Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1956-08-03
Senator Douglas on Civil Rights Bill

Senator Douglas ID, Ill., the following statement
week following repeated efforts by himself
Lehman Senator Hennngs to force consideration
of the passed Civil Rights bill Oh. r. 62):
pierced behind the complex rules and procedures
that the rules of the senate have been very
skfully prevent action civil rights which
obnoxious the members from the south who sit In the
United States senate
complex purpose has been built up
years carefully guarded carefully defended the pro-
that the be recessed rather than adjourned
that the introduction of bills and resolutions and motions
discharge and of right be shut off In what
would otherwise have been the morning hour the provisions
proceed consideration of bill being sub
ct unlimited debate and requiring eoture motions to Sc
for that and the provisions for unlimited debate
bill up The severe restrictions upon coture
another combined Republican and SOUTH
majority fastened those rules the senate still more
firmly in 1s4s. when am sorry TO say the minority leader
with the members of the south TO make the appica
tion of eoture still more difficult.
think it clear from experience of yesterday
when motion would have permitted to propose action
defeated by the crushing vote of rs to that II will be
immpossible under the rules of the with the
leadership sides the aisle with the present
ttudes of the real leaders of both political parties to
bring civil rights of real substance to vote in
this body Pale limitations be offered by the political
leaders clear their skirts but has been demonstrated
that real improvement be made
l think the which the senate has followed will
probably prevent the American people legislative fashion,
from proceeding to defend the rights of the Negro minor
ity in this country.
/ say that with great sadness, but think is fact.
Many persons may exult this tendency. do not
say that great wrongs perpetrated upon the Ne
times those wrongs perpetrated legally Sometimes they
peperated outside the law by the coercion exercised
Negroes TO prevent them from voting and in various 9TH
They Disseminated against in employment and
in housing They Disseminated against far school
ing concerned They Disseminated against in voting
which frequently they only the peril of their lives,
They assured of fair trial frequently
eeive IT, regard all this great blot upon the American
people and unworthy of the ideals upon which this Re
public wounded Ii is in the deepest the
un- Christian.
want say that the of the United States along
with all the other matters with which has deal has in
this matter heavy burden upon its conscience.
think result of the dsiusionng experience have
thru that practically there very little do The
Negroes of this Nation subjected quarters 10
great economic and physical and deprived of
their basic rights under the constitution The rules of the
senate devised that defend them and
thus legislative action In their protection will be almost
impossible
/ do believe the American people can permanently
postpone dealing with this But members OF
ate who in this quiet and times pleasant club
hope TO the scuny Of the public opinion only Of
this country, but of the world
have probably been very sklfu In the efforts which
have made TO bring this a have tried my
best but know that least occasions have been
ouwitted by the very able field generals the opposing
must seek TO right the great wrongs have inflicted upon
God. do question the those however who
have taken contrary position merely say this issue
which will weigh only upon the country
but upon the conscience Of the senate