The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1940-01-19
Republican Block
Responsible For
Lynch Bill Vote
BY EMMETT ]. SCOTT

WAEot11lNGIOIN, II. -. - Inc
Anti-Lynching Bill was the first
item on the Calendar in the House
of Representatives Monday, Jam
uary 8, forced there last July by
bipartisan vote of 116 Repub-
licans, SO Democrats, Progress
sives, and 1 Laborite.
The debate on the measure be-
gan Monday in the most pacific
way in connection with the vote
as to whether the Committee on
Rules should be discharged from
further consideration of the resolu-
ton. When the vote was taken
there were 256 ayes and ia nays,
answered present" not voting
So. 149 Republicans, 104 Demo-
Gratis, 2 Progressives and 1 Ameri-
can Laborite voted to take up the
bill. Against it were Ill Demo-
Gratis and 8 Republicans.
Congressman Martin ]. Kenne-
dy, of New York, who opened the
debate, stated that Jackson Day
is a most appropriate day to dis
cuss so important a resolution.
Andrew Jackson, he said, was a
courageous and fearless man. He
urged that the pending bill be con-
sidered in an atmosphere of good
fellowship and brotherhood, and in
calm, friendly and dispassionate
manner. He particularly empha-
sized the fact that there is nothing
of sectional Importance about this
bill. 1t simply implements our de-
mocracy to protect minorities
against mob law wherever it may
break out, he said.
Also, he called attention to the
fact that the Nation Is now war
ring on crime and that 'the only
gap is lack of an Anti-Lynching
| Statute"
Pass this Bill" he said, land
lynching, the crime against demo-
cracy and tolerance will be gone
with the wind"
1t remained for Congressman
Arthur w. Mitchell, Democrat, the
only colored member of Congress,
to holly charge the Republican
party with trying to buy back the
colored vote" in supporting the
pending Anti-Lynching bill. Equal
ly hot resentment followed this
statement by several Republicans,
including Representative Hamilton
Fish of New York, and Represen-
tative Mcdowell, Republican of
Pennsylvania. The latter accused
Mr.. Mitchell of trying to ALLEVIATE
the Republicans from the bills
support, and asserted that 90 per
cent of his Party Colleagues would
vote for it.
Congressman Mitchell's speech
was assertedly in support of the
Bill. His political charges brought
into the discussion, however, tan
gents calculated to wreck it, by
alternating Republican support.
Congressman James Seccombe,
Republican of Ohio, stated that he
intended to vote for the Bill as a
matter of principle with the feel
ing that it is absolutely constitu-
tional and not a matter of trying
to buy anyone's vote as stated by
Congressman Mitchell. He also
said that this Is not a racial ques-
ton. He quoted Congressman Nit
chell's letter to Joseph Parvis of
$500 Calumet Ave, Chicago, say
ing that he could not take up the
matter Of securing job for him
with the Work Projects Admins
tration unless he first had letter
from his Ward Committeeman.
"I think this is question of
principle, and think this betrays
his sincerity in trying to claim
who Is Santa Claus and who isn't"
Congressman Seccombe said. II
have the highest regard for the
colored race, and 1t is on that prin-
ciple that I intend to vote for this
bill. But if anyone ever talked
against just bill in behalf of the
colored people, then certainly the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Nit
chell) did this afternoon. I think
he should have some explaining to
do to the white people as well as
the colored people in his district,
and to the people Of this Nation.