The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-26
How the Repub blicans Neglected the
Colored People in Arranging
for the Fair. ...
No Place on Any OF the Many
Boards Allotted to a
Negro.
Tho Forco Bill dragged Out by = Con-
gressman-Talk on Silver in the
Senate,


surprise in the house to-day when Repre-
sentative Henderson Iowa) arraigned
President Harrison and thu governors of
states for failure to give representation to
colored people in connection with the
Worlds fair. He was followed by johnson
Ind.) in speech euloRistic Of President
Harrison, denunciatory Of tho democratic
party in its treatment of tho negro in the
south, and strongly in favor of the force
bill. There was great excitement during
Johnsons speech. The house went into
committee Of the whole on the sundry civil
appropriation bill. The first subject was
the appropriation for government
exhibit at the Worlds fair. Houk
(Ohio) offered an amendment appropriatinR
$lO0, 600 to pay the expenses of collecting,
preparing and publishing facts and stats"
tics pertaining to the industrial advance of
United States citizens OF African descent.
from Jan. !, 1863. to Jan. l, 1893, to consti
tute part of the government exhibit. Hen
derson (Iowa) said the colored people of
the country numbered one eighth of the
population. yet evidence taken by the spe-
cial committee at Chicago disclosed the
amazing fact that neither the president of
the United States. nor the governor Of
single state, nor the women's commission.
nor the government commission. nor the
local corporation had given representation
to these 5000. 600 people. Itwas shame,
and he proclaimed it with indignation. He
believed there were two or three petty
little places held by colored men, places
that did not rise to the dignity of a barber.
The civilized world was Interested in know
inn - Uhakv isaey fr0r Frna n ithaca
people.
Holnan made point of order against
Hauk's amendment. which was sustained.
johnson lind replied to what he char
acterized as the Remarkable speech OF
Henderson. Tho President Of the United
States. said he, had. during his entire life,
been firm, unswerving and constant
friend of the oolored race. 1t ought not be
forgotten that the president had stood in
favor Of a just measure of national relief
which, If passed by congress-. would pro-
vide for the supervision of national elec-
south would have the right to cast their
votes and have them counted.
| The president had stood for the measure
known as 'tho force bill" when men with
less courage failed to stand up for the
pledges of the republican party. This allu-
sion to the force bill broughta number Of
democrats to their feet with questions. but
only one was heard, that propounded by
Richardson (Tenn.). as to whether the
president is in favor of the force bill now.
johnson replied that the president is in
favor of any system of constitutional legis-
lation that would guarantee to the lowliest
man of the south the right to cast vote
without fear, favor or intimidation. He
proceeded in vehement Language to
denounoe the treatment of the negro
BY the democratic patty OF the south,
and as he was as vehemently contradicted
| by number of southern members, the house
became perfect bedlan. Some democrat
made reference to 1876. whereupon Mr..
johnson proceeded to review the Hayes
Tilden controversy. Confusion became in
tense Finally McMillin rose to point OF
order, and johnson was directed to address
his remarks to the appeal.
Hooker Miss denied that the people OF
the south were enemies of the negro. There
never had been any disorder save when
carpetbaggers and aliens came down the {
and stirred it up. Cheatham IN. O.. the
| only colored man in the house, regretted
that tho debate had taken political turn
The colored people should have this appro-
priation. He wanted to see democrats and
republicans come together to help the negro
and do something for him. Dockery (Mo.
offered an amendment reducing the salary
of the director general of the Worlds fai,
to SIS, 600, and the secretary to S3.COO also
providing that not more than one meeting
| OF the national commission OF Iauy man
ayers be held during 1898.
Johnston IS. O. offered an amendment
providing that no part OF the appropriation
be available unless the doors of the exnosi-
tion be closed on SUNDAYS. Hooker Miss.
offered as an amendment t. Johnston
amend ment a proviso that in no event
shall the exhibit made by the government
be open to the public on Sunday. Stone
(Pa.) offered as substitute for the amend
| lpenta a proyiso that before any money ap-
propriaed By the bill is paid the managers
Of the exposition shall file an agreement tt
close the exposition Sunday. Hooker
amendment was agreed to. Atkinson (Pa.
offered as an amendment to the substitute
a proviSo that no part of the appropriation
be available until the board of manager!
gives satisfactory assurance that no intoxi'
eating liquors shall be sold on the grounds
Agreed to. The committee rose, leavin,
Johnston's amendment as amended. am
stones amendment as amended. undis
posed Of.