Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-24
WRTYNCHm CONGRESS
First Session.


ef's association of New HAmpshlfe, In wnice
they express their regret that 20 many years
have elapsed since Alaska became part OF
the territory of the United States, without
the rights of American citizens being
granted 70 its inhabitants. The petition rep
resents that the people are worse on
With regard to educatios than when under
the dominion Of Russia, for the United States
has not continued the schools and has estab-
lished no schools Ii prays Congress to es-
tablish schools in that territory.
Similar petitions we're presented BY Allison
and Beck.
Mr.. Sevell from the Committee on military
Affairs, reported favorably on the bill for the
relief of Fiiz John Porter.
Mr.. Harrison, in Mr.. Logan's absence,
said there would be . minority report
The House bill for the relief of Ii. Greedy
was read twice and referred to the naval
committee.
The House bill repeating the test oath Vas
referred to the judiciary committee.
Mr.. Vance introduced joint resolution TO
provide for the commemorati0n Of the land
ing of Sir Walter Raleigh's colony on
Roanoke Island. North Carolina
On Mr.. vance's own suggestion the reso-
luton was laid on the table TO be hereafter
called.
Mr.. Sherman offered the following preamble
and resolution:
Whereas, Among the expressed objects for
which the constitution Of the United States
was established, we're those to establish JUS
tice and insure domestic tranquility, and,
whereas, the constitution provides for secur-
ity to all citizens of equal civil rights and to
all citizens the privileges and immusities
that belong to the condition of citizenship
c.ss = he ynst - C&apa
to vote shall not be denied BY the United
States or any State on account Of race, color
or previous condition Of servitude, and fur
ther provides that no State shall deny to any
person within its jurisdiction, the equal pro-
lection of the laws, and, whereas, among the
privileges and immunities Inherent to citizen
ship, are the rights to peaceal y assemble
for the consideration of questions of state
and national concern in safety, to discuss the
same and and the right to exercise elective
franchise in every s. tie freelv and viii ut
mole station or intimidation, and, whereas,
Q general election was to occur and did not
cur in the State of Virginia on the Sit day
of November, and, whereas, it is alleged and
currently adopted in the public press, that ON
about the 3rd day of November, 1888, at
Danville in said State large number of the
peaceable citizens of the United States were
violently assailed by an organized body Of
men and fred upon. several of them being
killed by said armed men, conspiring to affect
and with the purpose of affecting the result
of said election about to occur, by creating
BY means of unlawful violence and homicide
q state of alarm on the part of peaceful citi-
Gems throughout said State, which should in
duce them to refrain from voting or to vote
differently from their previous intention at
LII nd OBJ 10 all rod In
all the victims of said attack were of one race
add one political party, and all their assail-
ants Of another, and, whereas, it is alleged
that the authorities of the State of Virginia
have not brought any of the persons con-
nected with the said illegal conspiracy, viO-
lence and homicides, before the court of jus
tics for examination or trial, whereby the
equal right of citizenship and the equal pro-
lection of laws have not been secured to all
people Of said State, and, whereas, the gen.
eral election was to occur and did occur in
the State of Mississippi on the 9th day of
November, 1888, and whereas, it is alleged
that short time prior to said election in the
county Of Copiah, there was organized q
NOV ement By the members of one party to
prevent the members of another party from
voting at that election, and to prevent free
and open discussion and expression of polit-
ical opinions, that this purpose was carried
into execution by organized plans Of terror
and violence, that the means used for that
purpose were by lawless and organized mobs.
moving by night and day, assaulting. in some
cases killing, lawful voters with 4 view by
terror and fear Of violence to deter others
from voting, that this violence was CON-
mitted by one party upon the members of
another party with q view to deprive the lat
81 Al =. ~
ing throughout the said county of Copiah,
and into portions of other counties of that
State, that as . part of this general plan and
conspiracy, one J. P. Matthews, a peaceful
and Law abiding citizen of Coplah county,
was warned not to vote and upon his voting
on the day of the election was murdered At
the place of the election by q person selected
for that purpose and with the approval, ex-
press or implied, of the officers of the cleo
ton, and no effort was made to punish the
murderer, that his killing was subsequently
approved by public meeting in said county,
composed entirely of members of one party,
and by such public meeting it was justified
and approved.
Mr.. Shermans resolution instructs the
committee on privileges and elections to in
quire into the matters set forth touching the
condition Of rights and securities Of the peo-
pie of Virginia and Mississippi and empowers
them to send for persons and papers. Mr..
Sherman asked immediate consideration of
the resolution.
Mr.. Van Wyck offered a resolution which,
after amendment, was agreed to, calling for
full information from the attorney general,
a. to feesDpaid the attorney in the star route
cases.
The Senate then proceeded with the cal
endar.
joint resolution permitting Arson L.
Reynolds Of the navy to accept certain dec
orations from the Emperor of Austria in
recognition Of heroic conduct in saving the
crew Of an Austrian bark, met with bitter OPP
position from Mr.. Plumb, who thought that
q man who carried q commission of the
United States 10 his pocket ought to be sat
isfed With it. Mr.. Plumb denounced toady-
ism to foreign governments by diplomatic
agents and the spending upon foreign aristo-
Gratis by certain Americans of money earned
in the United States. He thought that Amer
lean citizenship was decoration enough, and
that the aping Of foreign manners and no.
notions of rank be stopped.
Mr.. Morgan eulogized the officers con-
duct and thought that We were getting to the
very drivel Of democracy if we could object
to such . proposal a. was made in the matte
Mr.. Bayard, Mr.. Hoar and others favored
the measure and it passed.
Mr.. Butler called up q resolution providing
for . clerk ct . salary of one thousand dol
lars per annum for A senator who IL nat