The Kentucky Jim Crow Car Law

June 9, 1894

Summary

The Separate Car Law, which segregated the rail cars in Kentucky, is declared unconstitutional by the United States Circuit Court.

Transcription

Judge Barr of the United States Circuit Court in the case of Anderson against the Louisville & Nash Railroad Co. has decided the Separate Car Law of Kentucky unconstitutional.
This is a great victory for the colored people, not only of that state but of the entire country, and it is indeed a source of gratification that 1 upright judge could be found who would fit a see deliver an opinion in accordance with the law and the facts.
It was to be regretted that such a test case had to be made up and rather a matter of surprise that enough liberal-minded Democratic white man could not have been found to have killed such a pernicious measure in the community rooms of the legislature.
We have a much better class of democratic white men in this state. Although the prejudiced Gov. McKinney recommended the enactment of such a law, hoping no doubt to win the approval of the white rabble, he was unceremoniously “ Sat down upon”, for the bill was killed.
When white men act in this patriotic matter it makes the colored citizen realize that he has a state to labor 4. It Kindles the fire of patriotism and caused him to respond with alacrity to any call made by our Chief Executive.
As to the decision in the case of the Kentucky law, there will, of course, be to the new United States Appellate Court, which body, We Trust will sustain the decision of Judge Barr.
About this article

Location on Page

Upper Right Quadrant

Contributed By

Carlos Serrano

Citation

“The Kentucky Jim Crow Car Law,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1534.