Fentress County Democratic and Conservative Meeting Minutes
These minutes from the Democratic and Conservative Meeting held at the Fentress County Courthouse on September 7, 1874 discuss the meeting purpose which was to select delegates to represent them at the Congressional Convention (to be held in Carthage on October 1, 1874), at the Senatorial Convention (to be held in Crossville on September 18, 1874), and at the convention to nominate a candidate to the Legislature (if one should be held). The group argues that it is of the most vital importance ... that there should be no division among those who are opposed to Radical Rule (and the Civil Rights Bill) and selects J. C. Wright, A. M Garrett, S. H. Pile, B. F. Stephens, G. W. Beaty, L. F. Smith, J. C. Taylor, Marvin Johnson, Jefferson McGee, and S. V. Bowden to represent their views.
Dates
- 1874 September 7
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Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 oversize folder)
Abstract
These minutes from the Democratic and Conservative Meeting held at the Fentress County Courthouse on September 7, 1874 discuss the meeting purpose which was to select delegates to represent them at the Congressional Convention (to be held in Carthage on October 1, 1874), at the Senatorial Convention (to be held in Crossville on September 18, 1874), and at the convention to nominate a candidate to the Legislature (if one should be held). The group argues that it is of the most vital importance ... that there should be no division among those who are opposed to Radical Rule (and the Civil Rights Bill) and selects J. C. Wright, A. M. Garrett, S. H. Pile, B. F. Stephens, G. W. Beaty, L. F. Smith, J. C. Taylor, Marvin Johnson, Jefferson McGee, and S. V. Bowden to represent their views.
Biographical/Historical Note
Senator Charles Sumner introduced the Supplementary Civil Rights Bill in 1870. It passed the U.S. Senate in 1872, 1873, and 1874 but only succeeded in the House of Representatives during the lame-duck session of 1875. The bill was intended to allow African-Americans to ride on public transportation, stay at inns, and attend theaters and other entertainment venues. The original measure would have allowed African-Americans access to public schools and cemeteries as well, but these provisions were deleted in the final version. The victory, however, was short-lived: the Supreme Court declared the law unconstitutional on October 15, 1883, arguing that the 14th amendment was intended to protect people from government mistreatment, not from mistreatment by their fellow citizens. Numerous state decisions codifying segregation followed, culminating in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). Meaningful Civil Rights legislation would not reappear until the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
No specific information could be found regarding the Democratic and Conservative Meeting of Fentress County.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Special Collections purchased these minutes in October of 1987.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository