The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-01
House OF Representatives.

| anu biic etcIeldfy Dekdn CaiIirg the roll.
Mr.. McMillen (R.), of Carroll, objected 10 hay
ing the names called Of those who had not ouali.
hed yesterday. The calling Of the roll was, how.
| ever, continued.
At its close prayer was offered by Rev. Ed
ward Kingston. after which the secretary read a
| communication from Gen. Buchanan inclosnC a
| dispatch from Gen. Grant, saying that he had no
orders to give, but suggesting that the test oath
should not be required, but that only the oath pro.
| Vloed IN the new Constitution be necessary for
| qualification. This course, he said, had been
| adopted by Gems. Meade and Canby
A profound silence followed the reading Of this
| communication.
The chair remarked that the House. A ouorum
| of which was present could determine whether
| the test oath should be required or not regard.
| less OF Gen. Grant or any other general
Mr. CLANCY (D.), of East Baton Rouge, moved
lhat nouce of the communication might be given
present.
The chair curtly replied that he could take no
notice OF motions made by members not qualified. =.
MT. Chaney asked that his motion might at least
be spread upon the journal.
The chair said there was no objection.
MT. McMillen thought that the communication
just read contained no order from Gen. Grant. He
says he has : no orders to give" He would, there
fore, move that the matter be received and re-
ferred to a special committee OF three. Carried.
Inc unwelcome dispatch having been thus sum-
marlly disposed Of by the majority a motiou bv
MT McMlllen that the roll Of members, as pub
II,
two oatbs specified be administered to all desirous
OF qualifying, was carried.
At this point the Democratic members entered
and took seats. The roll was then proceeded with
When the name of Mr.. Bryant (D.) of st. Martin,
was called, that gentleman rose 70 inquire the
cause. Being Informed that he could not qualify
because his seat was contested, he entered dig
mined protest against the whole proceedings as an
act of usurpaton.
When the name of Mr.. W. W. Bennett. of Clai-
waa lad ba 1iro5,
desk, asked to see the prescribed "iron-clad. ~
which he read, and refused to be sworn
W. Il. Pierce, OF Livingston, also asked to see
the oath prescribed by the ruling powers in the
House. He read IL carefully and protested against
any test oath being put to the members elected
under the Constitution, other than such a. was
therein provided. Mr.. Pierce was very solemn
and liked in his defamation against what he
csiieo clap'trap patriotism, and upon retiring
TO his seat was greeted with successive rounds OF
applause. A calm of several minutes eusued.
similar TO that which followed King George into
heaven, which was broken by several gentlemen
ASKING 10 nave their names called, and protesting
against the ruling OF the pro TEN. speaker who
covered all the protests and objections by inform
ing the gentlemen that their seats were contested
The special committee of three on the commu-
nicaiion OF General Grant, through Major General
Buchanan, asked and obtained leave until tomor-
row to make theinreport.
DR.. +. II. Knapp. (D.) of St. Bernard, attempted
10 make himself heard, while he read the following
protest but the tumult Of persons and Babel OF
voices which-followed made him inaudible except
TO persons Immediately near TO him:
The undersisned respectfully protests against
any business being, transacted by this House: IL
not having been organized according TO law
Frrst-Ihat in demanding any other oath than
PIeserloed oy the Constltuu9n under which we
were convened was an-outra 20 en- rights of the
lsrge number legally elected 10. this body, and
the constituency which they reprksented
second-That even some persons who were
willing to take the oath were refused to be sworn
in.
"Third-That among the dfty-three names re-
ported 10 have been sworn in, that two or more
are positively known not to have been present, or
sworn; and hence no quorum present.
"Fourth-That the call of the roll was repeat.
edly made to ascertain IL quorum was present.
and II was refused TO be heard and not entertained
by the pro tenn. speaker.
lSgned) "F.H KNAPP.r
The committee on credentials reported. after
careful examination of certain representations
made 10 them pertaining TO the election at pre-.
cincts Nos. and 2. in the parish of Bienville.
they were satisfied that force and violence were
used to prevent legal voters from depositing their
ballots; they were assaulted, etc.; and the re-
turns therefT0m we're Illegal and they therefore
declared that Z. W. Dewes received a majority Of
forty-one votes, and was entitled to his seat in
stead Of 9. Q. Butler tD.) Report was received
Mr.. James R. CureIl (D) Of Orleans, and Mr..
Zachsrie d. Of Orleans. made several attempts
TO obtain the ear and attention of the presiding
officer, but could not succeed.
The same committee report that s. NJ Gatln.
(D.) OF De Soto, is a citizen Of Georgia, was a
soldier IN the Confederate army, and therefore
disqualified TO take seat in this body. Thew
further recommend Mr.. Walsh as a suitable and
also received and adopted.
Inc same committee reported that gross fraud
was used at the polls in the parish of 81. Bernard
whereby Ut. +. n: Knapp was returned and that
A L. Lee be entitled 10 take his seat as the repre-
sentative from that parish. DIR. Knapp again at
tempted to present his written protest, bat the
presiding officer decided that Gen. A. L. Lee had
the floor.
He made a very lengthy speech in favor Of the
committees report, and read Eomo documents in
bis favor.
DR.. Knapp replied at great length referred IN
MS protest duly entered against what he consid-
cred unconstitutional action, etc., which he de-
clared as against the orders Of the general COM
handing the armies Of the United states and the
orders OF Gen. Buchanan. The doctor here drew
rom bis capactOus pocket very large amount of
documentary testimony, which was taken before
Wo magistrates at the courthouse of St. Bernard
snlcn ne read, and finally requested Of the House
PERMISSION to send for persons and papers
Ihe chair said q petition IN writing must ba
made for this purpose, to be submitted TO the
J ouse for action. Upon motion of Mr. McMillen
ne Dour was s1oHed Dr. knapp for further ar.
ument and testimony.
Dr. Knapp then requested that United Statas
Commissioner Warren might be sent for as a
witness.
Mr.. MeMillen objected.
The speaker repeated what he had said about a
Tritten petition.
DR.. Knapp proceeded with his protest, speak-
ng at times eloqueutly. He was called 10 order
y Peter Harper, (ReDublicsn) Of St. Charles
Tho moved TO rescind the motion allowing Dr.
Inapp one hour. III
This motion, however, he subsequently with.
rev.
A motion to refer the whole matter back 10th,
Oh credentials with power 10 sen5 sos
ersons and papers. was made and lost. - 'O'
message wes here received from the Senate
proceed 70 business. At the conclusion nj ~
nspp's remarks, (he occupied bis hour lea.
wen minutes, hcMillen moved that the renort
me committee on credentials be adopt "a