The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-10
new "JlM CROW" LAW
NEW ORLEANS NEGROES HAPPY, BUT
WHITE MEN TIRED.
How the Attempt to Separate the
Races ON Street Cars Worked the
First Day 1t Was Tried.

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 9-The Wilson
street-car law became effective last week.
The contractor having failed to supply all
the screens needed by the New Orleans
Railways Company. some of the cars were
without screens, cords tied from the bell
rods to the backs of the seats indicating
the line of division between the white and
the negro compartments.
The gist of the law and the line Of con-
duct Of the conductors under the law
were set forth in bulletin, posted in all
the barns of the railways company for
the information and direction of conduct
ors 1t gave conductors power to assign
passengers to the proper compartment and
to refuse to carry them IL they refused to
occupy it, but the conductor was not an
thorized to make arrests for such refusal
He was obliged, however, to take the pas
senger's name and those of witnesses and
report the same to the Office.
Generally, the people took kindly enough
to the law. The presence Of the screens
in many of the cars for the past few days
had gradually educated the riding public
to the requirements of the law, and the
public were law-abiding enough during the
y.
however, the law was a farce. The public
was tired. Men wanted to sit down, and
they sat down. By far the larger per-
centage huddled together in the white Sec
ton of the cars, or stood upon the rear
platforms, but now and then white man
insisted on sitting in the negro compart-
ment If he could find a seat there, the rest
of the car being crowded.
The conductors had good deal of trouble
as result. The negroes all obeyed the
law unquestioningy; But some Of the
down. That was all there was to IT. The
law did not suit them and they disobeyed
1t. The conductors demonstrated, but with
out effect. Then, under the law and the
orders Of the railways company to its
employees. the conductors asked the names
of the offenders, and made memoranda
of the names and addresses given, and got
other names as witnesses and reported
each such case to headquarters
One white man sat down in a negro seat
In one of the lines patronized by the better
classes.
You can't sit there SIR" said the conduc-
tor.
why not?' asked the passenger.
THAT seat is set apart for negroes" was
the conductors reply.
well. I'm a niger" replied the white
man.
The conductors face wore a look of dis
Dcllel, Dut TIE case was ClOStQ 81 as ne
was concerned.
In one Of the Carrollton cars two mer-
chants sat in one of the seats set apart
for negroes. The compartment held several
negroes and several whites. There was
one vacant negro seat. The two merchants
refused TO move when told by the con-
ductor that they were occupying seats
which, under the law, they could not &C.
cupy. They gave their names, and dozen
passengers gave. their names to the con-
ductor as witnesses. Meanwhile the con-
ductor was in a stew about making change
The car was crowded, and he had more
trouble than he liked. Finally ne got
Strengthened out.
Hang it," he said, simply. but with de-
votional earnestness, when he finally got
back 10 the platform.
Just then a negro boarded the car He
peered into IL, and stood tirndly on the
overcrowded platform. Get in there, Sam"
said one of the white ISLANDERS on the plat
form. There's a vacant seat The Legis-
lature gave IL TO you. You're lucky"
The negro grinned Use amt lookin'
fur no trouble" said he. "Dere's lots of
white folks standin Dey kin have de
seat Dis Niger stays outen hyar"
mo you don't, either.' said another pas
senger. Get inside. quick, or we will
chuck you of. Get In there and sit down.
Make room here for . white man."
The negro laughed and elbowed his way
into the car and sat down. II dam un'er-