At the next stage of the bill, Mr. Sumner renewed his amendment, when it was adopted,--Yeas 17, Nays 16. The bill passed the Senate, and was the subject of conference between the two Houses, but it never became a law. * * * * * January 17, 1865, the Senate having under consideration the bill to incorporate the Baltimore and Washington Depot and Potomac Ferry Railway Company, Mr. Sumner moved the same amendment, which was adopted,--Yeas 24, Nays 6. This bill was passed by the Senate, but it never became a law. February 4, 1865, the Senate having under consideration a bill to amend the charter of the Metropolitan Railroad Company, Mr. Sumner moved the following amendment:-- “That the provision prohibiting any exclusion from any car on account of color, already applicable to the Metropolitan Railroad, is hereby extended to every other railroad in the District of Columbia.” This amendment became necessary in order to reach the Washington and Georgetown Railroad Company. It was opposed by Mr. Dixon, of Connecticut, Mr. Conness, of California, and Mr. Hale, of New Hampshire, the last regarding it in the nature of general legislation on a private act. Mr. Sumner replied, that it was needed, in order to bring the Metropolitan Railroad on an equality with the other roads, inasmuch as Congress had already imposed the prohibition upon that road; and, secondly, that it was germane, inasmuch as the Senate might engraft upon any railroad charter any proposition, special or general, concerning the subject-matter. The amendment was lost,--Yeas 19, Nays 20. At the next stage of the bill, Mr. Sumner renewed his amendment. February 6th, Mr. Dixon, Chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia, withdrew his opposition, saying: “I opposed it on the ground that it seemed to conflict with the rights of another Company, not now before the Senate [the Washington and Georgetown Railroad Company]; but since that time I have seen the managers and controllers of that Company, and find that they are unwilling to contend on this subject with what they consider to be the public opinion. They therefore make no objection to it, and I shall make none.” The amendment was adopted,--Yeas 26, Nays 10. The bill as amended passed the House and was approved by the President, so that it became illegal for any railroad in the District of Columbia to exclude any person from any car on account of color.