New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-02-22
GENERAL AssEMBLY OF LOUISIANA
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 81, 1866.
Senate.

SENATE.
Pursuant to adjournment from yesterday, the
Senate met at noon to-day, Lieutenant Governor
VOORHEES, in the Chair.
On the roll being called twsnty-six Senators re-
sponded.
Prayer was offered by the Rev Father Jeremiah
Moynihan.
The journal of yesterday proceedings was read
and approved.
There were present during the proceedings the
following Senators: Messrs. Abney, Anderson
Armstrong, BrownIee, Brusle, Burthe, Campbell
Cody, Duvigneaud, 'Egan, Ellis, Fellowes, Foute
Gibson Gordon, Hough, Kayanagh, Kenner, La
peyre, Lott, Mohan Munday, Newton of Jackson
Newton of Morehouse, Nelson, Palfrey, Poche,
Purcell, scruggs and Wicoxon.
Mr.. Bruse presented as correctly enrolled the
bill to legitimate Andrew Jackson Dunn.
Mr.. Poche called up the joint resolution relative
to sending commissioners to Washington to repre-
sent the sentiment of the people of Louisiana to-
ward the national government.
Mr.. Kenner objected to proceeding with the
matter at present. There were certain things
transpiring. to which it might not be altogether
parliamentary for him to allude, but to which it
was necessary he should point for the purpose of
making himself understood. He meant to say that
certain propositions before the other House might
become law, and tend to remove any unpeasantness
that may have existed between different depart
ments of the government When that result had
been attained, the people, their representatives
and the Executive would stand as a unit, and the
commissioners would be able to represent them TO
the best advantage. He was unwilling to act in
the matter until that accommodation had been
effected. There was some fear that this might not
be done, though he hoped it would, and could see
no good reason why it might not be. He wished
it to be understood that he was not opposed to the
resolution. All he desired was that our mere local
differences should not be laid open to question in
Washington.
Mr. Poche said he could see no connection be.
tween the remarks of the Senator from Ascension
thr. kenner), and the subject before the Senate.
Ii he understood the object of sending the commits
soners to Washington it had nothing whatever to do
with our domestic broils but was confined entirely
to the representation of the sentiments of the
people Of Louisiana to that wise, good and truly
great man, who was doing all he could to restore
! that Union for which they SO earnestly yearned,
5and OF whose firm devotion to which so illusrious
proof had been given in the veto of the mon
strous Freedmen's Bureau bill, that had just been
published in this city. Similar delegations to this
had already been sent to Washington from Vir-
gina, and he had no doubt had had the effect
which was hoped for that from this State--that of
aiding to confirm the President in the confidence
he had so magnanimously and so justly reposed in
the people of the South.
Mr.. Mohan said he should favor the speedy pas
sage of the resolution, because he thought the
action contemplated was actually necessary. 1t
was impossible to do too much to give assurance
to the President of the real sentiments of the peo-
Pile, and to strengthen him against the misrepre.
sensations which the whole world knows have
been made, and are being made against them.
Mississippi had sent similar delegation to Wash
ngton. So had Alabama, and nearly every South
ern Stste.
Mr., Foute said he could not see on what ground
there could be question raised as to the propriety
of sending on the proposed commissioners. The
question of economy was too insignigcantJto be
thought Of in a question of such Importance
They could not but throw more light upon sub
jects which the President could not but have to
consider in connection with the people of Louisi-
ana, than was at present at his command If he
were the most devoted friend of the Governor he
would recommend the sending of them on that
ground alone.
Mr.. Anderson thought it quite unnecessary to
pass this resolution. We had had Senators and
Representatives at Washington, some of whom
had just returned and others yet remained there,
and we had been called on to pay them. From
them the President could get all the information
and all the assurance to the sentiments of the
people1 that he could from these commissioners
Aessrs Hunt and WickHe, still in Washington,
are as capable as any commissioners who can be
sent there. They know the loyalty of the people
as well. They will represent them as faithfully.
Mr.. Egan spoke very earnestly in support of the
resolution and referreds to the general course of
President johnson, and especially to his veto on
the Frcedmen's Bureau bill, in terms of the warm.
est eulogium. In consideration of this action, he
thought that special commission ought to be
sent to Washington to show the feeling. What
more proper, he asked, than those so much
indebted to him should do their utmost to yindi-
cate his protection of them, to strengthen his
hands and purpose as much as may lie in their
power, and especially by cordial and direct
communication upon the subject? 1t had
been said we already have able representatives
in Washington. Granted But is it not known that
those gentlemen are applicants for seats in Con-
gress, already claimed, and that this makes their
position, in relation to the President, one of pecu
liar delicacy, especially for him? Could he receive
them as frankly, as frequently, and as freely, as
he could gentlemen who would in no way involve
him in seeming preference for some over other
claimants, for seats in Congress? And even if this
were not so, do we not owe it to the people of the
country districts that they should be represented
better than they yet have been? Mr.. King had
told us thai when in Washington he had found it
impraticabie to keep in regular communication
with them. These commissioners would carry the
representations of their sentiments to the latest
moment. As for their being appointed for any
such narrow purpose as that of dealing with local
difference, which may almost be said to no longer
exist, it was scarcely worthy of moments CON
sideration.
Mr.. Hough opposed the resolution on the ground
of the expense it would incur, of the plenipotep.
kiary powers it gave to the commissioners, and of
their having been no appreciable advantage from
the sending of similar delegations from other
States. These commissioners might stay in Wash
ington, under this resolution, the next session, and
as their representatives already sent there had
cost $1,000 so the commissioners might cost
$4,000.
Mr., Poch6 said the question as to economy was
not worthy of consideration in connection with the
important subject. AS to the good that had been
done by the sending of delegates from other