The Topeka state journal., 1900-01-22
SENATE TALKS Politics.
North Caroline Constitutional Amend.
ment Under Discussion.

Washington, Jan. 22.-Soon after the
senate convened today joint resolu-
ton was offered by Mr.. Platt On. W
authorizing the president to invite the
government of Great Britain to join in
the promotion of an international COM
mission to examine and report upon the
division of the waters that are the
boundaries of two countries. 1t was re-
ferred to the committee on foreign rela-
tions.
Mr.. Hoar, chairman of the judiciary
committee reported back the resolution
of Mr.. Rawlins, Utah, for an inquiry
upon polygamy with recommendation
that the first and last paragraphs of
the resolution be adopted The report
was accepted and the resolution as
amended adopted.
AS adopted the resolution reads:
ITO what extent polygamy is practic-
ed or polygamous marriages entered in
to in the United States, or in places over
which they have jurisdiction.
What if any steps should be taken or
measures enacted for the prevention of
places over which they have jurisdic-
tion.',
Mr.. Allen (Neb,) offered a resolution
calling upon the secretary of the treas
ury to furnish the senate with all in
formation consisting of correspondence
and verbal communications he may
have had with A. B. Hepburn and other
officials of the National City bank of
h, TRANSMISSION
of the custom house of New York to the
National City bank. 1t went over un-
der objection. At the conclusion of the
routine business Mr.. Pritchard IN. C.)
called up his resolution relating to the
proposed amendment to the constitution
of North Carolina which if adopted, it
is alleged disfranchises a large class of
voters of the state.
After the reading of the resolution
Mr.. Tritchard addressed the senate in
1nr-f nf II h od I,.f 10
nature of a reply to that delivered sew
eral days ago by Senator Morgan.
Mr. Pritchard said the question in
volVed the peace and welfare of the
nation and the stability of our institu-
tions. The constitution guaranteed to
each state a republican government If
Senator Morgan's contention prevailed
there would be pure notification. He
said the Democrats of North Carolina
were attempting to deprive certain citi-
zens of guaranteed rights just as the
Democrats of Louisiana had done.
Mr.. Pritchard said that if Senator
Morgan was right then the Democratic
party ought to have the courage to
propose the abrogation of the fifteenth
! amendment, which gives the negro the
right of franchise. He said the adop-
tion of the proposed amendment to the
North Carolina constitution would
sound the death knell to the aspirations
of every Zeb Vance Democrat in the
state.
While it was claimed that the object
of the proposed amendment was to Sc
cure white supremacy, said Mr.. Pritch-
ard, the real purpose was to disfranchist
thousands of white and colored citi-
zRns and thus create an office holding
class. There could be no fear of negro
domination in North Carolina, declared
Mr. Pritchard, because the whites out
numbered the blacks by two to one. He
regarded the attempt to amend the con-
st1tutfOn as an effeEf to legalize the
fraudulent methods of the Democratic
party.
DISTRICT. DAY IN HOUSE
Washington. Jan. 22-This was Dis
trict of Columbia day in the house
Before the day was claimed for bust
| ness relating to the district, some minol
business was transacted.
The question of a change OF reference
of the estimates for the Rock Island
and Springfield armories, from The
committ1Se on military affairs to tht
committee on appropriations was take1
priation for the construction of small
arms, and the motion to change ref
! erence was held in allegiance pending al
The house then proceeded to the con.
sideration of district matters.
Several minor bills were passed. L
Rock Island and Springfield armories
reference as an original proposition
| Then, at 12:40 p m, the house ad.
journed until tomorrow.