The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-02-20
MIR. ELIOT'S BILL.
The New Orleans Riot Committees
Report.
Louisiana State Government Reor-
gained. s5a
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1867.

luVcStlSaCe the NEW OIicftuS IiotS eIdtcS tildI
they commenced on the following day ex-
aiming citizens of Louisiana here. They
commenced examination at New Orleans on
the 22d of December, and closed on the 3rd
of January. They resumed here on the 10Th
and closed the examination on the I'd Of
February. They examined 179 witnesses, Al
of whom were examined by request at New
Orleans. Our history, says the report, shows
no riot so destitute of justi6able cause re-
sulting in a massacre inhuman and iend-
like. The direct cause of the riot was the
reassembling of the Convention, pursuant to
call by Hon. r. H. Howell, acting Presi-
dent. The committee gives the history of
the Convention and riot. Some of the po-
licemcn acted to save, not to destroy life
Several members, including Fish, were saved
by being arrested. Gov. Hahn was protec-
ted passing from the hall to the prison,
though he received many blows from other
policemen before falling into hands that saw
ed him. Some other instances of kindness
by police are mentioned. There were ex-
ceptional cases. The police and mob, in
bloody emulation, continued the butchery
until nearly 200 were killed and wounded
Ten policemen were wounded, none severely.
None were killed. If the Convention had
been armed and the colored people had been
called in advance to protect the Convention,
this could not have been the case. The riot
was not an accident. 1t was the determined
purpose of the Mayor to disperse the Con-
vention. The Committee proceeds to dis
cuss the question, quoting the telegram from
the President to Lieut.. Col. VOORHEES,, which
they say assured VOORHEES, of Presidential
support in the proposed action. The Presi-
dent is censured for overlooking the Govern
or, whom he knew to be loyal, in addressing
the Lieut.. Governor and Attorney General.
known not to be in sympathy with the Gov
ernor, and giving directions, whichif carried
out as the Lieut.. Governor and Attorney
General understood them, would have placed
the military with the Mayor in arresting the
members of the Convention. The President
knew the condition of affairs in July, He
knew that rebel thugs and disloyal men con-
trolled MonrOe's election He knew such
men chiefly composed the police. He knew
that Mayor Monroe, an unpardoned rebel,
was suspended by the military He had
subsequently pardoned him. He must have
known VOORHEES, and Herron's rebel antccc-
dents. He knew that riot and bIoodshed
was apprchended, and knew that military
orders were in force; yet, without the
knowledge of the Secretary of War or the
General of the army, he gave orders by tele-
graph intended to compel the soldiers to aid
the rebels against men who were loyal du-
ling the war.
The Committee discusses at length the
right of Congress to legislate to place Louis
lana within the control of loyal men. The
military must control until the people
of Louisiana adopt a constitution as
surfing safety to the Republic and receiving
the sanction of Congress. These results fol-
low successful war. These results would not
follow had it been instruction instead of
civil war. Until loyal State of Louisiana
exists in full accord with the United States
and republican form of government is
guaranteed, the objects CT the war were un-
attained. The accomplishment of this re-
quires temporary provisional government
The loyal people of Louisiana must form
their safety requires a provisional govern
ment In the discharge of their d1ty the
Committee submits the following bill
Be it enacted, That the President shall
nominate and the Senate confirm Govern
or for Louisiana, who will hold one year I'M
less sooner removed by the President with
the consent of the Senate. or unless sooner
relieved by his successor, elected under the
provisions of this act The Governor to be
a citizen of Louisiana, and must at all times
have borne true and faithful allegiance to
the United States. He shall take the oath
of July I'd, 1862, and in addition that he
has done no act which would work a dis
qualification under the provisions of this
act.
Second, The President shall nominate and
the Senate confirm a provisional council of
nine persons, qualified like the Governor,
and taking the same oath, to continue in Of
flee, unless sooner removed by the President,
the Senate consenting, until Legislature is
duly elected under the provisions of this bill.
The council with the Governor to be invested
with Legislative powers. In no case shall
such Governor or council enter Office unless
confirmed by the Senate The council to re-
main in perpetual session, with power to adj
journ, not longer than 30 days, majority to
constitute quorum.
Third, 1t shall be the duty of the Cover
nor to see to the execution of the Federal and
| State laws. He shall nominate and with the
| consent Ol tlc COuIlCll, COllullsSlOu ouCcIS
| now existing or hereafter to be created, to
hold unless removed by the Governor, the
council consenting, until their successors are
elected and qualified as herein provided
All such officers and members of the Conven-
ton herein provided must be able to take
the oath prescribed.
Fourth, The electors qualified by this act,
unless Congress orders otherwise, on the first
Tuesday in June, 1867, shall elect Cover
nor, Lieutenant Governor, a Senate and
House of Representatives, and other officers
herein provided, the Senators and Represen-
tatives to be the same number from the same
districts as now. All officers to hold wear
or until their successors are duly qualified
unless sooner relieved as herein provided
The powers, duties, fees and compensations
as now, unless inconsistent with this act.
Fifth, The following and none others shall
vote: All male citizens of the United States
who are 25 years old, regardless of race OF
color, who have been one year in the State,
and have never borne arms against the coun.
try since they have been citizens thereof and
can truly take the oath of July 2nd, 1862
Provided, that any other person, otherwise
qualified as an elector, who never voluntari
ally gave aid and comfort to rebellion no.
government inimical to the United States in
any other manner, capacity or rank than as
a private soldier in open and civilized war
fare, may be admitted to the rights of cleo.
tors by order of Federal courts Of Record, BY
establishing the facts, on testimony of per
sons who have always been loyal, and estab.
fishing as aforesaid that after the 4th o.
March, 1884, he never gave voluntary aid o,
comfort to rebellion or government mimi
cal to the United States. Upon establish
ing the above facts and subscribing an oatf
that these things are true, which bring,