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

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Senate in extra session on the sixth {
December, for the purpose, principally
of filling the vacancy in the office {
Lieutenant Governor, occasioEed by tn
death of Oscar J. Dunn, thirty-four men
bers met yesterday in the Senate chambe
punctually at twelve o'clock. The Senate
when every senatorial district is fully rep
resented, is composed Of thirty-six mem
bers. The deaths of Senators Fish an,
Pierce has occasioned two vacancies
which have not yet been filled. tn
Governor, believing the present condition
of public affairs in this State present
an extraordinary occasion, called tn
Senate together, and thirty-four Senator
responded promptly to the call, thus con
tirming the action Of the Governor in
matter that has developed no little differ
ence OF opinion. The breath had barrel,
left the body Of the lamanted Dunn be
fore the question of succession was raised
by greedy politicians. The very day O
his death, II we are not mistaken, the
newspapers were discussing the law tina,
regulated the mode of filing the vacancy
in the Office of Lieutenant Governor. and
the subject soon became leading topic
in political circles. Some persons, who
thought themselves learned in the law,
commended that the power of filing the
vacancy rested with the Governor while
others decided, with equal positiveness,
that the Senate was the only power vested
with authority by law to meet the emer-
gency.
AS the law is not very definite, and. in
fact, somewhat contradictory upon the
subject, the Governor, We think, very
properly referred the matter to the Senate
In case the Governor had decided that he
was entitled by law to appoint a Lieu
tenant Governor, the appointment would
have required the confirmation Of the
Senate, and it must, therefore, be con-
coded he has acted wisely in referring the
matter directly to the Senate for action.
And the fact that full Senate promptly
convened, as required by the Governors
proclamation, which also stated the pur-
poses for which Senators were called
together, and elected Lieutenant Gov
ernor on the first day of its meeting, must
be regarded as a most satisfactory in
dorsement of the course taken By Gov
ernor Warnloth when he found the State
suddenly deprived Of the very valuable
services of most important public
official. As we have stated, the matter of
filling the vacancy had become leading
topic in political circles, and no little ex-
element was created by the heated dis
cussions Of men who were interested in
defeating what were supposed to be Gov
ernor Warmoth's wishes in the matter.
With the Customhouse faction the
object was to defeat Senator Pinchback.
who was known to be a candidate for the
vacant position, and thought to be
friendly to the Governor, and to do this
the faction that claims to be, par e.ccel-
lsnce, the Republican party Of this State
did not hesitate to form an alliance with
the most ultra members of the Democratic
party in the Senate. This state Of things
was fully developed when the Senate met
yesterday at twelve O'Clock. Secretary
NJ 1al tha
McAlillen had scarcely finished a
motion to 90 into an election of Lieuten-
ant Governor and President of the senate.
when Senator Blackman arose to enter |
his protest against the unconstitutionality |
Of the proceeding. He launched out in a
bold talk, sustaining his views Of the State
which are little better. we |
IRE inclined to think, than his views of the
Of the reconstruction
avs. Senator Blackman, unfortunately
or himself, is one Of those Democrats
who thinks everything unconstitution-
lily done that is not accomplished by
Democrats, and is therefore, always
and always acting TO de-
eat the Republican party. This ac-
cunts for his votes given against Senator
oinchback yesterday. In the contest for
he lieutenant governorship he was the
1agnus Apollo Of the Democratic strength
n the Senate, and CALAMITY he joined his
orces with that persevering band Of Gus
conspirators, who are doing
heir level best to rule or ruin the Repub-
can party in this State. The combined
orces, led respectively by Senator Ingra-
am and Senator Blackman, succeeded
My in delaying for short time the cleo
on of Senator Pinchback to the Office of
lieutenant Governor. They succeeded in
aiming two trials of strength and were
efeated in both. 1t was decided to first
ect temporary president Of the
enate. In this contest the Repub-
cans supported Senator Pinchback
ad the allies Senator Ray. Mr..
inchback was elected and conducted to
re chair. He made few remarks, thank
lg Senator'S for the honor conferred upon
i'm, and concluded by paying feeling
ibute to the memory Of the late Lieuten-
ut Governor Dunn.
In the meantime the allies were raliying
leir forces for another contest When
'erything was ready it was moved to so .
ITO an election for Lieutenant Governor
his time the allies brought ont fresh