The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-13

ommendation of the Secretary of the Urea
sury.
Mr.. Sherman said he had no objection
whatever to the resolution calling for in
| formation, but published statements relat-
ing to the sinking fund contain all the ma
terial necessary from which to derive the par
ticulars the gentleman from Kentucky
| (Beck) desires. Al the present rate, the
sinking fund would pay off the national
debt in about fourteen years. He believed
the policy good one which preserved the
sinking fund intact There should be no in
! terruption of that policy except under ex-
traordinary pressure which should be only
temporary, and resumed at the earliest mo-
ment and persevered in until the public
debt was paid off to the utmost farthing.
Mr.. Beck, in reply, said he desired no action
or legislation that would iniure public
faith or credit, but on the contrary
wanted to maintain it, but to do so by taxa
ton for Legitimate purposes, not for the pur-
pose of accommodating money at the rate of
$50 000 900 year, or advancing the prospects
of any man to nomination.
Mr. Bayard moved an amendment to the
resolution, to call also for report show
ing under the present law what provisions
for reduction of the public debt had been
effected.
Mr.. Plumb thought the sinking fund at
the present time a mere matter of book
keeping. The people are anxious for the
bit to be paid off as rapidly as possible.
They do not need to keep up the debt for the
purpose of maintaining national banking
system, The national banking system, so far
as its relations to the currency are concerned,
is doomed with the extinction of the national
debt, because the demands of the country
for currency are constantly increasing He
held it to be the part of good Judgment and
patriotism to begin to provide something to
take the place of the present national bank
ing system.
The amendment of Mr.. Bayard was agreed
to. and the resolution, as amended, agreed
to-
Mr.. Wilson called up his joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the con-
sttution relating to the civil rights
of citizens, and moved its refer
ence to the committee on judiciary. The
resolution proposes the following article of
amendment, to be numbered article 16:
Congress shall have the power. by appro-
pirate legislation, to protect citizens of the
United States in the exercise and enjoyment
of rights, privileges and immunites, and as
sure them equal protection of the laws" Mr..
Wilson addressed the Senate in support of
the resolution He reviewed the civil-rights
legislation which, he said, was rendered neces
sary by the fact that the constitution could not
enforce itself; but the Supreme Court of the
United States recently declared this legsla-
ton of Congress unconstitutional and void,
and had held ii is a State ac-
ton that is prescribed by the
constitution, not an individual
invasion of individual rights. He quoted at
length from the cases decided by that court,
and combatted the doctrine that led to its
conclusion. According to this theory all
State has to do is to remain inert, to refuse
protection to a citizen, and the nation cannot
help him, and this is called equal protection
by the Law and the enforcement of constitu-
tional amendments. The most that consti-
buttons and laws can do is to insure its eiti-
zens an equal chance with all others to reach
those ends that governments are organized to
promote; but no citizen has an equal chance
who has not equal protection. 1t is his right
to possess both. 1t is the duty of the govern
ment to assure both, for justice is the
foundation of government
Mr.. Garland said the inconsistency of the
recent opinion of the Supreme Court was not
to be found in the opinion of the majority of
that court, but in that of the minority,
namely, Justice Harlan. If any people of
this country had not equal protection of
laws he was in favor of giving it to them.
But how far Congress could go in throttling
State he was not now prepared to say, but
hoped he would be prepared when the
proposition came up for debate
The resolution was referred to the judi
icary committee.
After an executive session the Senate adj
iourned.