Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-03-17
THE PASSAGE or THE CTFIL
eal RIGHTS BILL,


MS II passed the Senate at the last scs-
sion Of Congress- that Grant can hard
" be accused of yrcat inconsistency
in giving this measure his signature
after having expressed his hostility to
the former. The distinguished author
of the civil rights bill could not recog-
nizc in this deformity the political leg
acy which he left to the care of the
Republican representatives in Con-
grcss. II is an irritating and mis-
chicvous measure calculated to pro
woke conflicts between the races, but
at the same time comforting not the
slightest substantial benefit on those
for whom It has been passed. 1t will
breed informatiops and malicious pros
ccutions in abundance, no doubt, in
many portions of the country, but il
will not confer on the negroes any so
cial rights which they do not already
possess. On the contrary, prejudices
OF race which cannot be cradicated by
act OF Congress will be quickcned into
new life, and claims OF the negroes to
social privileges which were passed
over in silence will he eagerly chal-
lcnged.
The important section of the bill
aud the one which will be most care
fully studied, Is that which denouncos
heavy penalties against railroad SER
wants, hotel proprietors, restaurant
keepers, and theatrical managers who
shall deny to colored persons the same
privileges and accommodations which
they grant to white people. In many
if not in all the State. the negroes
have enioved equal privileges in most
OF these respects without question II
they have not been willing or able TO
take advantage of them il is not like
" that they will do so under the one
ration Of this law. Railroad tickets
and reserved seats at the opera are
merchantablc commodities. accessible
to all who will pay for them and ques.
tions about race or color arc never
asked But the proportion of colorod
persons who demand the hest rooms
D
in the hotels or the best seats At the
theatre is very small, and the law can.
not effect any change in n social con.
dition which exists through causes
which are altogether beyond its reach.
There will be malicious and frivolous
prosecutions without number for the
violations OF this act. The dockets
of the federal conrts will be cholsed
with suits against hotel and restaurant
keepers and theatrical marugers who
shall cvadc its provisions But the
travelling and amusement-loving pub-
lie will still find means of avoiding so.
cial contacts that are rcpulsiye to
them No social change TO the advan.
tagc of the negro will be produced by
the most vigorous enforcement of this
act On the contrary they viii be de.
barred more rigorously than ever from
the trades. occupations and pursuits
of white people, and thus the measure
which was meant as a kindness by
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