The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-21

The bill was considered engr0ssed.
Under further suspension Of the rules the bill
vas read third time and finally adopted with itl
Mr.. wittgensteiu-I ask for suspension Or tn
rules to take up House bill No.. an act for the
relief Of J. c. Kaufman, late chief Of bureau Of
Mr. Lynch--I move to adjourn. "a :
Adopted BY rising vote Of le yeas, 8 nays. Z
In the Senate Thnrsday. Octobe. Is. lS6s, tia
constabulsry bill being under consideration /,
Mr.. Thompson-Mr. President, arise for the
purpose of opposing the bill now before usfor
consideration. II is q bill which conceive to be
OF partisan character. Itlooks to the srming Of
one political party for the purpose of intimida.
ting and ostracising the other. am opposed TO
any Innovations upon existing laws, and opposed
to any iDfringements upon. the powers heretofore
delegated to the civil authorities of the State
And am surprised to find the senator from
Ouacbita advocating bill which comes in direct
conflict with bill prepared by himself granting
new and additional powers to the sheriffs and
coDstables throughout the State. That bill, con.
ceive, to be adequate to meet all the emereen.
cies Of the times. ! allude to the act proposed
on the LIST of October, which gives sherifis and
constables power to call out posse to. quell dis
turbances that might occur in the Stste - i5'7s
This bill, think, gives ample power into the
haIds of the sheriffs throughout the State to sup
press any infraction OF law that might arise, and
is amply sufficient 10 meet all the exigencies of
the times. And why now give this authority into
the hands OF other parties? am opposed to this
excessive partisan legislation, In this continued in
novation upon existing laws and usages, upon the
rights of civil officers, and the powers they have
heretofore exercised. believe there will be
conflict Of authority between these constables
and the sheriffs before resort can be had to the
courts. Z conflict Of authority will arise and
am not disposed to make any threats. Far from
it. / am an advocate Of peace; but / say local
collisions will occur between these parties, which
may result in blood-shed and the violation of the
laws instead of their preservation. II this bill
passes counter organization viii be gotten ND
tor the purpose of resisting Its encroachments
upon the rights of individuals, and will as have
stated, result In an effusion Of blood. Local col.
lsions will occur throughout the State, and the
yes Of good men will be jeopardized and the
peace and harmony Of communities will be de-
sroyed.
Mr.. Campbell will ask the senator the name
OF that organization.
Mr.. Thompson-The sheriffs are the conserva-
tors of the peace and the bill referred to gives
them additional powers to call any person to quell
disturbances and to preserve the peace. This
power has always been lodged in the hands of the
sheriff. and | see no necessity for change.
These are my objections TO the bill.
MIR. Lynch will ask the senator a question
Have you reason to believe that IL the chief of
police was applied to by the sheriff that he would
refuse to comply with this law?
Mr.. thompson do not know what the result
would be, but / have reason to believe that a
conflict OF authority would arise which would
lead to serious consequences. We must re-.
member that we are now legislating in times
OF trouble and great political excitement; the pas.
sons OF parties are easily aroused, and it is the
duty of the people to frown down every attempt
at ostracism or the exercising of unlawful power.
Mr.. Campbell-Will the senator specify what
rights which the people enjoy under the Constitu.
ton N, are ct taken away from them by this bill
honored principle they have heretofore had as
the conservators Of the peace and places it in the
hends OF political men and political parties. The
history OF this government has demonstrated the
TACT that the dominant party is always disposed to
Cypress and intimdate the weaker party. You
say that there Is no peace and order In the State
! hen you had better send at once for the "boys
ID blue +" to preserve the peace the bayonet is no
oDger terror to the Southern people.
Inc FEDERAL military authority is one that we are
Mound 10 respect and will respect, as men of bosh
parties. If such measures as this prevail, the
lay will come when the people OF Louisiana
would welcome the bayonet in the hands of the
' nited States soldier to preserve the peace, in
preference to the proposed bill. There is fear
existing In the minds of many persons that there
will be collision between the two races, and I
sy It Is far preferable that the stars and stripes
aouId wave over every hamlet and village
q the State of Louisiana, than that the re-
'ose Of the country should be continu Ally dis.
urbed by partisans and local politicians. 1t
wrong and it is criminal. II our
aws are not sufficient as they are, If the
vil officers fail to do their duty under the in.
Q the hands Of men who are sworn to protect the I
'eace and dignity of the State. / do not wish |
ny party osracised, but fear this bill will result
the ostracism of some men. II il placing with |
political party power which IL ought not to |
xercise, and We deprive the sherifis of that
over which they have had heretofore. We |
gore right which they have hitherto possessed,
imply because certain sheriffs may be of Ger. |
ain political faith.
In my parish we have had United States soldiers
yer since the surrender. They are orderly and
eaceful and perform their duty: and our people
aspect them, and when there was q prospect Of
bat soldlery being taken from our parish, the
commanding general was petitioned to let them
lmain: because we knew they were the conserv.
tors OF the Lace, and that they would protect
he white man and the black man alike. am
opposed TO allowing any political party
get all the power into their hands and
stiacse the weaker, which this bill proposes
90. There are true men of all parties,
no have the interest and welfare of the people of
re State Of Louisiana at heart but there are
hers who have not. and L do not believe il would |
possible for force such as is contemplated in
lis bill to exercise such authority as il con-
mplated in this bill without abusing it. 1t will
suit fear. in local collisions and conflict of
lthority, and will result in no good to the coun.
y: Hope that senators viii reject the bill.
Mr. nay-Mr. PRESIDENT, regret very much to |
e questions that should come up for discussion
pom their own merits run into partisan discus
on. We see 1t every day. bill comes up that |
'es not suit certain gentlemen, and they can see |
,thipg in 1t but partisanshp. Now think there |
nothing of the kind in this bill. For nv part. |
all not oppose or support any bill upon any
ch grounds. Unless / can see that the bill Ia |
constitutional, or that the policy of it is moor
CT, shall not support it, but as to making a
'ntical question out Of any bill that may come |
}, because 1t is not exactly the measure would
oppose, | would not do it, nor do think it il the
sthod that should be adopted by an upright leg.
ator in discussion.
Now, Mr.. President, without going through all
points OF my argument again, I can see no |
Institutional objection that can be urged against
8 bill. 1t Is unnecessary to repeat what said |
on the hrst part of II. As to the parish of JEFF.
son, and the proposition of Senator Todd TO | I
Ike out the section because the sheriff of that
rish happens to be Republican, has nothingto | I
with the question. The bill which was passed
The early part Of this month, and which had
honor to introduce, Is, think, good bill 1t | |
ines more particularly the duties Of sheriffs, |
provides Q penalty for failing to perform |
m. That bill applies to all the parishes OF the !
te-the parish Of Orleans as well as Others. II | +
kes 1t the duty Of the judges to see that writs G
executed by sheriffs but, at the time II passed
metropolitan police bill had not become law. | B
1t il because that bill has become law, reQu. r
Dg the parishes Of Orleans, Jefferson and ST. c
nard, that think il Is now correct policy to look
Mi "a II