The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-06-15

SENATE.

WASHINGTON, June 14.-On motion of
MIR. Beck, in view of the late stage of the
session. only House bills favorably report
ed by the Senate committee. were consid-
cred, the object being to secure their pas
sage at this session rather than to pass
Senate bills which could not b, ted on
in the House.
The bill paying 81 600 cut of the trust
funds Of the Cheyennes and Arapahoe
Indians to Amanda McCook, of Iowa,
captured and kept prisoner two years By
them, passed. A number of pension bills
passed.
The morning hour having expired, the
Mexican pension bill was Informally laid
aside to allow Mr.. Window to speak upon
the Exodus Committee report.
He ridiculed the idea that the Repub-
lican party had encouraged the exodus.
There was no evidence supporting MIR.
Voorhees, allegation, that secret political
emigration societies existed. Negroes
were brought from the south to testify
that they were satisfied and voted as they
pleased. but they always admitted upon
being pressed that it was safest to vote
the Democratic ticket. He reviewed the
testimony aud concluded that the exodus
was due to the desire of the negroes to
leave the country where, though it was
we'll suited to them, they could not enjoy
personal safety and political rights, and
go to country where they could live on
an equality with other men before the law.
Mr.. Window knew that in expressing the
accused OF faunting the bloody
shirt but this could not deter him
from his duty. The movement from North
Carolina was principally due to the unjust
operations OF the laws, the denial of fjustice,
deficient educational facilities and memory
of past violence, which might be removed.
Mr.. Window quoted evidence to support
bis allegation that political violence against
the negro prevailed in Louisiana and Miss
issippi, and that G contract system existed
which practically amounted to slavery.
A testimony, he added, indicates that
the exodus is but in its infancy and will
continue and grow unless the negro is
treated fairly,
Mr. Lamar replied to Mr. Window with
reluctance, because it would be Depart
ure from the purpose he had formed not
to speak upon any subject at this session
OF Congress. Mr.. Lamar spoke with
evident difficulty aud expressed regret
at being unable to proceed further. In
the course of his speech Mr.. Lamar
said the Southern people would never
object to natural and healthy emigrs ton,
and even the present movement, mis-
called exodus, would be beneficial if only
in making the negro realize that his
easy life in the South is preferable than
for him to struggle for the existence he
would have to make in the colder North.
He wished to leave the blacks as per
fectly free as every American would be
to go where they please. He believed
for every one that went North another
Iaborer would emigrate South. The
blacks were not the best laborers
in every respect. but for the peculiar work
of the South they were peculiarly fitted,
more so than for the North. The Exodus
was not indicative of oppression. Fifty
thousand negroes had moved into Mississ
iDpi since the war. Perhaps $4,000 had
gone out. Lamar cited in support of his
statements of the actual condition of affairs
in the Southern States. Sir George Camp
Dell, M. p, Bishop Simpson. Rev. Dir.
Hatfield. Episcopalian, New York; Rev,
7. DeWitf Talma2e and q neral Grant in
his recent address. and femarked. that the
Congressional reports for Southern affairs
had always been distorted by the fact
that the committees went down there with
the express intention of uncovering every.
thing Objectionable and ignoring every
alleviating feature No society in the North
could withstand such Investigation. No
work of the finest art or the noblest nature
could stand the test of having its bsauti-
full parks covered by screen and defects
magnified hundred fald under focus of
the glare of light.
The conference report on the agricul-
tural appropriation bill was adopted.
Adjourned.