calsfoundation@cals.org
January 27, 1891
A second protest meeting of about 400 people was held in the House of Representative chambers to debate the proposed Tillman bill, introduced earlier in the month, which required the provision of racially separate facilities on passenger coaches in railroad cars and waiting rooms and which would levy significant fines against anybody violating the restrictions. While the prominent black leaders and professional men who spoke against the bill were impressively articulate, rational, and well informed, the Separate Coach Law of 1891 was ultimately passed by an overwhelming majority in both houses and remained on the books for the next eighty-two years.