The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-10-23
Express Their Opinion on the
Decision of the United
States Supreme
Court,
Which Declares the Civil
Rights Bill to be Un-
constitutional.
An Interesting Interview with
Sedalia Lawyers ON the
Recent Decision.

The decision of the supreme court of tn,
United States on the 18th inst declarin,
the unconstitutionaliiy of the civil right
bill, caused futter of excitement all ovel
the country, and BAZOO reporter yester
day startedtout to &c: the opinions of TIT
leading attorneys OF Sedalia in the premises
some of whom were found, while other,
were either absent from the city or could
not be run down by the news gstherer.
The law was passed some years ago, and
has been the cause Of no little consideration
1t the hands Of the people
and while the general tenor of the act oil
congress referred to has produced very Lit.
tie disturbance throughout the land, YET
this decision declaring its annullity brings
the matter prominently before the public
again, and hence the following brief recital
Of the facts attending the passage of the
act Ii published in this mornings BAzoo.
At the preceding session of the Forty
third congress the bill then known as
the force bill had been re-
committed to the house judiciary COM
mitise, of which Benz F. Butler was chair
man. On January q, 1875, Butler moved
that the judiciary committee be discharged
from further consideration of the bill, and
that it be brought before the house. This
motion gave rise to the memorable dead
lock that lasted forty-six hours, during
which time there were seventy-seven roll
calls. Butler lead the republican
forces, and Sam Randall, assisted by
Jim Blaine. led the opposition.
On February LIST, the republicans, by an
arbitrary exercise of power, amended the
rules SO as to cut of dilatory motions
Two days later the force bill was brought
before the house and passed by vote of
I62 to Is. There were eleven southern re-
publicsns and William Waller Phelps, OF
New Jersey, who voted with The democrats
in opposition. Among the southern re-
publicans who thus voted were E. o. STAN
ard and Ira B. Hide, of Missouri. The
late Horace Maynard, of Tennessee, was
paired against the bill.
On February 18th Senator Edmunds,
chairman OF the judiciary committee, re-
ported the bill to the senate. where it was
passed the same day by vote of 3S to rs.
The bill wss approved by President Grant,
and became a Law March LIST.
The first attorney met by the reporter
yesterday Was Mr.. E. ]. Smith, who in an
swer to the interrogation put to him, re-
piled, in substance, IS follows: "Well, sir,
it is decision of the supreme court of the
United Stxlesy and l am not pre-
prepared TO- criticise that decision, nor
neither is any other man in Sedaiia. So
far rs the effect of this decision throughout
the country is concerned, / do not believe
it will be even perceptible. The bill has
about run its course, anyway. Bradley rem
dered the decision of the court, which has
q decided democratic tendency, end think |
that party would now do we'll to cease
abusing that dignitary for his connection |
with the electoral commission business"
and with broad smile upon bis face Mr.. |
Smith took his leave of the Scribe
The next place visited was the Office of
Judge w. S. Shirk and City Attorney V.
E. Shaw. The Judge being engaged with
q client, Attorney Shaw was questioned as
to what he thought of the action of the su-
preme court In the matter and the proba-
bic effect of the decision. -.,..q -.
81 have given the matter no thought"
replied Mr.. Shaw. In fact just at this
time, l am not In the
proper frame of mind to worry over
court decisions, or anything else of that
character. However, do you exchange with
The Globe Democrat would like the
society editor of that paper to see the
BAzoo.' Realizing the fact that,
from the abundance OF the heart the
mouth spesketh," Mr.. Shaw was not furth-
II disturbed, and the reporter turned his
to Judge Shirk, who had en-
tered the room. 49, ( e.,.,, ,yt. --
81 cannot see what the decision was
based npon." remarked Judge Shirk. How.
ever, have not as yet read it. l might
'ay though that the law was
never practically enforced, and this deci-
zion will have no marked, effect in the
country. 1t was passed in the first place
BY q set of theorists, who never intended
'trict social equality, but merely intended
% give the negro his legal right which
,old to be correct" -,,.g Lfs. ia. r.
The Office of B. G. Wilkerson was the
,ext place visited, and as usual, Mr.. w. L
expressed his absolute horror of newspaper
reporters, stating that they always
,et things mixed : and = very rarely {
Erite IN interview correctly. "There |
would be about as much sense in me under
aking to correctly report a complicated
scientific question, As for man not yersed !
n the law to properly write up and make
plain the facts connected with this matter.
No, sir, would rather not express my G
opinion for publication in reference to the
action of the supreme court as to the con-
of the civil rights bill"
The reporter next went in search of
Hon. George F. Longan, Pettis county
representative in the state Legislature. q
Ar. L. stated that he had not read the de- s
ision, bat felt assured that the effect would
;suse no unusual attention: He. adheres
o the opinion that the intelligent colored
nan has no desire for social equality, and 7
70 far as their legal rights are concerned, t
hey are nov, and always will be protected.
As to the legal foundation of the decisions G
am not postea, for, as l. said before, l t
nave not read il in vwa, ri. 60. ,os a
Mr.. p. a. Sangree had not seen the decis- 1
on and refused to be interviewed. C
"What is your opinion aqi of the action Of y
Be suPssppe court . i1 declaring the civil q
T. 8 4 3Nt