I do not myself feel that there is any great importance in
referring this bill to a committee, for the reason that the
question has been so long before the Senate and has been so
amply discussed. But still that is the usage of the Senate; we
do that with regard to all bills unless under some very strong
emergency; and if the Senator had consented in the first place
to the reference of the bill, we should have had it back long
ago. So, I think, he has nobody to blame but himself that this
bill is not now before the Senate to be acted upon. But I may
be allowed to express the hope, and I have no reason to doubt
that it will be gratified, that the Judiciary Committee will
promptly examine this bill, and report back a Civil-Rights Bill
upon which the Senate can take action before long. I think that
ought to be done for very many considerations,--