Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-05-26
RED HOT SHOT
Hurled at Democrats by Johr-
son of Indiana,
On the Floor Of the House, In Uphold
ing the President
10 His Attits1e Toward the colored Man.
Esey Shot Told.

WASHfSGrox, NAV %, - The House
went into committee OF the whole on the
-andry civii appropriation bill. Hoak of
Tennessee, offered an amendment appro-
priating sl00,lso TO pay the expense of
collecting, preparing and publishing facts
and statistics pertaining to the industrial
advance of citizens Of African descent from
Jan. /, Is62. 10 Jan. /, 1888. 10 constitute
part of the government exhibit at the
Worlds Fair.
Henderson Of Iowa, submitted that the
amendment was not in order The colorei
people of this country, he said numbered
about one-eightb of our entire population.
vet the evidence taken by the special COM
mittee at Chicago, disclosed the wonderful
and amazing fact that neither the President
of the nited States he said it with morti-
tieation and shsme) nor the Governors of
single state, nor the government
commission, nor local corporation nor the
women's commission, not one of these had
given representation TO these 5 900 600 peo-
pie 1t wgs Il shame and he proclaimed il
with Indignation in the American Congress
that it had not been done. lie believed
two or three petty little places were held by
coiored men. places that did not rise TO the
dignity OF barber.
Cultivate, of Ohio, inquired whether
any effort was made during the Fifty first
Congress 10 10 ANYTHING in regard to this
Henderson - The Fifty-first Congress
passed Il law broad and comprehensive
Ii governors Of States and the President
of the nited States and those appointed to
manage the exposition had exercised the
simple impulse of humanity saving nothing
about political genius and wisdom they
could have done what was needed
Holman insisted on his point of order
which was sustained hy the Chair. Bergin
of New Jersey, offered substantially a sim
liar amendment. with the phraseoogy 50
changed that il might not, he hoped run
counter To the rules
Butler of Ohio, raised a point of order.
Bergen contended that point was not well
taken and said the President was not
called upon by the Worlds Fair
act to make any special point of
complexion of the persons he appointed. 1t
was not right for any gentleman to arraign
the President, until he could show that he.
himself, had asked the President to do So
After further debate the point of order was
sustained aud the amendment ruled out.
Bergen modified his amendment in order
to get it within the provisions of the rule.
In speaking to this amendment.
johnson. Indiana, said the President
had during his entire life been firm
unswerying, consistent friend of the
coiored man The President stood for the
so-called force bill when men with
less courage failed to stand up for the
pledges of the Republican party. The al
Iuson to the Force Bill' brought num-
ber of Democrats to their feet and johnson
was deluged with questions. The confu-
sion WAS great.
Richardson, of Tennessee, asked whether
the President was in favor of the force bill
now. RI
Johnson replied that the President was
in favor of any system of constitutional
legislation that would guarantee to the
lowliest man of the South the right to cast
vote without fear. favor or intimidation.
He cited the list of colored men appointed
by President Harrison to important offices.
Then there was scene of great confu-
sion in the hall, dozens of members on their
feet, raising their voices and crowding into
the aisles. In the midst of the confusion
.Johnsou's time expired.
The Chair sustained the point Of order
against the amendment and Bergen took an
appeal
johnson then resumed the floor and took
as his text IA remark by Stockdale that the
colored man had friends everywhere except
in the Republican party johnson declared
it had never been said of the Republican
party that il put gives upon the
wrists of any human being. or had
torn a, child from the breast of its
,I.r ,,I S,,II IL ,,tp IL T..
mently denounced the trcatnen, of the Ne
gro by the Democratic party of the Southern
states.
lie was yehementiy contradicted by MEM
hers from the South. and the House be-
came a perfect bedlam. the Chair being ut
terlv unable to secure order.
D'Neili. Missouri, finally made himself
heard. He declared that members were
here to transact business and not to listen to
any such rot as this. sharp words
passed between johnson and O'Neil
johnson inquired whether he had come
back to the ante -bcllum times when gentle
men were beaten with club because they
dared express their sentiments. johnson CON
tinued his attack upon the Democratic party
He reviewed the Haycs-Tlden controversy
and stirred up a good deal of excitement.
He was frequently interrupted.
The confusion became most intense and
nearly every member was crowding around
johnson. who was lurling out his detiances
vehcmently and vooerifously.
Finally McMllin rose to a point of order,
in behalf of the deeency of the House as
he said that the gentleman should contine
his remarks to the subject under discussion
The point was sustained and the Chair di-
rected johnson to address his remarks to
the appeal
Johnson, however, proceeded with re-
view of the Hayes-Tilden case, but spoke
only brief time.