Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-17
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
IN THE SENATE.

WASHINGTON, January 16th.-Hale, from the
Census Committee, reported back adversely the
bill to require the Superintendent of the Census
to ascertain what percentage of the people own
their own farms, the number of farms under
mortgage and the amount thereof.
Morrill,, from the Finance Committee. re-
ported a concurrent resolution requesting the
Secretary of the Treasury not to make a new
lease of the islands of ct. Paul and st. George in
Alaska for the purpose of taking fur seals there
on, and to postpone all action in relation
thereto until after the Goth Of February, 1890.
Passed.
Among the bills reported from committees
and placed on the calendar were the following:
Establishing customs collection district, to
consist of the states of North and South Dakota.
FOR the removal of the Indian prisoners in
the East (Geronimo's band) to Fort Sill, Indian
Terri DRY.
The Senate then took up the bill introduced
by Butler to provide for the emigration of per-
sons of color from the Southern States, and But
Ter proceeded to address the Senate. This, he
said, was too grave subject TO be distorted by
party considerations, or confined within the
narrow boundaries and limits of party lines.
Some persons who held high rank in the in
telectual world, held that in the history of the
African race in this country was to be seen the
hand of God for the accomplishment OF great
purpose. Other hemisphere events appeared 10
be shaping themselves in manner 10 justify
such a conclusion.
| The race question was raised by the changed
attitude of the two races toward each other, and
was burning evidence that the issue was not
confined to any locality, section or party. What
was to become of the 200 600 Indians in this
country, or of the 100 900 Chinaman was diff
| cult problem. But the most profound inquiry
| applied directly to the pending bill, and that
was what was to be the fate of the 100000 or
| 5000, 900 negroes of this country?
| They were citizens, they had the ballot, they
had had all the civil and political rights which
| the white men had, and which were denied to
| other colored races.
| Butler referred to the absence of eolored peo-
pie in all high positions in this country, and
saw in that fact proof of the unrelenting, unfor-
giving. incurable race prejudice;
| at anybody" he said had predicted be-
| fore the war that the Southern States would
within a few years be represented in both
houses of Congress by men who were their
slaves he would have been laughed at II any
| one predicted to-day that within half century
not full blooded genuine negro would be
| found in the United States, he would not be be-
lieved; and yet there were men who expected
/ that very thing.
/ The bill, he said, contemplated gradual, or
! derby, voluntary movement of colored people
| out of the Southern states and provided the
| Government with means to enable them 10 dc
| so. While the negroes remained in large masses,
| and exceeded in numbers their white neig hbors
| not only did the negroes not advance in the
| scale of civilization, but actually retrogaded.
| Such, at least. had been his experience. On the
| other hand. observation and experience had
| convinced him that where the white race was
largely in the majority, the white man was bet
| ter OFF. and the negro was batter Off so that no
| cause it would be hurtfui 10 the negro.
| He believed that if the Government would do
| its duty br the negro (instead of coaching him
and confusing him with civil rights and empty
| statutes). if 1t would reDder him substantial
| assistance in his struggle for regeneration and
| real freedom he would illumine the dark CONT
nent of his fntheIs with the light OF Christianity
/ and Law.
As to its effect on the Southern States, he said
| if the south could be relieved OF part at least
of lis superabundance of chesp labor. there
trf7fra
gent progressive citizens, that the prosperity OF
| the South during the last decade would pale
into insignifieaEee as compared with its future
progress.
Mr Hoar replied to Bltler. He ssid it seemed
to him that this proposition was the most aston
ishicg that had ever been heard of il the legis-
latiye history of the Senate. or the legislative
history of any free. civilized and prosperous
pc Jple. From eli dimes under the san laborers
were threnging all one way, N their eager de-
sire to share the harvest Of national prosperity