Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-02-23
Gentleman From Alabama
Would Provide Jim Grow
Cars for Negroes on WASH
ington Street Railways,
REPUBLICANS DENOUNCE
SCHEME AS UNAMERICAN
Campbell of Kansas Vigorously
Defends Right of CoIored
Citizen to Political Equality
Often Denied Him,
[By Morning Journal Special Leased wlre.I

IBy Morning journal Special Leased Wire ]
Washington, Feb 22.-The race
question came to the surface in the
house today when Mr.. HeGIm of Ala
hama, offered an amendment to the
District of Columbia street railway
trackage bill providing for Jim
Grow" cars, Mr. Heflin declared
that separate coaches for the whites
and blacks had solved the race prob
lem in Alabama, and he expressed
the opinion that such an arrangement
would solve it in Washington,
Mr.. Foster, of Vermont, voiced his
protest against the amendment, and
said that it was regrettable that on
the birthday of George Washington
such an un-American proposition
should be advanced.
Does any man believe Washington
himself would vote for this amend
ment if he was here" inquired Mr.
Griggs, of Georgia amid laughter.
"Emphatically no. responded Mr.
Foster.
The amendment was bitterly fought
by Mr.. Madden, of Illinois, who as
serted that congress should never leg
islate il favor of one element against
another, He was twitted by Mr..
Griggs, who inquired of him if he re-
membered the shotgun quarantine es-
tablished by Governor Tanner against
negroes"
Mr.. Madden responded that he
never conceded the right of Governor
TdnGt. .tJ act as he aid Ity this times
a number of southern members were
vainly seeking recognition.
Which race does the amendment
discriminate against" inquired Mr.
Humphreys, Of Mississippi, who first
got the chairman's eye,
Il don't concede the right Of the
gentleman to ask such question" Mr.
Madden replied at which the mem
bers derisively laughed. Mr.. Humph-
reys insisted that the amendment pro-
vided equal but separate accommoda-
tions. He provoked democratic laugh
ter and applause when he said, point
ing to the people in the galleries, that
although the republicans were the
friends of the negroes, he could not
see any members of the African race
In those galleries
Has the gentleman ever issued any
cards to the members gallery to ne
grd?' asked Mr.. Griggs, insistently,
Yes, sir Mr. Madden replied, "and
! will be glad to do so again"
1t remained, however, for Mr..
Campbell, of Kansas to grouse the in
terest of the house on the subject. He
defended the negroes Of Washington,
and said he never noticed anything
offensive in their conduct on street
cars.
Nothing disturbs your equant tty
except small Children remarked Mr..
CLAYTON, of Alabama.
There are a great many who do
not disturb me at all" was Mr.. Camp
bells retort.
would you add the representative
from Alabama" inquired Mr. Griggs,
amid laughter.
II win add the gentleman" said
MI Campbell, smlingly.
BY request" said Mr. Simms, of
Tennessee, soto voice.
Yes" said Mr Campbell, "and by
rcouest from the gentleman from Ala
bama.
The repartee convulsed the mem
bers. and occupants of the galleries,
which had become hacked to the
doors, with many strueeljna. for ad-
mittance.
Mr Campbell said he would regard
it as an evil day when congress would
create class distinction
A voice was heard to say that the
republicans were after negro votes.
This inflamed Mr. Campbell. who de-
clared it to be "a shame to the gen
neman from Alabama and his marty
that there are thousands of colored
men in his state and in the south who
have no vote" Laughter was brought
upon him when, after stating that
Kansas guarded the rights Of every
citizen. Mr.. Bartlett, of Georgia, read
q dispatch stating that Booker Wash !