The St. Louis Republic., 1903-02-18

BY 4 STAFF CORRESPONDENT.
Jefferson City. Mo-. Feb. li.-Colone
| Crisp and Lon Williams this afternoon wo
the first round in thsir fight for separat
coaches for white persons and negroes, an
the bill was sent 10 engrossment. Severa
| Representatives said privately that the.
would vote for engrossment. but would vot
| against the bill on final passage.
| Every che about the capital expected t.
| See some fun at the discussion. No one wa
! disappointed. Consideration of the bill wa
set for > o'clock this afternoon. The gal
, lerles were filled. I-aGies and white mel
| occupied one part and negroes the otbe
| half The fact that some of the ladiss Wef'
| compelled to stand while negroes Wef
| seated was commented upon sarcasticaii.
| by Crisp in his speech.
| The bill provides that all railroad train
| shall have separate and equal accommoda
| tions for white persons and negroes. Al
! amendment includes street cars 1t Is salt
| that the bill is copy of the MISSISSIPPI
| law. which has been upheld by the United
| States Supreme Court.
| DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.
| Williams of Scott opened the argument
| for the engrossment of the bill. Ever.
| white woman is in favor of this measure,
| he said. Let every man who thinks TN
| negro is his equal vote for this Dill IL ht
| does not Lot him vote for it. There Is de
| mand for separate coaches IL a negro soss
l info a car where there is white womar
| he will either sit in front of or behind her
| God Almighty intended negroes and whites
should be separated.
How do you know God Almighty intend
ed so?'' shouted Murphy Of St. Louis.
Because he made negroes black. whites
white. A mules mule and. began VIII
liams. Up jumped Crisp.
T prOtpSf against anN IN
temperate speeches I do not want to vote
against my own bill. but l shall be COM
PEELED to do SO If there is single intem-
perate speech. There is no politics in this
measure. Let Mr.. Williams and all others
discuss this in a scholarly manner"
Williams continued, II wasn't talking pol
itics. I just said that God Almighty made
a white man better than Niger
CARTER AMENDMENT. --5
Carter of Grundy introduced Joke
amendment to the bill providing for three
Jim Crow commissioners, two to be Dem
ocrats, and one Republican, who should
receive 5000 year salary, and who should
determine who are negroes and who are
whites the per cent of negro blood In those
of doubtful race and that a stenographer
should be employed to keep record of all
investigations.
Laughter followed the introduction of the
amendment. Crisp and Williams were both
on their feet shouting for recognition.
II have often heard that it takes dog.
a monkey and a Jackass to make a circus"
said Crisp. but / did not think any man
Of this House would descend to such busi-
ness. To think that such an amendment
should he offered here!''
Williams moved that the amendment be
defeated. The Republicans voted for it and
it was downed by Sc to IS.
Mcpherson moved the previous question.
but the members wished to hear more talk
and refused to end the discussion by vote
of 20 to I.
Morris of Schuyler moved an amendment
adding a provision making the law apply
only to excursion trains. 1t was adopted
ay q vive voce vote.
CRISP'S PLEA.
Crisp then made his effort in favor of en-
grossment. II have never done one cruel
act to this race of people, he said. after a
review of the war. Never would impose
a hardship on this people. 1 have tried to
secure pardons for negroes when they were
condemned to hang. Where is the Repub-
lican this side of Abraham Lincoln who can
say as much?
Defeat this bill. if you will. but I will
have the approval Of my conscience and of
the mothers and sisters who have appealed
to me. l am too old man to ask for any
thing else have no political ambition be-
l.
could have been Governor or United States
Senator had I said the word. but there Is
nothing in it. Tell me where there is any
thing offensive in this bill. Would you have
this land filled with mulattoes?"
Murphy of st. Louis said he would an
swer. 'Since the Republican party has in
terfered for the negro he has gotten blacker
and blacker."
II don't believe it," cried Crisp.
'Since the war this State has been a ne
hatchery"
WOMEN STAND.
Crisp then walked down the aisle with
uplifted hands and shouted: You would
make monkey of me. Look at that gal
ery. There are women standing there. while
negroes are sitting"
Members generally applauded Crisp hap-
pened TO look at Speaker Whitecotton, who |
was talking to two men. II will stop until
the Speaker finishes" he said The Speaker
called for a vote-and Crisp resumed After
A few sentences he said, solemnly: Il have
Williams OF Scott moved reconsideration
Of the Morris amendment, providing that It
apply only to excursion trains, saying he
lid not understand the provision. On a
rive-voce vote the amendment was killed.
kronck presented an amendment exclud-
ing through trains. Upon motion Of Will
lams the bill was sent to engrossment
Railroad legislation was made a special |
order for tomorrow at p. M. in the
Senate. The Railroad Committee reported
this morning the maximum freight bill
With a number OF amendments. This bill
was was introduced BY Bradley of ST. Fran
McGrew bill. 1t is expected that the
will be fought bitterly before
he bill Is sent to engrossment, If It Is sent