver then
stated that they had called up from
the calendar to-day several bills intro
duced by colored men, which were
passed.
Mr.. Gambler very tamely replied: 81
did not know it. He, however.
never recovered from the shock, and a
few minutes afterwards closed his
speech.
Mr.. Trivett next followed.
He said his position mere was that
of an independent He was elected
upon the pledge that he would be
controlled by no party. He had voted
with both parties on this floor. As
regards Civil Rights, he had de-
n )unced the measure on this floor. He
had opposed it on every principle
He had been elected by men indepeu-
dent of party. He had voted for the
substitute of Mr.. Oaksmith, but he
could not endorse the resolutions of
Mr.. Glenn-they had but little to do
with Civil Rights, but only looked to
party ends, aud he would not endorse
any measure having only this end.
Mr.. Barnett was next trotted ont.
He had a prepared speech that read
very well. It was verv much on the
campaign order, with the slight varla-
ton that he, too, was elected from a
Democratic arty; was ConfeG er4te
soldier, surrendered at AppomattoX,
| and the like. He was a white man. ID
favor of wnite men. opposed to social
| equality, bus would lot impede the
| progress OF the greatest government
| the world ever saw, by aiiyiug himself
with party in opposition to the only
! party that could save it.
/ the next best was Mr. Norment,
| who arose i'll his seat with Il basket OF
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS papers that
had favored Civi! Rights, and Repub-
lican papers that had opposed 1t. Then
came legislative documents to shoN
that a Democratic Legislature had
favored it. He closed this part OF hiF
argument with Lis pet hobby, Horace
! Greel aud Charles Sumner as Dom
ocratic candidates, While on this
subject the following colloquy en-
sued:
Mr., Pinnix-Are you a Hepubh
can
Mr.. Norment-I am not.
Mr. Pinnix-Theu why are you al
ways defending the Kepubhc&n part.
and rasping the Democratic party
Mr.. Norment-Bec2use I aiHaE
favor the right, etc.
Mr.. Plnnix-I would ask the gen
tleman, if there was only white man
party and black mans party III thu
/ ..-.