The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-12
THE COLOR LINE.
Political Fencing Match Over the
Jones Bill in the House.

The Jones bill to abolish schools for coll
ored children and place these pupils in the
white schools came very near passing the
House yesterday afternoon, and is pending
as unfinished business this morning after
the adoption of a motion TO suspend the
rules and place it upon its passage. The
Democrats undertook TO put the Repub-
licans in a whole this question and
were given "A dose of their own medicine
in the shape Of an opportunity to vote for
the bill and go home and explain their ac-
ton to constituencies that will not permit
colored man within the borders of their
counties.
The action upon the bill started in an in
cident that occurred during the morning
hour The bill was favorably reported from
the committee on education some days ago
and yesterday morning Mr.. Jones made
motion that the speaker hand 1T down on
second reading. The speaker held the mo-
ton out of order. Mr.. Jones asked why ii
was out of order. and the speaker asked
him to explain how it could be in order.
Mr.. Jones again asked Why II was out or
order. and the speaker declared that IL was
not incumbent upon the chair to explain
its rulings. Mr.. Jones sat down in some
BILL HANDED DOWN
In the afternoon the speaker handed the
bill down on second reading and Mr.. East
offered amendment killing the effect of
the bill. He spoke against the measure.
Mr.. Hedgecock spoke against the amend
ment. He declared that the amalgamation
of the races was going on and the Legisla
ture could not help it. Mr.. Sutton offered
d petition against the BILL Mr. Jones hand
ed up petitions for the bill from Grant and
Delaware counties. He declared that this
n L.. fp1t- fh.x.,
this BILL and If II did not do SO II could
take the responsibility. lie roted the fact
that about election time the vote of the
colored man counted as much as that of
any other. The East amendment was lost
on a viva voce vote. Mr.. Hart moved to
strike out the enacting clause. Such
races WIS impossible. 1t might result in
race of octoroons, but nothing better. Mr..
Smith. of Tippecanoe; spoke against the
bill and accused the Democracy of trying
to make ii a political measure. Mr.. t.ich-
horn of Wells county. where they will not
permit "a negro to reside, spoke for the bill.
They have not one in the county, When
the author of this bill was the Harrison
train that stopped at Mr.. Eichhorn's home.
Bluffton, in 1894 some children caught
sight of him and gathered a big crowd by
crying: "Oh, look: here's a Niger, Here's
a nigger! Mr. Linck and Mr.. Reynolds
spoke briefly and sincerely for the bill.
Mr.. Roots spoke against the motion TO kill
because he wanted all bills fairly discussed.
Mr.. Spooner took few square feet Of
hypocrisy Remington made a point of
der that they had enough of one thing.
Il thought you would get enough. re-
torted Mr.. Spooner.
Mr.. East answered Mr.. Spooner with an
other political speech. talking against the
motion. The motion was lost on viva voce
vote.
Mr.. Hart then moved TO strike out all
after the enacting clause. In speaking to
his motion he mentioned the fact that Eich-
horn came from county so densely Dem
ocratic that colored man did not dare
stick his head across the border. Mr.
Thomas a substitute. moved TO strike
out the second section. but withdrew it,
Mr.. Eichhorn again spoke for the bill. Mr.
Harris motion was voted down and Mr.
Thomas again offered his amendment to
strike out the second section. which re-
peals the law of 1859 establishing colored
schools. He spoke to his amendment and
Mr.. Nicholson also supported IL. He de-
clared that the colored people OF his county
were rot asking for the bill-in fact many
spoke for the amendment putting i'm a plea
for the colored teachers. Mr.. Haihy the
Populist. declared that he was "A sure
enough friend OF the colored man. He got
highly excited and talked in loud voice
for a long time before anybody found out
which side he was on. He VAS occasionally
interrupted by cries of Louder" The
speaker finally called his attention to the
question before the house. 1t was then
discovered that he vas again 81 the amend
ment. Mr.. Fornshell moved the previous
question. PopUlist Patterson wanted TO
talk and tried to DO so on the ground of
personal privilege. but did not get recog-
milton. \ roll call was had and the amend
ment was defeated by vote of % 10 3D.
HART SURPRISES THEM
Mr. Hart then sprung a little surprise by
moving the suspension of the rules and the
passage of the BILL This was a rather
bitter pin for the Democrats. but they
swallow ed it and the rules were suspended