Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-01
Congressional Proceedings.
SENATE.
Washington, February 81.

/ proceeded I %
O'Clock this evening. The floor was then yielded
| to Ferry of Conn.,, who delivered an eulogy on
| the late Senator Buckingham.
| Anthony, from the conference committee on the
| bill to print the report of r. w. Raymond, on
mining statistics, made a report which agreed
| to.
He also reported favorably from the committee
on printing resolution to print the report OF the
Smithsonian Institute for 1874
Also to preserve manuscript returns OF the LIST
and 9Th census.
Also to print the print the report of Prot. Hay
den on the geological ond geographical surveys OF
the territories.
Agreed to.
Also reported favorably on the resolution to
print additional copies of the report OF the COM
missioner of education; but objection was made
to its present consideration, and consequently it
was laid over.
Morrill, of Maine reported back the petition of
j. }. Laurie of Georgia, for an appropriation to
aid such colored persons as may desire to emigrae
to Liberia, and the committee was discharged
from its further duties.
He also reported back numerous memorials
against annulling the Pacific Mail contract, and
the committee was discharged from their further
consideration this subject having been disposed Of
He also reported favorably on the House bill to
provide for the payment of certain employees Of
the House Of Representatives.
Passed.
Also from the same committee the House bill
repeating section of the consular and diplomatic
appropriation bill, approved February Y, 1873,
with an amendment providing that it shall be the
duty of all consular officers of the United States
hereafter to inspect goods wares and merchan-
disc offered for certificate, shipped from countries
adjacent to the United States with view to veri
fly the account Of the manifest of the same.
Sargent, of California, said he desired some ex-
PLANTATION of this bill. If its cffec. was to lift off
the present restraint on smuggling across the
frontier it should not be passed with the present
facilities for transporting goods across the frontier
without the payment Of duties. The government
had lost from to two millions Of dollars year.
In some investigations by the committee on appro-
priations it out indirectly that the resources
of the government were falling Oft. He believed
the government would lose millions of dollars I'M
til by experience it should be shown that the sys
TEN Of detectives to prevent smuggling must be
| restored. The legislation abolshing rushed
through in haste. The sundry civil appropriation
bill was being loaded down with just, such amend
ments, reforming rather detoIming all the laws,
and when that bill came before the Senate he
would oppose them.
| Mr.. Morrill, of VT said the bill reeded further
consideration.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, it was referred to
Com on Commerce.
The civil rights bill was taken up.
Mr.. Carpenter made long speech. He said OF
| the negroes whom this bill was supposed to bene-
fit These people have manifested degree of
moderation and amiability, thirst for knowledge
desire for moral Improvement and a respect for
gained for them the respect of all rejecting and
candid persons But haste is not always speed,
and especially is this true Of the attempts to
coerce sentiment or suppress prejudice. This can
only be accomplished by time, kind entreaty, rea-
son and argument, and all experience demon
strates that every unavaling attempt to force men
into compliance with social, religious or political
dogmas has the effect to postpone the end desired
Ii this bill when passed through the forms OF
enactment and be declared unconstitutional and
aIoro ITO thr and do a,rnII
and there is class of citizens who have great
an interest the coored citizens in preserving in
full force every provision of the constitution.
Their rights are secured by that instrument, and
against any infringement Of its provisions they
should be the first to protest.
He dwelt at length upon what he claimed to be
the loyal objections to the bill, and said the Su-
preme Court of the United States in two well con-
sidered discussions, have settled the principles
upon which the validity of this bill must rest, and
every circuit court in which suit may be com.
menced under its provisions will be compelled in
proper Judicial subordination, to rule against a
recovery. Its only effect therefore, will be to in
volve the colored man in litigation in which he is
sure to be defeated, keeping the promise to his
ear and breaking it to his hope. From the con-
siderations have briefly stated, am compelled
to vote against the bill. | can understand how
orator like the Senator from Indiana could iniamc
the passion Of popular assembly, and rally it to
support the provisions of the bill, but confess
my astouishment and sorrow that he can carry
along with him the highest court of the land, the
Senate of the United States, and pass this bill
throughout all the forms of enactment. am
consolcd, however, by the confidence that if it
becomes law the judicial courts will intervene to
yindicate the constitution.
At the conclusion of his speech brief coloquy
took place between him and Morton, the latter
| repeating his argument Of yesterday, that the ex
| clusion Of colorcd men from the jury box was
denial of the rights and privileges guaranteed
them by the 18th amendment.
Gordon, of Georgia, said if the Senator could
point 10 any law of any Southern States which
prohibited coored men from sitting on jures-
Patterson Of South Carolina, inquired if any
colored men could sit on jury in Georgia.
Gordon said that any man could sit on jury in
that State who was upright and intelligent
Patterson SAID it was fact that no colored men
ever occupied seats in the jury box in Georgia.
Gordon.-Probably the Senator is better in
formed than am about Georgia. / say that col
ored men have served on the jury there.
Patterson enquired when and where they had
served.
Gordon.-Judge Sehley, enc of our judges, has
had colored jurors.
Patterson.-ls he democrats
Gordon.--He is democrat
Eaton, of Conn.,, inquired if cooIed men were
allowed on juries in Indiana.
MOrton.-I understand they are.
Eaton.-When and where:
Morton.-Well, can't say. have not practiced
law in Indiana for some years. (Laughtcr)
Eaton then explained how jurors were selected
in his own State, and said the passage of such u
bill this would be utterly useless. 1t would
not compel persons whose duty it was to select col
ored persons. Men were selected there according
to their fitness.
Motion said it would not make men of the same
political faith as the Senator (Eaton) select them,
but men of different political faith now do 1t.
Mr.. Eaton said he did not say that men of his
political faith would not do it, but that the law
wouldn compel them to do it.
NT, '