The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-24

PUtLMAAS OPEN TO NEGROES.
NO STATE LAW TO PREVENT
THEIR RIDING ON INTER.
STATE JOURNEYS.
Attorney General Peoples i'm Giving
Opinion Urges Congressman to Have
Federal Laws Changed.

Columbia, May 20.-Attorney Gem
eral Peoples yesterday gave the opin-
ion that there is no State law to pre-
vent negroes riding on Pullmans on
interstate Journeys. The opinion was
given in reply to letter from John
G. Richards, Jr., chairman Of the rail-
road commission, in which it was ask
ed that an investigation be made of
negro occupying a berth of Pull
man on the Southerns early morning
train from the North.
The letter of the attorney general to
Chairman Richards follows:
II am in receipt of yours of the
18th inst, in reference to a negro
day Of May on Southern train No. 81,
which runs from Washington to
Jacksonville, / note that you say that
this negro had secured his ticket and
berth In the city of Washington and
that his destination was Savannah,
Ga. In reply thereto / beg to say
that being a native OF South Carolin
and believing in the separation of the
races and holding the personal opin-
ion that i do in regard to same.
would be very glad indeed to be able
TO give you an opinion that the Pull
man company could not allow mem
bers Of the negro race to be passengers
in their cars within the borders OF
South Carolina. This, however, is a
matter absolutely beyond the control
OF the general assembly of this State
when 1T con- TO interstate travel, ana
therefore is absolutely beyond the
control of the courts or executive de-
partment Of this State.
I'VE have no remedy at law in
case such as you mention, unless il
should be PERHAPS a personal remedy,
to which, of course. as attorney gen
teral l can not advise you or any
other man to resort. ----- -7r---------.-,-
There is no law upon our statute
books which would reach such condi-
tons as you set out in your letter, and
II there were it would be imperative
on account Of the fact that it would be
IN violation of the federal constitu-
ition, which gives to. the American
congress the sole right to regulate
commerce between the States.
Il would respectfully suggest that
you take IL" matter up with the Unit.
ed States senators and congressman
from this State and request them to
do that which they should have done
long ago-make some endeavor and
try to get through some federal
statute similar to our State statute
providing for separate accommoda-
ton for the different races upon Pull
man cars and all interstate trains, or
at least ask them to attempt to get a
Dill passed similar in some respects to
what is commonly known as the Webb
act. which applies to shipments of
liquor, leaving to the respective States
the right to regulate the carrying and
transportation Of interstate passengers
In this particular, as is done as to the
regulation of shipments of liquor
PERSONALLY and Officially | would
rather see the Pullman cars taken off
all together than to see negroes riding
In them along with white people; but
can not make the law, l can only
cOnstrue it.
IN this connection / think that
your commission should promulgate a
rule that in the future in taking ad-
vantage Of the exemption as to nurses
riding In the car provided for white
people that there should be required
Il certificate that the nurse is q bona
hde nurse i'm order that those OF us
who travel will not be subject to some
y fthe annoyances and inconvcniences
To which we are now subject on ac-
count or proper restrictions not being
thrown around this exemption"
REPORT FAVORABLY ON WOODS.