Existing comment:
The Morse Motion
Senator Wayne Morse (D-OR) (1900–1974), filed a motion to send H.R. 7152 to the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator James Eastland (D-MS), with instructions that it be reported out after ten days. On March 19, he suggested that this referral would give the Senate time to consider a coffee bill that would help in Latin-American relations. In an open telegram Clarence Mitchell retorted, "Surely our country should not ask its colored citizens to stand aside for international coffee problems when they are being arrested, beaten, and bitten by dogs simply because they seek to purchase this beverage at public lunch counters." The Morse motion was defeated on March 26. |