The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-18
THE JIM CROW CAR BILL.

Poi lCuJ Cttllcu up MI. N1OarGS
moved to strike out tho cnacting words.
Mr.. Caughman defended his bill. He
thought it was their duty to lcgislate
for the benefit Of the Caucasian race
| in the future. He was fully aware
that this bill had been fought over
every two years since '76. He feared
that as the years rolled by intermar-
marriage OF the races might come. He
argued that the railroads would not
suffer. He urged the fact that most Of
the other Southern States had such
laws.
MIR. Reynolds said that tho unfavor-
able report of the committee was Of
course Of weight in this ratter He
said there had heen q growing feeling
that this legislation was unnecessary.
Tho course of such bills in 20 years
showed that. The desire for the bill
grew out OF the race problem. 1t WAS
the idea Of the thing moro than the
reality which made some people want
this act. What was the necessity for
this radical change.
Mr. Pollock, Of the railroad commit
tee, resented the statement Of Mr..
Cnughman that the committee had
heard railroad men on the bill, when
they hadn't notified him of the consi-
dcration. He said that a railroad rep
rcsentativc did appear before the COM
mittec, but the committee didn't care
to hear anything special on the sub
j2ct, because tho subject has been dis
cuS3ed Tor 70 years and every man,
possibly, had his mind made up on tho
subject. He could sec no argument in
tho fact that other States had passed
such Il law. South Carolina was sup
posed to be the best Judge of her own
needs and there was no demand for
such bill. Usually the travel in tho
State was not SO large as to require
separate coaches. Color was not the
only consideration any way. His ex-
pericncc was that colored mon in first
class coaches always behaved them
selves dcccntly and respectfully. He
saw no necessity for the bill
Mr.. Kinard, of Abbeville, said he be-
lievcd in keeping the negroes separate
from the white gentlemen and ladies.
The race question is deep one and
the only way to settle it is to keep a
we'll marked line between them under
all circumstances.
Mr.. Cushman said he had never
heard any complaint as to the opera
tion of the law where it Is in force. If
the law is needed in other States, so
much moro do we need it, for our col
ored population is much greater in
proportion than it is in other States.
1t would require no hardship on the
railroads, because IL simple division of
passenger car into two compartments
would be sufficient.
MIR. Reynolds said the trouble about
negroes was infinitely greater on street
cars. Make this apply to them and
drive them out OF business.
Mr.. Eiird said with all due Difference
to the colored man and his rights, he
must raise his voice in behalf Of this
bill. 10 vote to kill This bill was to say
that they approved Of negroes riding
in cars with their wives and daughters.
Mr.. Rogers eaid the tendency of this
age was to decide all such quest in
the light Of their utility. This was u
question which rose far above utility
and all questions Of expense.
Mr.. Sturkie had always favored the
jim Grow car bin.
MIR. Pollock went for MIR. Kinard ia
quite warm manner in regard to his
assertion That the practice Of the races
travelling in the same coaches was an
incentive to amalgamation.
Mr. Rogers emarked that if it were
possible he would like to SEQ the ne
groes blotted out Of the State.
Mr.. kinard spoke Of tho water closet
r. PiOoiSiii, vi luS tIlitt uldtt0f. t1C SAID
that none Of the arguments against the
bill Wero sound.
MIR. w. S. Smith said they needed
the bill badly in the lower portion of
the State. He argued for some time.
Inc previous question was then call
Ell on the whole matter. The House
refused TO strike out tho cnactinr
words by vote Of SO to 10, as follows ;:
Ayas-Andcrson, Bodon, Childs, Col
cock, Davis, G.. NJ; Davis, w. G.;
Gadsdcn, Gage, Hiott, Hollis, Meares,
Mchrtcns. Mitchell, McKeown, Pol.
lock, ,Pya.t, Reynolds, Thomas, j. r.,
Jr., Vinccnt-l9.
Naya-All, Armstrong, Asbill, Ash
ley, AustcI! Bacot, Bailey, Banks,
Bathunc, Blythe, Braoland, Carraway,
Carson, Caughman. Crum, Cushman,
Davis, G. W.: deI4oach, Dukes, Ed
wards, Efird, Epps, Fox, Garris, Gas
que, Glenn, Goodwin, II. r.; Goodwin,
0. r.; Graham, j. S.; Graham, ". A.;
Harvey, Uazeldcn, Henderson, Humph-
roy, lldcrton, johnson, Kennedy, XIII
Ter, Kinard, II. j.; Kinard, j. D.:
Lancaster, LPyton, Lester, LimchouSc,
Magill, Mauldin. Miles, Miller, J. T. ::
Miller, j. H.; Mishoe, Mcdaniel, Nc
Laurin, McWhitc, Owen, Patton, Pcr-
ritt, Phillips, Plylcr, Price, Prince,
LealuSlord, lVOOlnSOn, Rogers, Russell,
Slmkins, Smith, j. r.; Smith, w. S.;
Speor, Sturkie, Sullivan. Thomas, w.
H.; H.; lW1m1merman, W1n1 roole, Werner, Woll-
1lvui, lvii,,, Wcstm0re and, Wingo, Winklcr,
Williams, Wyche, Yeldoll.--8O.
Mr.. Pollock then offered to amend so
as TO give tho railroad com llission M
thorlty to order Jim Grow cars uut IN
when in their judgmentit it became nec-
essary.
MIR. Smith opposed any amendment
from anybody or any of the members
OF the committee. They wanted the
bill passed as it was. After q littlo
spat between Mcssrs. Smith and Pol
lock, the former moved to table tho
amendment, but withdrew the motion
to let Mr.. Pollock advocate his amend.
ment.
Mr.. Yeldell said that unless this
amendment went in, the bill would
nave to be extensively amended. He
thought 1T should tc left to the rail.
road commission.
Mr.. Pollock's amendment was then
tabled.