The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-24

mention. II is the most shameful period
in the history OF the human race Tine
wonder now is that by force It was not
sooner terminatedrby an outraged people.
Annul the legislation Of Louisiana which
has for Its sole object the advancement OF
both races, the progress of the State so
cially, politically and industrially and IN
augurate again negro domination in that
State and the tragic period of 1876 will
be re enacted There never has been any
disposition on the part of Louisiana to
deprive the negro OF any of his political
or civil rights. There has been and viii
continue to be determination, fixed and
unalterahle. to deny him social privileges
on equality with the whites. to prohibit
HIM from aspiring to an equality IN social
life which nature forhlds." -'f"
Alr. McEnery said the suffrage article
In the Louisiana constitution was approved
by all citizens Of the State. From the
day that the negro was enfranchised, said
Mr.. McErery, and negro domination pre-
vailed in the State until 1875, when it was
overthrown. there was an era OF corrup-
ton, vice and tyranny, not equaled in any
age. He reviewed the situation and then
spoke Of the beneficial results OF white
supremacy. With reference TO the pro
posed amendment TO the constitution of
North Carolina he said It did not exclude
the negro from voting.
In closing, he said; There can be no
admiNIure Of the races, This Is a law or
nature. They must work ont their dcs-
tinies on parallel iines, which can not
come togcrs-ar, The Anglo-Saxon blood
and brain will always be the superior aud
can not be suhordinated to the negro. we
Of the South are making The negro's con
dillon better every day. We don't deny
mis- political rights BECAUSE he Is negro.
We regulate the suffrage because he is
ignorant and the present. malocily of ne
groes has no electoral capacity, The ques-
ton raised in the resolution lSNred by
the senator from North Carolina is n
judicial one. Congress has the power, but
1t has not the right to declare any law or
constitutional provision OF State uncon-
situtlonal"
While Mr.. MoEncry was speaking he WAC
Interrupted by Mr.. Butter IN. o., vino
inquired whether Mr.. McEnery. when the
amendment to the Louisiana constitution,
similar 10 that now pending in South Car
DINA, was under consideration, did not
pronounce II unconstitutional.
Mr.. McEnery replied that he had pro-
nouneed it unconstitutional. but inasnuch
as Il was adopted he had said that he
would support Il in the senate. He felt II
his duty to his constituents TO do so and
ho would always be found supporting the
laws and constitution OF both his State aud
lnsurrsction In this connection he said
Il don't stopt TO inquire now whether my
country In the Philippines IL right or not,
don't Inquire who hred the first shot
which precipitated hostilities, II Is enough
for me to know that my government has
been assailed; aud ! will uphold its hands
until its enemles are brought into sublee-
ton"
Mr. Butler then read copies Of letters
written by Mr. MoEnery IN which he de-
clared the amendment TO the Louisiana
constitution was grossly unconstituton-
al aud that It was so regarded by The
aolSst constitutional lawyers in the SEN
ate.
When Mr.. Butler had concluded, Mr.
Tillman Is. ca called up q bill TO re-
vlye and amend an act TO provide for the
collecting OF abandoned property and the
prevention OF frauds In insurrectionary
districts Within the United States. MT.
Ttllman askaa Mr.. Davis 10 make an ex-
PLANTATION OF the measure.
Mr. Davis said tho claims were not only
jus, but II was the hounden duty OF con-
sress to provide for their payment. IN
answer to an INQUIRY from Mr.. Hale, Mr..
Davis replied that the claims covered cap
ured and abandoned cotton.
MI Hale,-lWhy, that will amount to
S9o'oe9ooo or siocooo,ooo.'
To this MIR, Davis disseu,ed. saying that
under court decisions the claims for cap
tured and abandoned cotton wo1ld nggre-
gate about $e000.00O. This money was
IN the treasury and had been held by the
United states for twenty years Tor those
TO whom the courts had adiudged Il TO be-
long. Mr. Davis said that the payment Of
the claims was as clear an act Of jus,ice
as ever was presented. Tho bill Is not"
said he. "a sluieewsy for the payment OF I
claims which have been referred to By MIR I
Hale"
The bill was objected to aud Il went
over.
into executive session aud at $50 sd. |
jcurned.