The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-11

ins bill from 357 to $50 and assigning
the three additional representatives to
North Dakota, Colorado and Florida
White, of North Carolina, the only
colored man in the house, created some
thing OF sensation by a fiery speech
of five minutes, denouncing the traduc-
ers of his race He had tried to obtain
an opportunity to be heard during the
general debate, he said, but it had been
denied him. He was, he said, the rep
resentative Of oue-eighth Of the popu-
lation Of the country, of race that had
Deen grossly misrepresented and ma
ngned by three members of the house
during the pending debate. He was
glad, however, that the idle and SIAN
derous words had come from young
men, against whom the statute of youth
could be pleaded. ''They will know bet
ter when they grow older" he said
White said he would take occasion a
perhaps, be his valedictory, to defend
the men of his race, who were no less
American citizens than those Of white
skin and Caucasian blood. His re-
marks received whirlwind of applause
from the public gallery in which were
seated many of his race.
Mr.. William Alden Smith, of Michi-
leigh substitute to fix the membership
at $685.
The vote was first taken upon the
Spalding amendment to the original
text of the Hopkins bill to increase the
membership to $50 and assigning the
additional representatives to Colorado
Florida and North Dakota and it pre-
vailed without division.
The Smith amendment to the Bur-
leigh substitute was defeated-S5 to 1885,
The vote was then taken upon the
Burleigh substitute. Both sides de-
manded the ayes and noes and the
roll was called.
The Burleigh substitute was adopted
-165 to 102. The announcement was
greeted with round of applause.
Mr.. Clark, of Missouri, then offered
an amendment to create a territory out
of the district of Columbia, and >allow
the district a delegate in the house.
The amendment was ruled out on a
point of order.
Mr.. Clark, however, delivered a thor
oughly characteristic speech in which
he said the only objection raised to his
proposition from the fine haired and
silk-stockinged" citizens, who declar-
ed that if the people Of the district were
allowed to vote 1.-The poor whites and
the d niggers'' would vote them into
bankruptcy.
Against the adoption of the commit
tee amendment adding the words "and
compact" some of the democrats pro-
tested vigorously and a roll call was fl
nally forced upon it's adoption. The
amendment was adopted-130 to 110.
After the bill had been read a third
time, Mr.. Crumpacker Qndiana) moved
to recommit the bill with instructions
to ascertain what states had abridged
the right to vote to an extent sufficient
to reduce their representation and to
report the facts to the house. On a
,,e.,,
"a to 1876. Several republicans, includ-
ing Messrs. Pearson, of North Carolina;
Littlefield and Allen, of Maine; Hill, of
Connecticut; Jenkins, of Wisconsin, and
Joy, of Missouri, voted with the demo-
Gratis against the motion. The bill was
then passed.
A bill was passed to pay the mileage
of messengers who shall bring the elec-
toral votes of the several states to
Washington at the rate of 25 cents per
mile. Then a 5:25 o'clock p. m. the
house adjourned.