New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-10
to ALL not to the colored members alone.

Mr.. Thompson: An appeal has been mad
to the colored Representatives upon thi
floor, and appeal to them too. l appea
to them to reflect on this, as well as to M
own party, before allowing your ears to b
shut by any more such clatter, before yo1
allow them to make that conclusion, ever,
motion that may be made by gentlemen
who do not happen to belong +
your party, simply because he dis
agrees with you on some genera
principle of government are you il
| every instance to vote down every motion
that may be made by a gentleman! con
tend that this amendment that l offer i
nothing more than just this: TO allow N
intelligent municipal board to regulate thu
affairs of the inhabitants Of those corpor
atoms; and that those gentlemen are jus
| as well and better qualified to decide upoI
| all matters connected with education within
the limits of the corporations than the State
| Board; and | contend that it is n0thin.
more than right that they should have tn.
! power of governing their corporations, and
deny that any amendment which has beer
offered by myself or other gentlemen of thu
| Democratic party is a plan to cheat you out
of Your rights to be educated. openly ac
| knowledge myself in favor of it. and Vol
| well know from my actions so far that
| have assisted you i'll obtaining some of you,
rights that some of the gentlemen on tn,
! other side didn'; propose to give yOn.
now sit down, with the hope that will heal
no more of this cry about oppression and
rebel. and the narrowing up of old matters
| that we understood We're settled by the ter
! mination of the late contest
, Mr. Burch, of East Baton Rouge: Mr.
| Speaker. don't really believe at this very
| late date. it is necessary for me to review
| that good old Democratic spirit, the repre-
sentative OF which we have Just heard,
| especially rs il has beeR directed solely to
the American citizens of African descent
am very sorry that some of these gentle
men. who have lived in Louisiana longer
than your humble servant. and who are
more intimately acquainted with Mr..
Thompson. can not recollcct hearing any
such remarks from him before relative to
the welfare of the blacks in the State of
Louisiana. | don't believe it is necessary
for me to undertake to speak to the colored
members of this House. in order to do away
with any influence which the gentleman
might possibly have thought that he was
creating upon the members of this House.
He may talk abou; carpctbaggcrs. but
believe the ma jOrity of the black men in
this State will say that there was more in
the carpetba.s OF the carpet baggers than
ever was in any trunk - Southcrner eyer
owned in this State. (Aplfause.
Mr.. Brewster. OF Ouachita: Would the
gentleman allow me to interrupt him one
moment: l would like 70 know if the sub
jet of trunks and carpet bags is before the
House.
Mr. Burcl: The gentleman asks me
where was ten years ago. | will tell him
that wanted to come To Louisiana. but
didn't dare to. because. if he wasn't in the
Legislature. those who We're had made
law by which. if came down here to New
Orleans. that lrouldnt get on the levee
but villa, they would calahoosc me very
quick because l was black man: and l
didn't dare to come until they sent the
soldiers down here to clear the path A
soon "a could | came here. and | have
come to stay. too. (Applausc.l | will say
this. that he don't believe that at this late
date the Democrats in this State really
wish to d.p,i.. Ih. color.,l men of euuca-
ton.
Mr.. Thompson: would like I" ask the
gentleman this question. What State was
he III. at the time that he speaks ot. when it
was Illegal to come 10 New Orleans!
Mr.. Burcll: was in the same State, tina,
if YOU brought a colorcd man from Louisi-
ana there he WAS free.
Mr.. THOMPSON: What State WAS that:
Mr.. Burch: The United States.
Mr.. Thompson: We're yol allowed to vote
in that State that You we!. in al that
time.
Mr.. Burcl: Yea. sir.
Mr.. Thompson What State was it
Mr.. Burcii want to ask the gentleman
from st. Ta,nmany il he is acquainted with
il he has Il thorough knowledge Of politics
in the United States
Mr.. Thompson: Probably more :" than
the speaker.
Mr. Burch: -" you know what States
colored men voted in in the North:
Mr.. Thompson: think l. do.
Mr.. Burch What were they
Mr.. Thompson: l think they didn't vote
in a single one
Mr.. I;ur.h: | was in the stat. Of New
York.
Mr.. La >alinierc: Mr.. Speaker. sincerely
hope thar the legislation OF the State of
Louisiana can not be decided between two
gentlemen on this floor. think every gen
tlrman will bear ne out.
Mr. Burch: As I said ~ the gentleman l
lived in the State Of New York. and as his
knowledge of American politics does not 90
that far. will inform the gentleman that
Colored men did vote in that State.
Mr. Thompson: Provided they had \ cc,-
tain amount OF property.
Mr. Burch: | have only to say ~ the
House that l don't really believe that the
argument has been especially useful for the
purpose o: sc:illcin. away those called here
carpet -ba. gcrs. don, believe ii will Sc
ducc us from the path we have chosen. We
are ready to do battle against police jurors.
or municipalities. or anything else that
comes in the way of this bill. We are de-
termined to carry it through. and | say
like Macbc.h
And damned BE- n. tha: first cries hold enough
The amendment offered by Mr.. Thompson
WIS tabled.
The motion having been made. by Mr.
Ringgold, .! Orleans. to make the salary OF
the secretary of the board Sl50O instead Of
S2O0O-
Mr. Bentley. Of st. Mary: As chairman Of
the committee. | have an explanation to
make. Ii there is any one who knows any
thing about school business. he knows that
the position of secretary is a very arduOus
one, and requires y great deal OF time and
attention. Two thousand dollars was con
sidered j very small sum. l believe, in for
mer times, secretaries have received greater
allowances, but it is almost impossible for a
person to live in this city Oh y salary of
much less.
Mr.. Ringsoll. Of Orleans: withdraw my
amendment.
The section providin. for the salary of the
Superintendent of the Fifth Division having
been read. Mr.. Brewster of Ouachita
moved to amend by making the salary
$1,000. instead of $500.
Mr.. Carr. Of DE Soto: Section nine in
creases the salary from $4,000 to $500. The
city superintendent. under the old regime
before the Republicans got into power, re-
ceived II salary of $4,000 u year. and also
had an assistant superintendent at the rate
of $1,000 making IL total of $1,000. which is
paid for the work which is done by this
same superintendent for the sum of $ 1000
This. the city members very we'll know, is q
- An.Nn