New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-07
DEBATES IN THE SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, December


| PRAYER. the secretary read the proclamation
of the Governor calling the Senate together
| in extra session.
Mr.. McMllen: Mr.. Secretary and Sena-
| tors, we are assembled here to-day in com
pliance with the proclamation which has
| just been read, calling us together in extra
| session. ]; seems 70 me that the first duty
we shond perform is to fill the chair made
| vacant BIZ the death Of our hOnored late
| Lieutenant Governor. When We shall have
been organized. will propose that a select
! committee be appointed to prepare resOlu-
tons expressive OF our feelings and regrets
at his death. ! now move that the Senate
proceed to the election Of a presiding officer.
who shall act as Lieutenant Governor.
The motion was seconded by Mr.. Harris.
Mr.. Blackman: Before that motion is put.
| ! desire TO raise the question that the Sen
ate has been illegally and uncOnstitution-
| ally assembled. Before l can consent or
| give countenance 10 the organization of this
| body, desire. on behalf Of those who are
of the opinion that his excellency has called
us together in violation OF the constitution.
to enter my solemn protest against it.
Mr.. McMil!en: The question raised by the
Senator from Claiborne tMr. Blackman),
can be decided by the Senate at the proper
| time. When that time arrives. shall listen
| with attention 70 anything that the Senator
may desire 70 say upon the question of the
constitutionality OF our proceedings. l de
sire now that the Senate shall determine
| what course of proceedings it shall adopt
| whetherit shall or not proceed to the cleo
! ton of a president.
Mr. Ray suggested that a temporary pre-
siding officer should be appointed.
Mr.. Todd was of the opinion that the Sen
ate could not proceed to any election until
a temporary organization was effected. 1t
had been the custom, in such cases, to call
the oldest Senator to the chair, and he
therefore moved that Mr. Ray be selected.
Mr.. McMlllen: 1t seems to that all the
precedents in cases OF this kind are opposed
to any such course. In the organization of
our House Of Representatives, before the
Speaker is elected, the Clerk Is the proper
officer to call Tie House to order.
Mr.. Ray thought the Secretary had no
other authority than to call the roll. He
could not see how the Senate could act
without presiding officer.
Mr.. Todd insisted upon his motion.
Mr.. RAY inquired how questions OF order
We're 70 be decided.
Mr. McMllen: BY majority OF the
Senate.
Mr.. Ray: How are We 10 ascertain the
sense OF the majority!
Mr.. McMillen; By calling the roll.
Mr. Gallup moved to lay the motion Of
Senator Todd on the table.
MI McNil!en was wlihhS 'h'ir V"te
sh",iia ." taken upon tf,a' ino'i"i.
=, VIZ. Kay sS'a that me poih' raise" pV
before any other business could be trans
acted: AMI in order to discuss that CUES
ton II was necessary 70 appoint a tempo
rarv president.
MI. Ne WI, zen cohceoe that point.
senator iouu il"> ina"t d h!oIlou 10 eject
lhe senate! from OuacA!ta nr' nay TEN
l,oraft 'hafhlau' ana upon tnat motion
uesls 70 'es' W, sense ol til' >rialt. a-h
t'i'' senator ny nay ~ "'A''Ie - HIS
of;Iiha - i,l"'osl,iohii
", " I9ia l'nt" eo us ih"'"H'
-'i iAHl az ann ~ .h'''
MI rillc'-o 'ch DC cal'eo 10 'At CHAIR 'eii-
Po,;iiif.
W. ny 90. ~ o'','''''H ~ 'Ha'
"ni'ii'i Aii'-ii' "'''' WHIT " ''e'-"Il- ''lF
Ger.
Mr.. McNii'en suggested thar the roll
should he called. and that The Senator re
cclvlng TIE highest number OF votes should
act as temporary chairman;
back was elected temporary chairman. ana
conducted - rs seat by Senators Ray and
McNl!ien.
Mr. Pinchback Nv first duty is 10 thank
vou gentlemen Of the senate. To-, the
compliment tina: Won have been pleased
TO pay me in elecling Inc As vour tenn
porarv presiding officer ] esteem the
honor more highly from the fact
that there has been so much feel
ing manifested in the temporary organ
ization of the Senate There is another
duty tina. claims my attention-that OF re
terring bre.'y TO oar late distinguished fell
low citizen who occupied this chair. This
seems to me q fitting Occasio for me to pay
INV sad tribute of respect 10 a man whom
we all delighted 10 honor. The life of Lieu.
tenant Governor Dunn manifested to us the
truthfulness of that sublime priuciple es-
tablished iy the fathers of nur country
that al men are born free and equal"
When We take into consideration the fact
that he was reared IN Il community which
was pre}udlced against his race. which de-
MED to lin the ordinary facilities of attain
ing an education, surrounded by the
bane.ul Influences OF that stain upon
American history - slavery - and then
look upon tie man as he was. we recognize
with greater force than ever the truth of
the doctrine OF the equality of man. When
hear the high encomiums which have
been showered upon him by all classes OF
our citizens, and even by TIE opposition
press-whlch has too frequently under
rated the abilities Of men because of their
political rrejudices-I am led to believe
that oscar j. Dunn, IN the history of our
country, stands to-day without peer, not
only III America but IN the civilized world. |
ms may sound like extravagant Ian
guage when applied to a man belonging to
the desplstd negro race: but il VIII not so
appear when you call to your memory the
fact that Lieutenant Governor Dunn grew
up to manhood without having had the |
opportunity OF enjoying the educational
advantages which the children Of the more |
favored race enjoyed. lie knew that what |