The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-09
Livernash Draws a Hot
Retort from Bartlett
NEGROES IN THE SOUTH
Those in Mississippi Shown to be Less
Criminal Than the Negroes Of
Massachusetts 1.-The Mir
age of Race Suicide
Fades Away.
Fades Away.
(By the Associated Press.>

Washington, April S.-The House today
passed a large number of bills, principal
among which was the Philippines shipping
bill and the bill appropriating $475, ,000 in
aid of the Lewis & Clark Centennial Ex-
position, to be held in Portland, Ore, in
1905. The only amendment which was
made to the Philippine shipping bill was
1ne extending until July /, 1906, the time
wheE the law shall become operative.
The bill provides that no merchandise,
except supplies for the army ana navy
shall be transported by sea, under pen
atty OF forfeiture, between ports of the
United States and the Philippine archipel-
ago, directly or via a foreign port, or for
any part of the voyage, in any except YES
sells of the United States. 1t does not
prohibit, however, the sailing of any for
eign vesscl between the United States and
the Philippines.
After Messrs. Bartlett, (Ga.), and Rob
inson Qnd), had made brief remarks in
opposition 10 the Lewis & Clark bill Mr..
Livernash (Cahf), in favoring il said it
came with poor grace for Democrats who
have been asking the House to appro-
pirate with great liberality for the South
ern exposition to raise their voices against
so moderate on appropriation as the pend
ing bill called for.
Mr.. Bartlett inquired of Mr.. Livernash
who it was that supported any Southern
exposition appropriation who was now
opposed TO the bill
With some warmth Mr.. Livernash an
hot h.
much if he assumes that regard him as
the only gentleman on this side of the
chamber
This retort nettled Mr.. Bartlett, who
remarked that "the gentleman assumes
a great deal if he assumes that he is a
gentleman at all''
There are some comments" Mr.. Liv-
ernash replied, 'fthat call for no answer. .
He then continued his advocacy of the
passage of the bill.
Mr.. Bowers tMiss.), answered some
statements recently made by Mr.. Gillett
(MassD, regarding violations of the Con
stitution Of some of the Southern States
with respect to negro suffrage.
He read from various decisions of Mis-
sissippi courts in which it was held that
the State did not discriminate against
the races but that it had been fair and
impartial in the enforcement of the suf-
frage clause of the Constitution. He de-
clared that the negro was as safe in the
hands of the Governor of Mississippi as
in those of the Governor of Massachusetts,,
and said that in Mississippi the negro's
right to life, liberty, property and the
pursuit of happiness were as carefully
guarded by the governor as by the Gov
ernor OF Massachusetts, or any other State.
In support of this statement he said that
the only State in which lynching had
been prevented by the swift and timely
of the law was in Mississippi
and this, he said, was due to the personal
action of the governor.
Mr. Bowers made a comparison of the
criminal statistics OF Massachusetts, and
Mississippi. and said these showed that
the negro in the latter State was six times
better than those of Massachusetts,. In
the State of Mississippi. he said. every
avenue of labor was opened to the negro,
and every opportunity given to improve
his condition by industry and toll He
pointed with pride, he said, to the fact
| that in his State the ratio of mulattoes
to the colored population and to the
whole population was less today than it
had been at any time since the war. He
declared that there was less intermlnglng
with negroes than, ever before, and that
the mulatto steadily has become with
the people of Mississippi IAN incident and
recollection of the past.
Mr.. Bowers asserted that the negro's
entry into politics simply was to serve a
party expedent, and that his political
5antism was in and of Republican ascend
ency. He believed, he said, that race
puritv could be preserved absolutely by
the utter segregation of the races in every
scholastic relation. The slightest inter-
mipgling of the races, he declared, was
fraught with peril. He said that the ne
gro was not fit for self government, and
he was greeted with Democratic applause
when be said the negro should, within
constitutional limits be eliminated as "a
II thank Cod" he added, ''the consti-
tption Of Mississippi swept the circle Of
exned;ont 70 accomplish that end He
closed Hpy bv saving that the people of the
South were graphing with the negro
question in an intelligent and patriotic
wav and were better qualified to solve
."y' az" onle of the North