The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-01
co N CT r E S S..
The Silver Currency Bill Passed
by the House.
THE MISSISSIPPI INQUIRY
Relative Position Of the Whites
and Blacks.
NULLITY OF THE ENFORCEMENT ACT.



WASHINGTON. March 81, 1876.
Petitions against the proposed changes in tho Tariff
laws introduced by Mr.. Mccreery, OF Kentucky
Mr.. Sherman of Ohio; Mr.. Conklng, of New York,
and Mr.. Wallace, of Pennsylvania, all OF which
referred to the Committee Finance.
By Mr. SARGENT, (rep.) OF GAIA petition from the
Baptists of San Francisco praying the adoption OF a
constitutional amendment against the Appropriation OF
my money IN the interests OF any religious sects
Mr.. HITCHCOCK, trep) or Neb., from the Committee
District OF Columbia reported iavorably upon bill
amendatory of the acts relating to reform schools.
Placed on the calendar.
by Mr.. ANTHONY, (rep) of r. la joint rule pro-
viding that the General Appropriation bills shall be
confined to appropriations to conform to existing laws
He said he offered this resolution vicious
legislation, which had long been a source OF complaint
Ordered to be printed and referred to the Committee
on Rules
BY Mr.. CAMERON (rep) or Wis.-The petition Of J.
W. Thorp and others praying for uniform duty on
crockery ware. Referred to the Committee on
Finance
THE MISSISSIPPI INVESTIGATION.
The morning hour having expired the Chair laid be-
fore the Senate the Mississippi resolution the unn
ished business which Mr.. BRUCE rcp.) OF Miss,
look the floor He said he had hoped that occasion
would compel him speak again, but silence
1t this time a derelicton of duty. He desired to
address himself to the importance of the pending
luton. Iu 1878 the republicans carried Mississippi by
10000 majority. Last year the democrats claimed to
carry the State by 10000 reputed gain of SO, 000
How came 1t that such change was effected and
class of officials elected who msrcpresented the
people He admitted that in State like New
York, where the press potent and the
telegraph and other facilities OF intelligence in
such liberal use, changes nearly marvellous
sometimes take place. But IN Mississippi IT was differ
emit it was sparsey populated IN many places, and did
nnf nnssas mu nrtV man at ar
The colored people represented nineteen twenteths of
the population, and were mostly republican voters
Then why this change in the popular votey In iazoo
county the republicans carried the election in 1878 by
q large majority. while last ail, only votes
the republican ticket and he had been assured
that OF them cast by democrats in derison
they asserting that the republicans ought TO have
little show. The evidence Will show that in many
parts OF the State violence ana intimidation used
and what was known as the White League was to
blame Tor much OF this class OF ourages notable
feature of the outrages and violence its application
10 colored citizens The Emancipation Proclamation
gave 900 900 citizens TO the country without homes
franchise lie gave statistics show the thriltness of
roored people and how they had improved the polti
cal privileges that had been bestowed upon them, and
claimed that charge could be brought against them
for misuse OF their rights. Tho State debt less
than $500 0U0 and the taxes were light. The judicial
statistics show that there has been no abuse OF prvi
ege there. II they had misused the power intrusted
TO them there might be cause of complaint; but
then the remedy lies in the ballot and in the shot
gun not in fraud and violence. The colored people, no
SAID, opposed TO the ''coor line" but they must
be protected and guaranteed IN the enjoyment OF all
their privileges and rights They ask such an In.
vestigaton as will protect them in their rights and
enable them to pursue their vocatlons IN peaceful
and quiet manner.
Mr.. KEY, dem OF Tenn, glad the late war was
fought and with. The South not wholly
10 blame in the Slavery existed many ago,
and was protected by the constitution He spoke
highly OF the colored people and their fidelity TO the
whites during the and the people of his State were
willing to protect them and aid them. The South was
poor aud weak and wanted peace. II was time 10 for
get that there was South or North. The war was
over, and the conquerors had right to ENJOY the
mt that the terms granted by the VIC
tors were much more liberal and mag
unanimous than he expected He
to have the South acquesce IN tho result and accept
the situation. Could not the North, he asked. bear
with them and help them to overcome their past dim
cutics and make this a land OF peace and pros
periiy? He should vote Tor the resolution, even
though he should be the only member Of his party to
do II this OF affairs existed the parties ought
to be punished, and he did not wish TO have 1t said
that he was In favor OF protecting them, but no did
not think the reports Mere rue ye. he WAS Willing TO
highly concihatory and dispass ionate.
Mr. cHRrsriAscY, (rep) OF Mich, reviewed the de-
claimed IL did admit OF the construction placed
upon it by the senator from Delaware (ir. Bayardl
He did not agree with that decision, although he
not prepared to speak fully upon II from the slight
nation he had been able to give IT, He had great
confidence IN the ability OF the Judges OF that Court
lie iurtner reviewed the remarks of Mr. Bayard,
which he dssented
Mr MERRMoS, (dem.) OF n. c., opposed the Misss.
sppl resolution He moved TO amend the preamble
folows.-
Whereas IT alleged that the election in Mississippi
lin 1871 Tor members of Congress and State officers
members of the Legislature characterized by
great frauds, &c. He moved 10 strike out The words
state officers and members OF the Legislature lie
opposed the power of the Senate raise such
mittee, and devoted his argument mainly TO the
stu,onalty OF such power He knew but little about
the alleged outrages Mississippi but far his
knowledge EXTENDED he did not believe any such rres
uarites existed. He claimed that the object OF this
proposed investigation TO manufacture political
capital for the coming November election. The Senate
he said, had such power to raise any such commit
The Senate had power, constitutional or
otherwise, to inquire into the election of Mississippi
The Senate had no power TO undertake that.
Mr.. FRRLIxGBuYsES, trcp.) OF n j., said that when
the right suffrage had been conferred upon ind
vidual he ought have that right guaranteed 10 him.
aud should be protected in the right The Senator
from North Carolina he said, had objected 10 that and
said the Supreme Court had decided but he begged
10 diier from the Senator. That question had never
pet come before that tribunal He claimed that in this
country, OF all Others the voter should be protected
IN his right vote. and Congress had tho power TO
protect HIM this resolution and raisc this
committee for this purpose
Mr.. BAyARp, OF Delaware. further opposed the ap-
pontment OF this committee.
The subject WIS further discussed by Mr.. frelng-
huysen favor Of 1t. and Messrs- Herman, Thurman
and Salisbury in opposition TO IL The question was
taken the resolution offered by Mr. Chrstiancy
substitute, and II was passed by vote OF ~ yeas 10 ~
nays
The question then taken the amendment OF
Mr. Merrimon 10 the preamble TO strike out the words
estate officers and members Of the Legislature" aud
II was lost by a vote OF 10 yeas to 20 nays
The question then REQUIRED on the adoption OF the
preamble, aud IL was adopted-yeas %, nays 10
Tho Senate then, at six I. ~, adjourned until
Monday next
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1870
Mr. Cox, tdem.) n. ", presented memorial from
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