The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-21
The House,
From Saturdays Dally.l

The house met at 10 O'Clock. Speaker
Alexander and quorum present. Prayer
by the Chaplain, Rev. H. W. Dodge.
The house considered senate bill No. 10,
known as the Pope bill, providing separate
railroad coaches for colored people.
Amendments proposed by the house com
mittee were defeated.
Mr.. Bryan moved to adopt the minority
report adverse to the measure.
The speaker ruled the motion out of
order.
Mr.. Bryan then moved to postpone in
definitely, and spoke in favor of the mo-
tior. He argued that the bill would un-
necessarily disturb social question which
had better be left for circumstances to ad-
just. The best elements of the two races
will settle the question reaceably, and it
| can't be settled in any other way.
Mr.. Fielder said he was surprised at the
opposition to the bill, as it was in the in
terest of both white and colored people.
When he left home he was requested by
leading colored citizens of his county to
have such measure adopted. One of
them was a man who was accumu lating
property and educating his daughters,
who said he had no disposition to force
social equality, but said he thought he had
the right to equal accommodation in the
cars so that his family could not be forced
into smoking cars. The question OF
social equality, however, Mr.. Fielder con-
tended, was not the issue before the legis-
lature. The object was simply to do
justice to all, to the colored as we'll as to
white people.
Mr.. Bryant have received letters from
people of every class protesting against
such measure. sympathize with the
colored people in their efforts to elevate
themselves but as the railroads are now
conducted good oolored men can separate
rogatory TO us to sit down on the cars
with gentlemanly colored men.
Mr.. Strong-I can't see why this bill
should not pass. As to its conflicting
with any national party policy, it was not
question for us to consider. The ques-
tion is one of right and duty to the peo-
| pie of Texas, white as we'll as colored. As
to the matter of loyalty to the govern
ment after 20 years submission he felt
that We should be permitted to legislate
for our people freely without regard to
mere party policy. If not we might as
well do away with state laws and identity.
As to expectancy, the bill would avoid
friction between the white and colOred
people in smoking cars.
| Mr.. Dunlap cOntended that the question
was one to be settled by time and ballot,
rather than by legislation. The bill III
wolves discrimination on the public high
ways. We make no question as TO the
street cars. Railroads are no better, but
should have the same rights. As to the
practicsbility OF the measure, the rail
roads could not and should not be ex-
| pected to make the change without rails
ing their rates. In the interest of the
future he thought we had better let things
| alone.
Mr.. Pope-I believe it is best for both
classes of our people that this bill should
become law. IL trespasses upon no
mans rights. 1t is demanded by the peo-
pie and should pass to protect the ladies
of Texas from insult and outrage. God
has placed his own mark of difference in
the races, and the cOlered people
should not complain when they are given
the same or equal accommodations. As
to being afraid of some political power
that might lay it's hand upon us, it should
not interest us in a matter of doing JUS
to our people. If this bill did not give
the colored people proper rights and pro-
hibit white men from going in with them,
l should oppose it. II colored people OPP
pose it, it must be those who want social
] equality. believe, however,t that the great