St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1956-06-08
Humphrey Answers
CourieT'S Queries
CONTINUED from page ID


Presidency should be used pos
itively and firmly TO supplant
defiance with compliance thru
out America. Within his Con-
stitutlOnal limitations, the Presi-
dent Is In a unique position 10
Influence public behavior favor
ably on the issue Of desegrega-
ton. regret TO say that Presl-
dent Eisenhower, however well
meaning, has not exhibited the
kind Of leadership which the sit
uation requires.
%: Question: Would you, IL elect
ed President, favor the creation
by Congress Of a permanent BIZ
partisan, inter-racial commission
on civil. rights with power TO sub
poena witnesses and conduct nee
essary Investigations?
Answer: The creation by
Congress Of a permanent bl-par-
tisOn lnter-raciaI commission on
civil rights, equipped with the
essential subpoena and investi-
gatory powers, would be an i'm
pOrtant instrument Of further
progress. have continually adj
vOcated such a commission ever
since 1913 when I came TO the
senate. During the current ses-
sion, I am the sponsor of =. 9O6
and \. 9O7, either Of which bills
would provide for the establish
ment Of such "A Commission.
-. Question: Would you, II
elected president, be in favor Of
the creation of a Joint Congress
sional Commute on civil rights?
Answer: Likewise, ever since
1913, I have sponsored legisla.
ton to create Joint Congress.
sionaI Committee on Civil
Rights. In the present Congress
I have sponsored =. Con. Res. 3
and =. 9O7, measures which
would create Joint Congress
sional Committee which would
consist Of IL members, Z from
each house. The Committee
would be given broad inyestiga-
tory, consultative and advisory
Jurisdiction.
%. Question: Would you, II
elected President, be in favor Of
the creation Of a Division Of Civil
Rights in the Department Of
Justice?
Answer: The creation OF a
division ON civil rights In the
Department of Justice would al
W, believe, spur the Executive
Branch OF the Government TO
greater action In the civil rights
field. I am currently the spon-
sor Of s. 9O2 and s. 9O7, either
Of which would elevate the co.
isting civil rights unit In the De-
partment Of Justice 10 the
status Of adiVision under an As
sistant Attorney General. and
would strengthen the FRS ca
pacity to investigate civil rights
violations.
g. Question: Would you, II
elected President, be in favor of
strengthening existing civil rights
statutes TO the extent that a citi-
zen, denied a civil right Ito vote
for example) might seek remedy
through the federal courts
whether the offender was the
state Tor its representative or a
citizn. or citizens, who, by threats
or intimidation, denied or abdirg-
ed the right Of another citizen to
| Vote
Answer: II II essential that
strengthen existing civil rights
statutes. =, sOS. Is bill which
I have sponsored for the specific
purpose Of amending and sup
pIementing existing civil rights
statutes, II was designed 10
carry out recommendations
made by the Department Of Jus
tice rs long ago as 1882.
/ am also the sponsor Of S.9O1,
a bill TO outlaw the poll tax as a
condition Of voting in any primary
or other elections for national Of.
hces; Of S. 9OS. a bill to protect
the right 10 political participation
including the right to vote, by
providing for criminal penalties
against infringement Of this right
and Of s sO4. a bill TO strengthen
the laws relating to convict labor
peonage, slavery and involuntary
Scrvitude.
Il favor legislation TO allow an
aggrieved citizen to seek a rem
edy through the Federal Courts
against the denial or Arrangement
Of his right to vote from any
source. I would also include spec,
ide authority for the Attorney
General to seek an injunction a.
gainst any person who denies or
interferes with the right OF an
! other citizen to exercise his vot-
ing privileges
The right 10 vote must be
free and unfettered. II must BE-
Eealously guarded. II Is the duty
of the Federal Government to
safeguard H.
Continued Next Week.