Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-02-19

but that can keep step to the music ofthe
Union"
1t NAV be rather late for further refe-
renee TO the closing scenes on the passage
OF the
CIVIL RIGHTS BILL,
but l wish to present some incidents Of
that day. General Shanks, having obtain
ed the door, presented the civil rights
plank of the National Democratic Conven-
ton of 1872. and moved its adoption as a
preamble to the pending bill. as follows:
"WHEREAS, 1t is essential to Just go
vernmeut that we recognize the equality of
all men before the law. and hold that it is
the duty of the Government in its dealings
with the people to mete out equal and eX
act Justice to all, of whatever nationality.
race, color. persuasion, religious Of political.
and it being the appropriate object OF le
gislation TO enact fundamental principles
into law; therefore, &c.
The Democrats saw that hitter pill was
about to be presented to them, not quite SO
palatable as it was in 1872. when 1t was
put forth by their national convention as
trap to catch votes for Horace Greely, and
they writhed and squirmed in bitter agony.
Mr.. Shanks was interrupted by Mr.. NIB
lack, Dem, of Indiana, who rose and beg
yed the privilege of saying word
Mr.. Shanks-''Do not take my time 8; l
want to say sume good things for your
party"
Mr.. Niblack-''I only want to say that
when the Democratic party adopted that
resolution it had been intimlJated by the
Cincinnati COnvention.''
Mr.. Garfield. Rep, then offered the mi
nority report on the ku-Klux investigation,
made by Democrats, wherein the theory OF
white mans party, and the doctrine of the
dOminancy of the white race as exclusively
the governing power IN this government, Is
boldly put forth. He gave this as an off
cial declaration Of leading Democrats, in
contrast with the declaration of the Demo
cratic National Convention Of 1872. This
caused the old Bourbon element To sQrm
again. and Sunset Sullivan Cox and Mr.
Beck, of Kentucky, said they repudiated
the doctrine, while John Brown, 1.-THE
younger said, in an under tone. that the
Democrats of the South would stand by the
doctrine there enunciated. The vote on
the adoption of the preamble, which was
yeas 211, nays 26, shows that he uttered
the truth, and that upon the doctrine of the
preamble the Democratic party are now di
vided, and that they may hereafter divide
upon it.
AS there are n great many requests made
for
AGRICULTURAL REPORTS,
/ would inform your readers that since the
Report Of 1871, there has been none print
ed for distribution. Our agricultural
friends are deprived of this valuable book
5y the abolition of the frauking privilege,
for on the repeal of that law Congress made
no appropriation to enable the COmmissio-
ner of Agriculture TO print his report, con-
sequently none have been issued f0rthe be-
netit of the public. The people must blame
themselves for this, for it was their clamor,
ard demand for the repeal of the frankng
privilege, that did the business. Among
the amendments to the Pest Office appro-
priatiOn bill that passed the House on
Thursday last, in Committee of the Whole,
was one admitting public documents and
seeds TO PASS IS free matter in the mails.
but, unfortunately, when submitted to the
House, on a demand Of the yeas aud nays,
it was defeated by decided vote, evidenc-
ing that members of Congress were fearful
of violating the wishes of their constitu-
ents.
THE TARIFF BILL
which is now under consideration in the
House, proposes 10 restore the ten per cent.
reduction, which in 1872 was unaGvisedlv
taken off the tariff duties. upon iron and
steel. and on all manufactures of iron and
steel, cotton. &C.. of course meets the OPP
position of all free traders, who instructive
ly oppose protection to American industry,
and act upon the principle that our own
manufacturers, mechanics. and working
| men should be exposed to unprotected com
petition with the pauper labor of England.
Strange enough. i'll this contest, Judge
Kelley, Of our State. who by reason of his
position upon the Committee of Ways and
Means. has been regarded as the especial
exponent Of Pennsylvania favOrile doc
true of protection. is found acting in con-
cert with the iiercest opponents Of the
American system. This action of his can
only be accounted for in that he has be-
come soured because his favorite hobby,
the 3 90 convertible bond bill failed TO pass
either the House or Senate.
As this will probably be my last letter to
you from Washington during this session
of Congress. cannot close without max
ing reference To our worthy member,
HON. JOHN II. PACKER.
The Committee on Post Offices. &C., of
which he is chairman, has had vast
amount of business before it this winter,
and have perfected some bills, which they
expect to have an opportunity TO report in
few days, Of great Importance TO the
country. particularly one relative to postal
cars. which will save one million dollars an
nually t. tie p. o. Department. Mr.. Pack
er is tn, same hard worker here that he is
at home anu where the interests of his peo
pie are concerned, he sacrifices personal
considerations for their benefit
Yours, Frarernally,
II. ID. W.