The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-12-06
THE LEGISL ATURE.

was permanently organized by election Of
Duncan N. Cage, of Terrebonne Speaker.
There were only two candidates placed in
nomination; E Waggaman, Of Jefferson,
who received seventeen votes and Mr.. Cage
who received seventy five votes. 7. L,
Maxwell was elected chef clerk on the
fourth ballot, the vote being as follows;
Maxwell, So; Morehead, "a; Eastin, 8. Z.
w. Halsey was elected Assistant Clerk
on the third ballot, the vote being: Halsey
65 votes; Lazare rs. Mr.. Murphy was
elected Sergeant-at-arms and j. w. Da-
Wis Doorkeeper by reclamation.
In the Senate on the sixth day the fol-
lowing proceedings are reported;
PROVIDING FOR CONVENTION.
Mr.. Foute called up the bill providing
for the calling eta Convention, fixed as
the special order of the day. =.
Here the clergyman selected by the
Archbishop to offer prayer, arrived, having
mistaken the hour at which the Senate
were to assemble. Mr.. NOLAN rendered
his excuse, saying he had come too late.
Mr.. FOute held it was never too late to
pray, and as the order Of the day was a
very serious matter, he moved that the
Rev. Father proceed.
The bill was then read. published in
our edition of the 25th.)
Mr.. Mohan offered an amendment-to
adjourn sine die ON the adoption of the
resolution.
On motion to refer Mr.. Foute's resolu-
ton to the Committee on Constitutional
Amendments, Senator NOLAN suggested Il
special committee
Mr.. Foute was surprised that the reso-
luton was not adopted, with solemn 81
lence on other subjects. He would meet
in advance some of the objections he had
heard. He never would yield principles to
expediency. Gentlemen would find that
by abandoning principle they would find
themselves without the result they inten-
taed to obtain. Expediency would aban-
don them, and they would be left without
the expedient. Further legislation would
not stop inundation, and vagrant laws ex-
list in full scope, and need only to be en-
forced. He maintained that there was no
further legislation necessary, expecting the
calling of convention.
Mr.. Kenner was opposed to the. policy
inaugurated by Mr.. Foute. The State Of
Louisiana was not yet free and an indie
pendent State, in the Union and governed
by republican principles. There is no ha-
beas corpus, no safety for person, nor liber-
ty, nor prosperity under military rule.
Were the policy of Mr.. Foute carried out,
our Federal relations would suffer in Con-
gress. We must strengthen the Presi-
dent, who recognizes the Constitution
which was framed by the Convention call
ed by order of Mr.. Lincoln. The people
of the suffering lowlands Of the State ask
for protection, cry for bread and the men,
bers give them stone. The foundations
that have threatened our State are most
destructive and require special legislation.
AS for the negro, he is entitled to civil
rights, if not to social or political equality;
must not be educated to dodge the respon-
sibilities of his condition. The white man
must be educated to keep his
On motion of Mr.. Eagan, who desired to
speak upon the subject, the floor was given
him at 10oclock on Friday, until which
hour the Senate adjourned.
On the same day, in the House, we find
the following:
TO ADJOURN ON PROVIDING FOR A CoNyEN-
TIoN OF THE PEOPLE.
A resolution was introduced that pro-
vided for calling Convention of the peo-
Pile, and resolved on an immediate adjourn
ment as soon as this duty was performed.
Mr.. Eustis in behalf Of this resolution,
called upon the House to act consistently
in this matter upon this great question now
under discussion. Let it be known that
this body does not pretend or claim to ex-
ercise legislative power under the de. facto
Constitution, lest by these acts it be made
q de j,re Constitution; for this purpose he
argued in favor of an adjournment sine die,
as soon as the work OF calling a Conyen-
ton Of the people had been accomplished.
1t was not sufficient to employ our energies
said the member, in the denunciation of
the Constitution Of 1864; mere dcnuncia-
ton did not reach the question at issue.
The members laid down the general pro-
position that the members were elected un-
der the de facto Constitution, Constitu-
ton that signifies Government. The peo-
pie Of the State had been segregated, sep
Grated, alienated from this Government?
The Constitution of 1864 ceald not be ig-
nored. He cautioned the members against
proceeding under that Constitution. The
members may denounce this de facto Con-
stitution--but the moment they legislated
under it it became de .iure and the organic
law Of the land.
" ~" melton to lay upon the table being
ost, the resolution was still before the
House, when it was finally referred, under
! suspension at the rules, to the committee
Of nine.
We close this summary Of the Legislature
LONGS, with the last days proceedings that
nave reached US. We have only space for
hose Of the
FRIDAY, December l, 1865.
Senate met this morning at ten O'Clock,
Judge Burthe, the President in the chair.
Mr.. Eoute's rpsolttians callinr a Convon |