New Orleans Republican., 1868-08-27
THE LEGIsLATURE
tooyrrNuED FROM FIRST PAGE. ]

try regardless OF party. Now, | can see
nothing of a political or partisan character
in this bill. / see nothing more than an
attempt to fairly carry out the provisions of
article l03 of the constitution to protect the
sufrages of the people. would not go one
step further if thought it protected one
party over another. l should not be in fa-
yor of it.
The bill came from the House and was
badly worded, and the substitute was Of
fered.
Then, Mr.. President, I regret it exceed
ingly that the discussion of this bill has run
into q partisan discussion, and that extreme
views have been expressed, but which |
take no part In, and wipe my hands of any
such expressions.
hope chat the amendment offered by the
Senator from Claiborne will be laid upon
the table.
Mr.. Blackman asked a withdrawal Of the
motion to lay on the table.
Mr.. Ray: withdraw for the moment.
Mr.. Blackman: It is not in any spirit of
hurlesque that offer that amendment. The
amendment is very necessary.
The last election was uud the registra-
tion of voters provided byAthe reconstruc-
tion laws, and for.the ratification Of the con-
stitution and for the election of members of
the General Assembly throughout the whole
State. Influences at that time were brought
to bear upon the free colored population of
this State. They were told that If you vote
for the Republican party you are to have
for yourselves lands and mules.
Aud l tell you, sir, that the colored people
in my part Of the country believed that the
very moment they voted the Republican
ticket, and the convention was formed, they
would get land and mules.
Another thing that has been brought to
N1r--
are uneducated. They find themselves in
the midst of revolution, which they do
not know how to grapple with, nor how to
act in. Governed more particularly by
passion and prejudice, their votes can be
more easily influenced in that way than any
other. These men have been told that If
you don't vote for this party, and men who
represent it. you will be set back into bon
dage. This has been the cTy from the time
they had right to vote down to the pres
ent time. If this is not using bribery and
intimidation, / do not see how the mere
turning off of laborer, or making special
contract with him, can be so regarded.
Now, sir, claim that this section
should pass, that ii they use these argu.
ments and hold out to them the hope of re.
Yard that they shall possess property in the
State OF Louisiana by so voting it should be
as much OF an offense as turning Off la
borer who will not vote with his empc, u.
And It was with no view Of re..dio. .lng the
bill ridiculous that I offered this section,
but to protect the whole people.
MIR. Ray-l renew nv motion to lay the
proposed section on the = lie.
The motion was adopted.
Mr.. Bacon-Mr. President. | trust my
amendment will not have the same fate.
lLaugdter)
Mr.. Bacon's amendment was read.
Mr.. o,Hara moved to lay the amendment
OF Mr.. Bacon on the table.
Adopted.
Mr. DAY. wish to introduce an amend
nent-" that nothing in this act shall be SO
construed as to interfere with persons in the
employment of labor When they make a
contract they are bound by It but man
has right 70 employ whoever he pIeases.n
Mr.. Lewis; There is nothing in the bill TO
Interfere with any person in making a con-
tract
Mr.. Day: The first section can be so con.
strued as to prevent me from making any
contract.
Mr.. Lewis: Only from making a contract
with view to controlling the suffrage of
the laborer.
Mr.. Day: Suppose mau comes to me for
employment; | ask him whether he is a Re
publican or Democrat: he says he is a Re-
publican, and thereupOn tell him cannot
employ him, now, will not be subject to
the penalty of this law whether employ
him or not
Mr.. Ray: Not nt all, as you would not
have made a contract. But in order to
make the law clear on that point, am per-
tectlY willing the amendment should be
made and will vote for it.
Hr. OHara moved to lay the amendment
on the table.
The vote being taken by yeas and nays,
Mr.. Days amendment was laid on the table.
Mr.. Day: The opposition to my amend.
ment clearly shows that the parties who in.
troduced the bill do not wish to have its
tor electioneering purposes.
The bill was finally adopted.
Mr.. Jewell, of Orleans, read the following
and asked suspension of the
rules to introduce it, being out ofthe regu.
larorder.
WHEREAS, It is currently reported and
belieyd that Hon. H. G. Warmoth
has received compensation for signing bills
and withholding his signature from the
same. and that he has also received paw
for making appointments to high and i'm
portant ofheiai positions in the State gov
and
Whereas, Members of this House and the |
House OF Representatives are charged with |
having received money to secure their votes |
for the passage of certain bills designed |
for the beneht of individuals; therefore |
be it biz 4
Resolged, That committee Of three on |
the part Of the Senate be appointed to in. 4
yestigate these charges, and report to the |
Senate, with view to the impeachment Of |
the Governor. and the expulsion of the |
guilty members of the Senate, if found |
amenable to these charges; and, resolved |
further, that the committee so appointed be |
authorized to send for persons and papers. |
Mr.. Jewell: Now, Mr.. President, simply |
wish to say that If | am honored with the |
Craftsmanship of that committee, will |
stake my reputation as a Senator upon this |
noor that If fail to substantiate these |
charges will resign my position as sen. |
am in possession, sir, of indisputable evi. |
1ence and proof, consisting of signatures
ot members of the Legislature to contracts
u this kind; and I say, that If am honov- |
ID with the Chairmanship of this committee |
will risk my seat If / do not make good |
hese charges. Now, sir, let Senators vote |
lgainst the resolution If they will.
The President: IL seems to me that |
.harses Of this kind should emanate in the |
House.
Mr.. Jewell: No, sir, they are charges
Igainst members of this body.
The vote being taken, by yeas and nays. |
he rules we're not suspended for the intro |
luctton of the resolution.
i-@~~~sser~.-~-~>~~-
HOUSE OF HEP PREaENTATIYE rs.
F1fty.Flrst Days FessfeH.