The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-01-28
RIGHTS Of THE STATE.
The Race Problem Again the Lead
ing 7 nic Discussed in
7ate.
'raa
Lin.
Walthall CC. arp 'eral
Election Law
the Republic,
Interesting correspondence BetNccn th,
mons DeUounce Republican Tactics.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 95.-ln the senate to-
day Hoar presented the resolutions adopted
nj u mass meeting held recently ia Ire
mont temple, Boston, on the subject of the
cruel deprivation of the colorcd people Of
the right to take part in elections in some
Of the southern states.
Cockrell introduced n bill to repeal the
silver coinage bill Of Feh. =. ls7S. and re-
quire the purchase md coinage of S5,OOO,0O1
Il month in standard silver dollars. Mr..
Coekrell respectfully requested the finance
committee. 10 which the bill was referred.
10 take immediate action upon IT, and to-
report it back to the senate for its action.
The resolution heretofore offered by Chand-
lcr. calling on the attone, general for the
report of the United States marshal for the
northern district # Mississippi concerning
The malireatment of Henry j. Fannce at
Aberdeen. Miss. was taken up COR com
sideration, and Mr.. Walthall addressed the
senate.
Walthall said il could not be possibly
pretended that congress had any juTisdicti ion
on the subject. Referring TO the hanging
in efigy of Secretary Proctor al Aberdeen
and the assault on Faunce, he said il was
simply the wanton conduct of a few per-
sons, disapproyed by the community.
Speaking for himself aud representing tn.
sentiment of the people OF Mississippi. he
condemned those outrages and held that
the United States would not hold an entire
community responsible for the actions of a
few persons. Proceeding TO the question
of federal interference in cleo
tions, Walthall agreed with In
gals that the race question was
the most formidable and pretentious
ever presented TO a free people for solution.
He saw no remedy which congress could ap-
ply that promised any practical result. He
believed arbitrary enactments would but
increase the difficulty. The professed pur-
pose OF federal control was 60 secure n fair
count OF the negro vote. but the actual OBJ
ject was 10 court that vote for the republi-
can party. The proposition was such a
menace 10 the rights of the people that il
must meet with the condemnation of
all men anxious 10 preserve the spirit of
the government. In his opinion the result
of no congressional election in any
southern state would he controlled hy any
federal law congress could pass. The white
people would be driven into closer co-opera-
ton than before, because the election of
negro judges and officers means negro DOM
nation, and means death 90 every interest
and hope of the people. He could not
counsel his people to accept such desolat-
ing barbarism without struggle. nor VET
TO flee from the homes of themselves and
| their ancestors. He would not urge
them 10 violate any public law or
private right. but he would urge
them, not as remedy, but as
the means of present safety. 90 unity.
He would appeal TO them for their own
safety TO subordinate all party differences
TO that end and purpose. There was no
safety for them in any different course.
Walthall criticised all the proposed RENE
dies for the race trouble including depor-
tation and Acknowledgement MS impracti-
Fcable and impossible. Such colored men az
doubtless Bruce and Lynch he said were
not types, but prodigies; but some northern
| people. Judging the whole negro race by
them, did not appreciate the dread in which
the southern people stood Of negro rule.
Walthall alluded 10 the practice of fraud
and bribery at northern elections and said
II there was n show of force ON the part of
the white people 10 save themselves from
negro rule, that was at least An evidence OF
a more honest conviction than tho buying
of votes.
George spoke of the resolution A. unpar-
alleled in the history of legislation in this
country. He admitted the fact which had
been 80 correctly stated by tue senator
from Kansas the other day-perhaps with n
| little coloring-and he had no hesitation in
declaring that the Faunce matter was such
as demanded of the legislature of Mississippi
examination and reparation 10 the man
maltreatcd.
Chandler advocated the resolution. n
the senate WIS not only 10 he tauntcd when
wrongs of this kind were committed by he.
ing asked, What are you going to dc
| about IL, but also WAS 10 be told bv the
senator from Mississippi. "lou have moi
the right 10 inquire, and You dare not in.
quire into outrages Of this sort then, in.
deed. had the senate fallen on woeful and
| lamentnble times.
/ ingalls, spoke forcibly on the matter clos
| ing rs follows; "Ii may be'you will succeed
in forcing the declaration that the senate oi
the United States, that the government oi
the United States. has no power either tC
| inquire into wrong agninst lis citizens, ol
TO protect them against inyasions of thciI
| rights; but say TO the senator If Faunct
had been 4 citizen Of Kansas, and If il
should appear that the authorities Of Mis-.
slssippi would not avenge that wrong. and
| If il should appear that the government and
authorities Of the United States were pow
erless 10 prevent such wrong, | will guaran.
/ Tee 10 him that the citizens of Kansas would
take il into their hands to resent II and eX.
act reparation.' Murmurs uf disapproyal
from the democratic side.
George challenged the senator from Kan.
sas or any senator on the republican side 10
put his nnger on that clause of the cOnsti-
tution which authorized the federal govern.
ment TO punish or take jurisdiction of
crimes committed within state, and moi
| against the laws of the United Staies
! SpoOner asked George II he doubted the
power OF the senate TO charge an appro.
pirate committee with the power of investi-
eating the department of justice and com
pelling the attorney general 10 produce any
paper on file IN his department George re-
| peated his challenge. Wilson OF Iowa. ro-
/ ferred him 10 section ., article I. of the con.
| stitution in these words: "Citizens Of each
state shall be entitled tu all the privileges
and inmunities rs citizens of the several
| states
Kegan condemned the outrage, but denied
the right of the government of the United
States 20 take jurisdiction. If sectional
agitation would cease. and the people of the
south were permitted TO shape their course
| to the interests Of the community without
having 10 guard themselves from attacks
from the outside. there would be fewer oc-
casions for violation Of the law. George
agnin took the floor and the resolution vent
over until tomorrow, without action.