New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-10-06
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Chairman Board Registrars,
Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
This testimony is that of party who
could not read or write, sworn to before the
same gentleman, C. W. Lowell, chairman o.
the Board Of Registration, in order to enable
him to make his report, taken long before
Mr.. Antoine proposed or even dreamed OIL
contesting the seat of Mr.. White. Is thi;
any evidence whatever that there were
frauds committed, or that they affect the
case of Mr.. Antoine-an affidavit taken be
fore man who had no right to take evil
dence?
Mr.. O'Hara: Mr.. President, wish to call
the attention OF the gentleman to the fact
that Mr. White has nothing to do with this
case.
Mr.. Blackman: Then why do you say An
tome vs.. White?
Mr.. O'Hara: There was no one there to
represent Mr.. Reuben White, because Mr..
| White has been declared ineligible.
MIR. Blackman: The next evidence is that
of William Steward, before G. W. Lowell,
another party who can not sign his name
the same kind of evidence as that Of Hen
derson.
This evidence was taken without any op-
| portunity whatever on the part of the peo'
\ pie of the parish to cross-examine these
witnesses. The next is the evidence of
| Crutch6cld before R. H. Shannon. He is
another witness who could not read or
write, The only evidence taken before that
committee touching the frauds on the part
| OF the defense was the evidence of party
| named Alfred White, who was a colored
| man, whose evidence shows clearly that the
colored people of that parish did vote for
Mr.. White in large numbers. He swears
that this was done voluntarily in the report.
Before l cast my vote on question of such
| importance'to the people of that section of
the State, desire to have the facts clearly
and fully Investigated to know whether or
not @. G. Antoine is entitled to a seat in this
body. Now, as I stated, l was not aware
that they were inquiring into the case of
Mr.. Antoine, or / should have intro
duced certain evidence myself Now, all |
ask is that the Senate .recommit the case
to the committee and give the people of the
parish OF Cadde AN opportunity to bring
forward their witnesses to establish the fact
that this is party not entitled to his seat, or
else let the committee summon witnesses to
prove that fraud tcdS committed in that
election and that G. G. Antoine is entitled to
his seat; for we have no such evidence what
ever.
Mr.. Thompson; Mr.. President, as mem.
Der of the Committee on Elections l desire
to make few remarks on this subject. |
recollect that documentary evidence which
was ruled out which has been alluded to by
the Senator from Claiborne, when four
white men of the parish of Caddo contra
dicted fatty the statements made in this
evidence. When they were presented to
me told them could not present their
afhdavits, because l considered them illegal
and er parte and that witnesses would have
to be brought here to testify.
Mr.. OHara If you will look on page sew
enteen of the former report you will find
those atfidavits.
Mr.. Thompson: There was a batch of
testimony submitted to me that never went
before that committee, among which there
were at least twenty colored men who testi-
fed that the election was carried on quietly
and properly, and that many colored men
voluntarily voted for Mr.. White; but it was
agreed on the part of the committee that
We would discard this documentary eyi. |
denee. There was q separate statement
that was never submitted to the Committee
on Elections-the statement of Judge
Leviser.
Mr.. Braughn: I do not intend TO say any
thing with the hope of changing the inten. |
tion, will not say opinion, Of any member
in this house, for opinions are founded upon
investigation of subjects, while intentions |
may proceed from other motives and be |
created by other means. / believe, sir, that |
there are members upon this floor who.
without having given this matter a single
thought, without having even read the
howry report before us, are determined to
vote in favor of it. But, sir, although there
may be no immediate effect of any argu.
ment which / may adduee, there is future
Senates to convene who will read the pro-
ceedings of this body to ascertain our CON
duct. and it is with that view alone that |
now arise for the purpose of protesting in
the most solemn manner against this add.
tional outrage which the Senate of the State
of Louisiana is about to commit.
A few days ago, when Hon. Reuben White.
elected, was ousted from his Sc, |
IN this Senate on the ground that he was In.
eligible under article ninety-nine of t. e
Constitution, that point was then, sir, ably
and fully discussed and believed then, and I
believe now, If there was gentleman upon
his floor willing to be guided by law and
his honest convictions, and bold enough to
throw off party ties which chained him
Town he would have voted against the |
doctrine that Mr.. White was not
eligible. II was simply proved he was not
| registered voter in the parish of Caddo
md upon that ground was ousted from his
Ieat.
Mr.. Bacon: would suggest to nv col.
league that the question OF Mr.. Whites
eligibility is not before us now.
Mr.. Braughn: have right to refer to
t, sir, as having direct reference to this
'ase, and have y right to conduct my ar
sument in the manner which best suits nv
elf. Mr.. White was ousted and with that
uOu6bl k6ulltmHu muSI |
ave feit shook the dust from his heels and
departed for his home. Then comes Mr..
antoine, before the committee makes his ap-
with able counsel, with no one |
resent to refute the charges or claim he
night bring forward, or to defend the peo- I
lie Of Caddo against the imposition and the
ommlttee report in his favor. Now, ask 7
he Senators whether there is a
Jingle title ofeVidence in the report which '
not e1 parte, whether there's single Wit
less tnat has appeared in the behalf of Mr.,
" nltei and viii also ask the committee ,
whether Mr.. White did not have in his hand 1
lndaYlt upon affidavit, proof upon proof, {
enylng every allegation that is contained I
the report now before us The affidayits {
t Mr, White, cir, coming from the most /
espeetable gentlemen in the parish of !
addo-mercliants, lawyers, Judges, physi- /
lans-were ruled out on the first trial of
be case because they were er pas'te: and q
ow, sir, this same committee appears before I
he Senate with an erparte statement In !
enaif OF mr.. Antoine, and ask the adoption '
that report. On the former trial of the {
ase, the en- pdrte statements were in behalf {
Democrat; now they are in behalf of a {
There is one affidavit here In regard 70 e
r Whltes conduct, that refers to the late t
'ar, by the wellknown Judge Leviser, '
ere omitted. NOW, sir. the learned counsel | v
presenting MT. Antoine, in his brief, which t
e know had great effect upon the minds Of u
re committee, bases his entire argument h
pom the fact that the little evidence ad- j
Iced on the part of Mr.. White on the first a
ia was er pare, and therefore should mot Il
sconsidered. In the report now before US D
e same counsel, representing tie same 4
lsns, bases his entire argument upon ex h
ayTe evidence, and maintains that It Is legal ii
% positive, and that Dir. Antoine must be "
limited ! i, Q bis seat. Now, sir, ask the Ii