New-York tribune., 1875-03-01
WASHINGTON.

FINAL PASNAtiE OF lHc ClFlb hiuilio Dill"
TuE CLOSING HOURS OF THE SENATE DEBATE-THE
BILL READY FOR THE PRESIDENTS SIGNATURE
THE REPUBLICANS SUCCEED IN THEIR POLICY
OP PASSING TIE MEASURE WITHOUT AMEND
MENT.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUNE]
WASHINGTON. Feb. 2S.-The closing hours OF the
debate in the Senate yesterday the Civil Rights
bill were marked by no enthusiasm or excitement OF
any kind, and only the large preponderance OF
colored people in the galleries showed that any
class legislation was being enacted. The submission
Of the Democrats to the will of the majority making
the result Of the debate foregone conclusion. rem
dered the proceedings throughout dull and I'M
interesting. The action of the Democrats
in compromising with what they considered
an unconstitutional measure in order to husband
their strength for opposition to q second and
moro dangerous attack upon the people of
the South, was perhaps good party policy,
but exhibited no higher craftsmanship
than that which actuates tho Republicans
in legslating for the safety of their party. They
believed the Civil piGhts bill TO h unconstitutional
but IsteI OF Ore eyeu.ing its passage in every pos
sible way, they allowed it to become law
with the mildest of protests, in order that
they may not become wearied to such degree as
not to be able to cope successfully with the Force
or receive amendments, sat calmly listen
ing to those proposed by the Democrats,
and voting them down with undisturbed
equanimity. To amend it was to lose it. Hence
those who have always contended that the clause in
reference to mixed schools was the most
sentil feature, and the fundamental one.
OF the whole scheme Of Civil Rights
silent while what they considered
to be the very foundation upon which the supers
structlon Of equality would rest in future, were
absent from the bill. Senator Boutwell,,
few days ago, in his speech on the
Pnchback case, after referring to mixed
schools as causing community to believe
practically in human equality, said: Therefore, it
is that that provision which has been stricken out
OF the Civil Rights bill in the other House is of
more consequence than all the other provisions of
that bill, and than all the provisions which all the
ingenuity of all the lawyers in both Houses
could frame with reference 10 the future peace
and prosperity of the South" These words were
spoken on Feb. 10, and nine days after the bill
passes the Senate with formal presentation Of the
clause which is " OF more consequence than all the
provisions" and not even word OF protest from the
man who uttered them.
The clause in regard to compelling States to admit
colored people to the jury-box was the ono which
Senators Thurman and Carpenter. whose arguments
remained unanswered and unanswerable. The
clause having been carried, an attempt
was made to have the iron-clad oath repealed.
Tho attempt failed, although it debarred
90 per cent of the best educated aud most worthy
men of the South from sitting jurors, because, as
Mr.. Edmunds said, its enforcement would prevent a
man accused of being conspirator or KIi-Klux
from being tried by jury of his fellow wconspi-
rators. arguing, in effect that q very large
proportion of men at the South are incapable of
rendering just verdict. Senator Upton proposed
to amend the irst section of the bill by striking
out the word "theaters" and inserting
"churchesD This amendment was rejected amid
great laughter from both sides of the chamber,
as il made the clause provide that all persons shall be
entitled to equal enjoyment Of the accommodation,
Sc Of inns, public conveyances, on Land or water,
churches and other places of public amusement
Upon the passage OF the bil the Yeas were 3S and
the Nays, 20. Senators Carpenter, Ferry of Con-
nectcut, Hamilton OF Texas, Lewis, ScburZ, Spraguc
and Upton voted in the negative. The bill was
passed without amendment and only requires the
Presidents signature to become "a law.