The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-01-29

tigated the matter assigned to them by
House Resolution No. %, and while
we find that Mr.. Williams was IN
suited in the manner set forth IN the
resolution at the restaurant OF Mr..
Lawrence Beck, by his employees, IN
his absence, Mr.. Beck disclaims any
Intentional insult to the Hon. Geo.
w. Williams, or to this House, and
has personally and in company with
the parties present at the time of the
insult, publicly apologized to Mr.. Will
lsams, to the satisfaction of that gen.
tleman as far as he is personally con-
cerned.
"We unite with majority of the
committee in condemning discrimina-
ton against any member of this House,
or other person, on account OF race,
color or previous condition OF servl-
tude, but in this instance we consider
that the dignity of the House has
been sustained by the apology offered,
and recommend that all further ques-
tions, if there be any such, growing
out of this case, he remanded to the
operation of existing laws.
John j. HOPKINS, Committee.
The question then being upon the
substitution OF. the minority report for
the majority report, Mr. Bloom Dem
ocrat) demanded the ayes and nays.
Mr.. Williams here rose to ques-
ton of privilege, and stated his ques-
ton as follows:
Mr.. Williams said:
'sMR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10
gentleman upon this floor more sin
cerely regrets the nece: sity for the
report just read, or for my rising to a
question of privilege, than myself. [
would be be false to the interests of
the race to which [ am bound by ties
Of consanguinity, false to principles
of the good people of Hamilton coun-
ty, false to the instincts of our COM
mon manhood, and poor indeed in
gratitude, if [ did not, upon the
threshold of this question, declare my
thankfulness to that noble sentiment
of the Republican party that gives me
seat upon this floor, and to compli-
ment this House upon its prompt ac-
ton in seeking to vindicate my rights
as member Of this honorable body.
''Mr-Bec says he has apologized'
to me; that he regrets the affair; that
if he had been present | would have
been accommodated; that he had in
tended to instruct his servants to wait
on me if | came in.
Il accept the apology so far as it
applies to me. | understand that Mr..
Beck does discriminate on account of
color; that he does not accommodate
colored people; but because | am a
member of this honorable body. am
to be tolerated in the future. | can
not allow this opportunity to pass
without condemning this absurd and
irrational prejudice against color.
speak not for myself, but for the race
[ represent.
Happily for this country, the Re-
publican party, first in the person of
the Anti-Slavery party, then in the
flames of direful conflict, and lat
terly by legislation, has made it posi-
BILE for me to speak here to-day In
condemnation of the old obsolete doc
trine of the Democratic party that "a
negro has no rights that a white man
is bound to respect.
THE times have changed. It is a
happy omen to notice that the press
of the State, the people and society
have pronounced in severe terms
against this lingering relic of Demo-
cratic prescription and exclusiveness
''Mr. Beck has been tried at the ban
of public opinion and adjudged guilty
of practicing principle at variance
with the new order of things, and
manifestly out of place in this. en-
Iightened age.
Il have no desire to manifest an
ugly spirit. It is sufficient to know
that the people of this great country
do not-yea, will not tolerate an un-
hallowed prejudice. | leave Mr. Beck
to his own remorse; and beg him tc
consider whether in the Capitol city
Of this great State he can afford tc
cling to prejudice that the people
pronounce insane and unjust"
The roll was then called, and the
motion to substitute was rejected by {
vote of 33 yeas to so nays, it being {
strict party vote, the Democrats vot
ing aye and the Republicans contra
The question of the adoption of tht
majority report was then put, and wa'
adopted by viva voce vote.
Thus the all-official action in tn.
matter is probably settled, although
it is still topic of conversation.