The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-06-30
of the Louisiana Legislature.
Negro Presiding Oticers-The Test Oath
Required General Grant Pushed Aside
Withdra11al of the Democrats-Ihe Army
Officers to Get Ont of the WGy.

New ORLEANS, June 29.-The new Lee
gislature of Louisiana convened to-day.
The Senate was called to order at noon by
Lieutenant Governor Dunn, and the tenn
porary secretary was ordered to read Cen
eral Buchanan's order promulgating Gen
eral Grants order for the removal of Baker
and Voorhees, and the appointment of
Yarmouth and Dunn Provisional Governor
and Lieutenant-Goyernor in their stead,
and the call Of Yarmouth converting the
Legislature.
The roll was called from General Blu
chanan's order announcing the names Of
those elected, and thirty -four members an
swered.
General Grants order to General Bu-
chanan approving the action of the latter
in relation to municipal affairs, and sug-
costing that only the oath prescribed
by the new Constitution be required Of
newly-elected officers, was also read by the
secretary.
Dunn announced that he was not pre-
pared to comply with General Grants
suggestion, and would require the test-oath
to be taken.
The Democratic members appealed against
this decision. They argued that the pre-
siding officer had no authority to prescribe
any oath whatever; that the Legislature
was convened under the new Constitution,
and no other oath than that therein pre-
cribed could be demanded. They moved
to refer the matter to the commanding Gen
eral.
Dunn ruled that until members had
qualified no appeal could be taken or mo-
ton offered and ordered that the reH
should be called, and those memb who
could take the cath should come forward
and do 30.
Tire Democratic members entered their
protest against this mode of proceedings,
and refused to take the oath, several as
sorting their ability to do 30, but denying
the right of the presiding officer to demand
it.
Nineteen-a bare quorum-took the test
oath, after which the constitutional oath
was also administered.
The Committee on Credentials and Elec-
tons was appointed, and several contests
for seats referred to it.
The body then adjourned until tomorrow
ut noon.
After the adjournment large crowd OF
negroes crowded around the black presiding
officer to offer their congratulations on his
decision.
Four of the senators are full-blooded
negroes, and several more are Of mixed
blood.
The House was called to order by Colonel
Bachelor, Of General Buchanan's staff
who called the roll
R. n. Isabelle negro was elected tenn
porary chairman. He took the test oath
and on taking the chair announced, in re-
ply to protest, that no member who coulc
not take the test oath could take his seat.
A quorum of fifty three took the test oath
q majority Of the Democrats withdrawing
from the hall.
A committee on elections was appointed
and the House adjourned till tomorrow.
During the discussion about the test oatf
McMillen, Republican, entered his pro
test against the recognition Of General Blu,
chanan's authority or his interference IL
the organization of the House, and con.
Guided his remarks as follows
Sand when this House is once organized
then desire to announce to Colonel Bachel'
der and to General Buchanan, command.
ing, and to the United States army at large
if necessary, that all interference on the
part Of the army must cease.
The proportion Of negroesin the House il
larger than in the Senate.