Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-03-22
TESTING THAT LAW.
Chicago People will Not Eat wit
Negroes

OmACdSO II CUHAo VIII MOI Eat WIFI
Negroes.
From the Chicago Tribune. l4th.l
The colored people, or certain of
them, seem determined to test the prac-
tical workings of the civil rights law.
The latest victim is Michael Burke, of
the well known Burke European Hotel,
on Madison street Yesterday morning,
between I and 8 o'clock. a well-dressed
and spruce looking colored gentleman
with an Irish name-Thomas Mckee
entered Mr.. Burke's restaurant, while
that gentleman was acting as cashier,
and took a seat complacently at one OF
the tidy tables Reckoning to one of
the colored walters, he ordered break
fsst-broiled steak, fried potatoes, toast
and coffee. His colored brother of the
impaculate apron looked at him with a
furtive glance, and then over to Mr..
Burke, who had observed the object Of
so much legislation when he came in.
The darky waiter smiled perceptibly
winked knowingly at Mr.. Mckee, looked
wistfully at Mr.. Burke, aud then walked
up to the latter at the cashiers desk,
Then
THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUE EEsUED:
Waiter-Well, Mister Burke, shall
wait on him?
Burke-No, sir; you needn't act in any
halfway manner in this matter; It is not
consistent with our business to serve the
gentleman. Tell him he cannot be
served here.
Waterfall right. sir.
And the waiter tripped over to the
waiting guest and informed him that he
could not serve him. Mckee arose and
quietly departed. He went straight to
United States Commissioner Hoyne' s
office, and, on the arrival OF that official
swore out "a warrant charging Mr.. Burke
with a violation of the civil rights law
in refusing to serve him with food and
drink. The warrant was quickly served
and promptly answered to by Mr.. Burke.
The Commissioner was compelled to con-
tinue the hearing until Tuesday after
noon at 2 o clock, because there was no
official copy Of the law in the city. 1t
is expected that copy will be here by
Monday.
Unlike the Aldermanic Whyland, Mr..
Burke proposes to test the constitution
ality Of the law which dictates to him
the conduct of his business. In brief
interview with Tribune reporter yester.
day, the following conversation ensued
Reporter-Mr. Burke, have learned
of your arrest for an alleged violation OF
the new civil rights law, and desire to
learn what you have to say in regard
TO it,
Mr.. Burke-Yes, was summoned be
fore Mr.. Hoyne, and the matter was con-
tinued.
R-Did you refuse to serve Mckee,
B.-Certainly | did The waiter came
to me when he gave his order, and | told
him not to serve him.
Ron what groundl
B.-If / should serve colored people
here NY business would be ruined l
have probably the best class OF patrons
in the city, and do fine business, but il
L sn0uld serve colored people mere i
would lose it. cannot afford to let my
business 60 down for the sake of serving
a few colored men, and those coming
here fertile sake of testing this new law.
There are some white people | would
not serve, and if | did it would injure
my business.
R.-Well, do you propose to make this
q test case2
B,--I do, aud shall employ some Of
the a5lest counsel in the city to defend
me. wH
R.-Do you intend to refuse all col
ored persons who come here for a square
mealY
B.-Yes; l am not going about this
matter in any half way manner /
,IbiDk it is better to act in o definite and
decided way than to 60 beating around
the busn. will not serve colored men
unless forced 70 do SO.
This settled it, and the reporter left.