The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-14
State RIGHTS
ARE DISCUSSED
IN CONGRESS

Washington. Jan. A-vigorous defence
OF state rights IN dealing with violations
or civil rights or with special elections
where troops have been called into SER
vice served TO enliYen tho debate in the
house OF representatives yesterday In tho
consideration OF the hill to codify the
penal laws OF the United States. Several
Democrats mostly from the southern
states. strenuously sought by amendment
10 reserve 10 the states discretion as TO
the qualifications or voters and OF per-
sons TO serve on juries and 10 limit the
powers or Federal Judges on certain
cases; but every attempt failed.
The Republicans presented a solid front
and the votes all were on party lines
Mr.. De Almond OF Missouri expressed
the view that the powers given 70 FEEDER
al judges in certain cases should ba
curbed Iic offered an amendment 10 section
% OF the bill relating to conspiracies 10
intlmidate government officers by chang
Ing the fine 10 mot less than $500 and
with Imprisonment, with or without labor.
OF mot less" than six years. or both. The
original provision calls for fine of not
moro than 5000 and not more" than
six years Imprisonment
The amendment was lost.
Mr. Williams OF Mississippi then moved
10 strike out the whole section. The mo-
ton was lost. ia TO 129
North Carolina. was amended to limit the
punishment therein prescribed 10 persons
who ''wlfully'' subject inhabitants OF any
state or territory 10 the deprivation or
any rights gained under the constitution
or laws OF tho United States. or 10 pecu-
liar punishments because such inhabit-,
ants are aliens or because OF color or
race.
Opposition TO section % prescribing pen
altiss for attempts 10 disqualify for jury
service any citizen on account OF race or
color came from Messrs Hardy of Texas
and Bartlett OF Georgia. The latter moved
TO amend by striking out the clause ap-
plying the statute 10 juries In state
courts Both declared that the section rs
framed was usurpation OF states rights.
Their arguments were vigorously COM
batted by Mr. Moon OF Pennsylvania. MIR.
| Hepburn OF Iowa taunted the Democrats
with their slogan. Equal rights for ALL
special privileges for none and spoke OF
| the popularity and ability or Mr.. VIII
liams OF Mississippi, who. nevertheless,
| he said defeated Governor Nardaman
J for the senatorship by only small mar
| gin Governor vardaman, he continued,
| made his campaign upon proposalto re-
| peal the constitutional amendments and
! depriving a large class OF citizens OF their
! rights OF citizenship.
| Mr. williams replied that the gentle
OF the causes OF his reduced majority In
| the senatorial race. Nobody In Mississip-
ni he said had any idea that Governor
| yardaman could repeal the fifteentn
| amendment TO the constitution, but Gov
ernor vardaman ran strongly because OF
his popularity and his general record as
governor.
4 CTenn) and Bartlett (Ga.) had advocated
| Mr. Bartlett's motion. Mr.. Driscon OF
| New York assaiied the Democrats for at
tempting TO take away from the negro
his rights as citizen.
The motion was lost II TO %, as was
also a motion by Mr. Hardy to strike OUT
the whole section.
Carolina 10 prevent the presence OF Fed
eraI troops at private state elections ex-
I cent when called for by the legislature or
tho governor Of the state provoked tri-
| angular discussion. which was participa-
| ted IA by Mr. Webb, Mr. Mann or l.in-
oils. who opposed the amendment ana h''
| Cochran of New York. -.
! tinge OF picturesqueness was given
| the debate when the venerable FORMER
speaker. j. Warren Keifer of ONO, pi'.su
| himself against Mr.. Webb, one OF lno
Youngest members OF the house. i"o
! amendment was lost.
strong opposition TO the INSURGENCY "A
penalties prescribed In the sccuvn
! ing to bribery OF government oi'iclaas ~
members of congress came ,, iIon ~,
nemocrats led by Messrs. Russell SMo.).
cockran IN W, Williams (Misso ana
! Gaines (Tenn). ,
/ Nessrs. Cochran, Williams ana oaihos
offered amendments. but all were iost. az
also were amendments offered py Mr.
Rroadhead (Pa) prohibiting members OK
congress from acting as onicers or az
|
state trade. and by Mr.. Webb tN. CO
,,,n,t,ng 10 time or war the section 10
nunish anyone inducing government arti.
scers or workmen to enter the employ OF
any person or private concern