The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-30
House of Repre.euta.Ive..

In pursuance OF the proclamation previously
issued by H. @. Warmoth. governor elect. con-
veBing the General Assembly Of Louisians at the
Mechanics Institute at ~ O'Clock on Monday.
the 29h inst, all the members elect to the House
of Representatives who were in the city assem-.
bled yesterday at the time and place designated.
At IL O'Clock, Brew. Col. r. N. Batcheder, depot
qusrtermaster, U. s. A. and acting as staff off, ser
10 Gen Buchanan, ectered the hail. clad In the
full uniform and insignia of his rank, apd after
ehectng an entrance to the inside of the railing,
through the dense crowd which occupied the
lobby, proceeded 70 the platform and mourning II
called the House TO order. The members took
seats at once, and Col. Batchelder proceeded to
call the roll. ~ drti p.
He hsa not called more than half dozen
names when DR.. Gray, (R,) Of 81. James Parish
rose TO offer motion that William Vigers be
called TO act as secretary pro tenn. This motion,
however, was not put TO vote. .rr
Gen. McMillen, (R as 8 member elect from the
Parish of Carroll to the General Assembly Of the
State Of Louisiana, protested against this inter-
ference on the part of the general commanding
with the organization Of the House. He proposed,
however, while protesting, to waive any further
objection to such proceeding, and to acquesce in
the action of Col. Batchelder for the time being
but desired ii understood that as soon as the
House had been fully organized all interference
by General Buchanan and by the United States
army at large must cease. .....h n D.
The speaker was called to order by Col. Batch
elder during bis remarks aud at their conclusion
sat down amid tumut Of applause from those
who took the same view of the question, and
they appeared 70 be many. l
J. motion that Col. Batchelder read his written
order was made but not seconded.
The roll call was then resumed. When the name
Of Peter Haifer was called, its representative re-
fused to respond. Eighty-one members ia all
answered to their names. Iar
Upon nomination of Gen. McMien (R.N,R II.
Isabelle (R.) was chosen chairman pro tenn. This
announcement was received with vociferous yeIls
and cheers and applause in the lobby, and even
at some Of the desks and the chairman elect was
thereupon escorted TO his seat. 5sA. a.. l1l l1l.
William Vigers, John Jordan and - Dumford
were then chosen secretary, doorkeepsr and SER
Gen. McMillen (R.) then moved that the roll be
called. and that each member in response, step
forward TO the desk and take the oath. ca1
for the eyes and noes was objected TO by the
mover Of the resolution and tie ron call vas pro-
ceeded With, Chief Justice Hyman Of the Su-
preme Court of the State. administering fhe test
oath and the oath prescribed Ia the ne r. Constitu
tion, to those who came forward. This course
was ipaueurated by the speaker, who. in ap-
preaching the chief justice said, that the State
being under military law, he deemed both oaths
necessary, and subsequently announced that no
one would be allowed to tOke his seat, who could
not take the test oath.
Hon. Jas. r. Cure, (D) Of Orleans, moved
that the osth be read, which was done by the
secretary pro tenn.
At this point number OF the Democratic mem.
bers rose TO withdraw. At first the door Keeper
refused to open the gate, but an inquiry hsviag
been addressed the speaker whether ne had
given any orders 10 prevent members from re-
firing, negative reply was returned and the
gate was opened. IL was nov evident that a
quorum could not be obtained, and some per-
SONS, heretofore unknown, proposed themselves
substitutes for those who refused to qualify by
taking the ''test OATH"
DIR. F. Il. Knapp here rose from bis seat aad
protested against the heretofore unknown and
unhesrd OF precedent Of gentlemen proposing
shet. ~ for
would aot make indis rabbcr Os their conscience
TO swear 20 any and All things proposed by the
| speaker JBO team.
No notice was taken of the Doctors protest,
but when his name was called as representative
from st. Bernard, he declined 30 be swOrn in aud
an aspiring Individual rose from his seat and Of
fsred himself substitute; but Dr. KnaEp thsp
consented To be sworn The speaker refused to
accept him, and called for sn additional nastar
at arms 10 place the doctor IL his seat or remove
him from The floor OF tae Horse.
W. 2. Noble, et Orleans, Aere asked Tor inform.
alton 10 enable him to determine how long and
! what would be his posits1 by declining TO take
| the prescribed Oathg The SpeGker deeh ed to
| give any further Attenuation, a.d directed the
| clerk 10 go on and CAL the roll. Mr. Noble re
maned standing, protested ageinst the ruling of
the speaker, and said he was elected as represen-
tatiye BY the people. and claimed the right TO be
heard. BE acted through the dictates of his con-
science; he was soldier in the Confederate
army Of his own free VIII and accord and there
lOIe COuu not tahe inc oath prescribed, as ne De-
lieved It 10 be unconstitutional. This created
great applause, which it was difficult to sup
press. r.r
DR.. F. II. Knapp here presented his credsatisIs
from the general commanding the fifth military
district and demanded t. be sScTn "a but the
speaker sgain refused to accept him. anG ne wxs
again conducted 10 his seat By the master arms.
The doctor then made motion to adjOlrb, which
was seconded, but not entertained. Subsequently
half dozen others, Of all hues iL rainbow, we're
sworn in, the speaker said be had a quorom,
ffty-hve members in all, and a committee o. ere-
deDtials was appointed, consisting OF MessPE-
Yorke; (R.) Of Carroll Lott, r. Of Rapides; An
tome, of Orleans, and Gray, (R.l Of st. James.
motion Was then made and carried to adj0dru
until ~ O'Clock to-day. notwithstanding that DR..
Knapp was again protesting against the Illegal
action and the unconstitutional organization OF the
persons assembled. rrt