The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-17
STATE LEGIsLATURE.
sIxTY-EIGHrH DAY.
senate.

WEDNESDA1s Dept. AOs Aooos
The Senate was called to order by Lieut.. G1ver-
answered to their names.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Turner, chap in.
The reading of the minutes was dispensed with
on motion of Mr.. Ray.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Raw. from the judiciary committee, re-
ported by substitute upon an act 70 provide for
carrying into effect the 1920 article Of the Const
tuition; favorably Hpou granting certain ferry
privileges to j. b. Antoine, of ST. Martin, La
favorably upon House bill No. l62, relative to
juries.
ported favorably upon an act relative to an ap-
preparation TO defray the expenses Of the Board
Of Registration; unfavorably upon Senate joint
resolution allowing rs per cent. extra compensa.
ton for per diem and mileage OF members and
employe IS, to meet discount on warrants; and
unfsvorably upon an act for the relief OF WIN. r;
Lockwood, he having already been compensated
for bis services IN preserving the machinery OF
the State Penitentiary.
MIR. B,ackmsn moved to postpone for three days
action in the case OF c. c. Antoine, contesting
the seat Of Reuben White.
Mr.. Smith moved TO lay on the table.
Mr.. Whitney called for the yeas and nays.
The motion to postpone was laid on the table
by Is yeas to II nays.
Mr.. Brsuqhn arose to a personal explanation.
He had hoped the postponement would be granted.
There were five Democratic senators absent, only
one of whom, Mr.. Futch, had obtained leave. He
did not wish 10 be blamed for their absence.
against which he protested for this and other i'm
portant occasions. II they would satisfy their
constituents that they we're absent on reasonable
grounds, he had nothing to say; but they had i'm
portant business before them, TO which they
should attend. ...
Mr.. COPELAND, from; the committee on com
merce, was permitted, under q suspension OF the
rules, to present an unfavorabe report upon bill
in relation to public weighing.
AZ naan frorr fba nj n
cation, presented minority report adverse to
House bill No. 1917, relative to public education.
RESOLUTIONS.
Bv Mr. Anderson-A resolution providing for
pay and mileage OF witnesses. Referred to finance
committee.
Under suspension of the rules Mr.. Anderson
introduced bill n relation to pledges. Read twice
and referred to the Judiciary committee.
Under suspension of the rules Mr. Ray intro
duced the following bills: An act prescribing the
mode OF holding elections for State and parish
officers an act further defining the jurisdiction
of the parish courts Of the State Both bills were
read twice and referred to the Judiciary COM
mittee. :
called up the act TO incorporate tue New Orleans
News Association. Read twice and referred to
the committee on corporations.
Mr.. Packard asked for suspension OF the rules
to take mp the report OF the special comnittee on
The Senate refused to suspend the rules on the
yeas and nays being ordered by the president, by
yeas IA, nays IL.
treduced bill authorizing attorneys az law from
other States to practice in,tkis State. Read twice
and referred to the judiciary committee.
Mr. Pinchback, under suspension OF the rules,
introduced q resolution requiring the warrant
clerk to be present in the Senate chamber from
IL 10 O'Clock.
Mr.. Wilcox moved to amend by requiring his
presence from 10 to l2instead Of II to 2. Adopted
NJ aakr mt in favO al rlanlutlO0
because il might lead the public to believe that he
did not attend faithfully to his duties, whereas to
the knowledge of Mr.. Blackmsn, Mr.. Smith had
been an efficient wgnant clerk during the sessions
of 1865, 1866, 1867 and the present one.
Mr.. Lynch moved to lay the resolution on the
table.
On the yeas and nays being called for by Mr.
Smith. the resolution was tabled by IL yeas to IL
nays.
The order Of the day was called.
SPECIAL ORDER or THE DAY.
TIE msjority and minority reports Of the com
rnitiee on elections in the case of &. G. Antoine
VS. Reuben White, were taken up.
Mr.. Smith, moved the adoption of the majority
Mr.. Blsckman arose and said that, although hi:
convictions were that he could not change the
fixed opinions of the majority In this case yet ht
would have to argue in favor OF Mr.. waite. Mr.
Blackman spoke ct great length, concluding By
saving that il the Senate decide that Mr.. White
is ineligible now, he was not ineligible at the tim,
of bis election, because the fourteenth amend
ment was not law, and therefore he is entitled
to his seat else the election shsud be returned Il
The clerk Of the House appeared, and ssket
concurrence OF the Senate in the following bills
House bill 2l6, an act to provide means for the re
relative to marriages. House Joint resolution an
fhorizing the warrant clerk to draw additiona
warrants for the payment OF the per diem o
members. Also that the House had concurred II
80 IN IN ha raufof N
voters under an act to create board Of regis
tration.l
Mr.. Biackman called for division of the quss
ton. That the Senate consider first whether M
White was eligible or not, and next whether q
c. Antoine was entitled to this seat.
Mr.. O'Hara maintained that Mr.. White, having
taken an oath to support the Constitution OF the
United States, and thereafter given aid and com
fort to the Confederacy, was ineligible.
Mr.. Bacon followed in lengthy defense OF MIR
White, supporting Mr.. Blackman's argumen
that, at the time of the election, the fourteenth
amendment was not in operation.
Mr.. Poindexter maintained that Mr.. White wa
not a qualified voter according to the books 0
registration, and, therefore, could not be eligible
10 seat in the Senate. II Mr.. White were eli
Cible, every woman, boy and child and JEFF. Davi
himself could claim eligibility to seat:
MIR. Campbell asked whether il was denied tina
Mr. White was q member of the Legislature men
toned ia the evidence.
MIR. Blackman said he was not here as wit
ness 70 answer such questions.
Other members followed in arguments pro anC
con, without, however, elicitng new points.
Mr.. Lewis among other things. said that MT
White had acknowledged TO member on tn
door that he had voted for Mr.. j. z. BENJAMIN.
Mr. Blackman called Mr.. Lewis to order, sayin
that DO more evidence could be addueed in tn
case, otherwise he (Mr. Backman) would offer I
evidence the full pardon received by Mr.. W MI
from the president of the United States.
message from the governor was received.
Mr. Braughn arose 10 say that he did not desir
TO sneak on the subject, beesuse be thought ever
senator had made up his mind. ne there, ,,I
called lie main question upon the motion OF MI
Blsckman 10 divide the question.
On motion of Mr.. 0'Hara the yeas and nay
were ordered on the first resolution.
TIE resolution was adopted by 20 yeas, nay
On the second resolution the yeas and MAJ
were called resulting 20 yeas nays.
The resolution was adopted.
On motion OF Mr.. Darrell Mr.. Poindexter vi
granted leave of absence for ave days.
The chair announced the following as the cor
mittee 10 investigate the work Of clerks OF q
Joint committee on the condnct OF the elecuo