Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-13
out the necessity of following Fthe recon-
mendation of tho secretary of the treas

out the necessity of following Fthe recon
mendation of tho secretary of the treas
ury.
Senator Sherman said he had no obiec-
ton whatever to the resolution calling for
the inform alton, but the published state
ments relating to the sinking fund CON
tains all the material necessary from
which to derive the particulars. The gen.
tleman from Kentucky, (Beck) desires at
the present rate of the sinking fund to pay
off the national debt in about four teen
years. He deemed the policy good one,
and which preserved the sinking fund in
tact,and there should be no int rcuption of
that policy except under the extraordinary
pressure which should be only temporary
and at the earliest moment and perseyered
until the public debt was paid off to the
uttermost farthing.
Senator Beck in reply, said, he desired
no action or legislation to injure the pub
lie faith or credit, but on the contrary, he
wanted to maintain it. But to do SO by
taxation for legitimate purposes, and not
for the purpose of accommodating money at
the rate of S50,00O,OOO per year. or advan
cling the prospects of any man to nomi-
nation.
Bayard moved an amendment to the
resolution SO that he may call also for the
report showing under precisely what pro-
visions Of the law the reduction of the
public debt has been effected.
Senator Plumb thought the sinking
fund at the present time was mere atten-
ton to bookkeeping. The people were
anxious that the debt be paid off as rapid
~ as possible. They don't need to keep
up the debt for the purpose of maintain
ing the national banking system. The na-
tional banking system so far as its rela-
tons With the currency is concerned, is
doomed with extinction OF the national
debt, because the demands of the country
for currency is constantly 1npreasing. He
held it as the part of good Judgment and
patriotism TO begin to produce something
to take the place Of the present national
banking system.
The amendment of Bayard was agreed
to, and the resolution as amended was
agreed to.
Senator Wilson called up his joint reso-
luton, providing for the amendment 10
the constitution relating to tie civil rights
Of citizsns, and moved their reference to
the committee on Judiciary. The resolu-
ton proposes the following article in the
amendment to be numbered article 16.
Congress shall have power, by appropriate
legislation, to protect any citizen of the
United States in tie exercise aud enjoy
ment of the rig hts, privileges and immu
mites, and to assure them equal protection
Of the laws.
Senator Wilson addressed the senate in
support Of the resolution He revieEd the
civil rights legislation, which he said rem
dered necessary thefact that the constitution
Il 81 kkLo
of the United States recently declared this
legislation OF congress concorstitution-
ally void, az q had held it in q state action.
that it is prohibited by the constitution is
not individual invasion of individual
rights. He quoted at length from the
cases decided by that court, and combatted
the doctriGe which led to its conclusion.
According to this theory all q state has to
do Is to remain inert, and TO refuse protec-
ton 10 8 citiz5n and the nation cannot
hell him. and this "a called equal protec-
ton and the enforcement of the constitu-
tioEal amen iments. The most that the
constitution ard laws can do, is 10 assure
that each citizen has al equal chance with
all others to reach those ends which the
government IS organized to promote, but
no citzen has an equal chance who has
not equal protection: Il is his rig ht to
possess both. It IS the duty of the gov
eminent to assure both, for justice is the
foundation of the government.
Senator Garland said the inconsistency
of the recent decision of the supreme
court Yves not to BIS found in the opinion
of the majority Of that court but in that
'ofthe minority, namely, justice.
Senator Harlan said, if any people of
this country had not equal protection of
the laws he was in favor of giving it to
them, but how far congress could go in
throttling the state ne was not now pre-
pared. to say, but he hoped he would be
prepared when the proposition came up
for debate. The resolution was referred
TO the judiciary committee.
After an executive session the senate ad
journed.