New-York tribune., 1908-02-23
THE RACE QUESTION UP.
HOUSE IN IN UPROAR.
Overwhelming Tote against Jim
CrO1o' Cars for Washington.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

/
for Jim Crow in this city. After a
stormy debate in which party and sectional diff;
/ ferences were made evident the amendment was
lost the Republicans voting against it and the
| Democrats for it
Mr.. Hefin declared that separate cars for
whites and blacks had solved the race problem
in Alabama, and he expressed the opinion that
such an arrangement would solve it in Wash
ington.
Mr.. Foster of Vernrc't protested against
the amendment. and said 1t was regrettable
that on the birthday anniversary of George
Washington such an un-American proposition
should be advanced.
Does my friend believe Washington himself
would vote for this amendment if he was here?''
inquired Mr.. GrigSs, of Georgia, amid laughter
"Emphatcally no." responded Mr.. Foster.
The amendment was bitterly fought by Mr.
Madden of Illinois, who asserted that Congress
should never legislate in favor of one element
against another.
He was twitted by Mr.. Griggs who inquired if
he remembered the shotgun quarantine estab-
lished by Governor Tanner against negroes"
Mr. Madden replied that he never conceded
the right of the Governor TO take that action.
BY this time a number of Southern members
were vainly seeking recognition
Which race does the amendment discriminate
against" inquired Mr. Humphreys of Missis-
sippi who first got the Chairman's eye.
Il don't concede the right of the gentleman 20
ask such a question" Mr. Madden replied.
which the Democrats laughed derisiveIy.
Mr.. Humphreys insisted that the amendment
provided equal but separate accommodations.
He provoked Democratic applause and laughter
when he said pointing to the members CALLER
les, that. although the Republicans the
friends of the negro he could not any mem
bers of that race in those galleries.
Has the gentleman ever issued any cards to
the members gallery to negro?" asked Mr..
Griggs-
Yes. sir" Mr. Madden tplied, with emphasis,
! "and will be glad to do SO again"
4 KANsAN DEFENDS NEGROES.
1t remained however for Mr. Campbell of
Kansas, to arouse the greatest interest on the
subject. He defended the negroes of Washing
ton and said he never noticed anything offensive
in their conduct on streetcars.
Nothing disturbs your equanimity except
small children" said Mr.. Clayton. of Alabama.
There are a great many who don't disturb
me at ALL was Mr. Campbelrs retort-
"Would you add the Representative from Ala
bama - inquired Mr. Griggs. amid laughter
Il will add the gentleman smilingIy answered
Mr. Campbell.
BY request" said Mr.. simms. Of Tennessee.
sotto voce.
'rTes'' said Mr.. campbelI. and by request of
the gentleman from Georgia
This repartee convulsed the House and the
galleries which were crowded to the doors with
many persons struggling for admission.
Mr. Campbell said he would regard it as an
evil day when Congress should create class
distinction
a member was heard to say that the Repub-
Iicans were after negro votes. This angered Mr.
Campbell who declared it to he "a shame to the
gentleman from Alabama and his party that
there are thousands of coored men in his state
and in the South who have vote"
Laughter was brought down on him when,
after saying that Kansas guaranteed the rights
and privileges Of every citizen, Mir. Bartlett. of
Georgia read a newspaper dispatch saying that
hotel accommodations had been denied to Booker
T Washington at Wichita, Kan
Mr. Campbell declared that If the dispatch
were true and Mr. Washington had the time to
give to an action in the courts the hotel keeper
would be the defendant in an action for dam
ages. and he added. amid shouts of laughter.
,:the probabilities are that the hotel was
a Democrat from Alabama or Georgia"
The Democrats from Alabama or Georgia"
interrupted Mr. Bartlett. Of Georgia, don't go
10 Kansas very often"
And they don't stay Democrats" was Mr.
Campbers quick retort-
Does the gentleman believe in white and
black children going to the same SCHOOL, Mr.
Hefin asked.
Mr. Campbell replied that his. children at
tended A mixed school in Pittsburg. Kan, his
home
would yolf worship with negro Mr.
Hefin asked
Mr.. Campbell answered that he had done so
only last Sunday.
MI Hefin asked Mr.. Campbell If he believed
in marriage between the races.
No sir shouted Mr.. Campbell, He said
there was vast difference between social equal
itv and political equality. Il would not permit
nv daughter to marry some white men, he ex-
claimed.
would YOU permit her to marry any colored
man" asked Mr.. Beall, of Texas.
Raising his voice to high pitch Mr. Camp
,ou exclaimed: NO sir" and there loud
Republican applause when he added: But
u.ouId permit that coored man to exercise po-
,itical rights under the Constitution"
Mr Clark of Florida. regretted that the sub
iect had taken political aspect 1t was, he
eaid an economic question TO what was best
for both races.
The statements OF Southern people that sepa-
rate accommodations did not mean unequal ac-
con,modations. Mr. OIcott. of New York. de
c1ared TO be untrue. He insisted that the ac-
commodations for the negroes were not equal
TO those given to the whites
The House was thrown into uproar when
Mr. Sims of Tennessee, after urging the mem
hers to get back to the railway bill said: Let's
thrash the 'nigger question out later, even If
we have to thrash each other OUT
A charge by Mr.. Hardwick, of Georgia. that
the Republicans were trying to play a title
politics on the question brought down derisive
laughter and boots him from that side of
the chamber