New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-10-03
WHOLE NUMER 1852.

VINO have just received certificate of
naturalization may feel sufficiently indig-
MANI 10 go 10 the courts and complain, and
40 not wonder that in some cases they
deslre 10 break the heads of those wlfS
attempt to deprive them of the right 10
register, and who disregard the recorded
proof of their citizenship. But, sir, we
who were born here and have inherited the
right to vote, can not permit British sub
lect, who has availed himself of advantages
on both sides during the war, to tell us we
can not vote unless we vote as he did at the
last election-or as he 1could have voted if
he had been an american citizeni No,
SIR, we can not and will not bear such
an outrage. / counsel no man to do
more than the law permits, but how can
1t De expected that any man can feel calm
ana undisturbed under such conduct as
that Dy which this Board of Registration is
trying TO deprive large number of our
cltlzens OF their rights. hope the resolu-
tlon OF my colleague will pass, and that O
discreet committee will be appointed to in
vestlgate this matter, and that we shall
have such report from them as will enable
US to act promptly and efficiently in this
matter.
MIR. Campbell: Mr.. President, l wish to
| inquire whether the law passed upon reg
lstration does not provide means Of appeal
from the decisions of the Board-by means
OF provision inserted at the request of the
Senator from 0uachita? ~
Mr.. Ray The courts are not open now.
Mr.. Campbell: l wish also to reply to the
remarks Of the Senator from the Fourth Dis
| triet OF Orleans, Mr.. Bacon, that new en-
franchised citizens it might be expected
would go to the courts, but that "a we who
have been born here will not submit to this
| imposition rar
Mr.. Bacon: said these newly enfran.
chised would not feel half as much indigna-
tion as those who have all their lives exer
cised these rights.
MIR. Campbell: would state that / am
| willing to go as far as any one to see that
| these Registrars comply with the
laws, and put as liberal a construction
upon them as possible. But at u
| time like this am opposed to doing any
thing that will appear like action under
compulsion or duress. If, instead of resort
| ing 10 arms and menaces of riot, they pro-
ceeded as the law directs should nave moth
ing to say. But last night, sir, before the
trouble OF this morning occurred, there
were symptoms of riot for causes which
had nothing to do with the action Of Mr..
Baker. If the people of this city would
submit to law, and when laws are upjustly
exercised, would resort to the proper tri-
bunals without mensces or threats of vio-
lence, they would effect their object much
more surely. 40.
Mr.. Bacon: will say that there was last
night, as l think, an unnecessary excite
ment because a. few dissatisfied persons
came around the City Hall. am glad 10
say it turned out to be of no Importance.
MIR. Ray: A joint resolution has, I believe,
Just passed the House to raise a committee
10 investigate whether or not the Board OF
Registration have exceeded their powers.
Mr. Lewis: If the officers of the law are
transcending their authority they are ac.
countable to somebody. We in this General
Assembly are only the law-making power
when we have made the law and handed il
down to the officers who are to administer
it. If they transcend their powers it is per
tectly right committee should be appointed
to investigate the matter.
The resolution of Mr.. Braughn was adopt
ed, and Messrs. Braughu, Ray and Kelsc
appointed as the committee.