New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-26
DEBATES IN THE HOUSE.
WEDNESDAY, January "a, 1872

After calling the House to order, speaker
Brewster directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to
enforce rule No. 20 of the House, which
says that "nOne but members will be al
lowed seats upon the floor"
A number Of the Carter members had en-
tered and taken seats, among them Mr..
Bryan, of Calcasieu, who said:
Then, Mr.. Speaker, you do not consider
me member.
The Speaker-YOu are not member of
this House.
After the usual routine the Speaker an
nounced the House ready for business.
Mr.. Davidson-I am willing, sir, to take
up the resolution by which certain members
Of this House were expelled. and recon
slider it. Ny plan is to take their names
one by one, and get the House to act upon
them, and shall urge the adoption of the
plan suggest.
Mr.. Carl introduced yesterday sub
stitute that will cover this case, and which
will allow the members to take their seats.
think it better plan to let these men,
bers, who wish to come back, 60 before this
committee, and let the committee report to
the House. This thing of taking the names
of members one by one is absolutely I'M
necessary, and l hope the members will
adopt the resolution which provides that
the members come before the committee.
Mr.. Matthew'S am opposed to the sub
stitute offered by the gentleman from DE
Soto. l do not think it is right to pro-
coed in any such manner, after having
Yesterday admitted four OF the expelled
members This resolution will put these
gentlemen to great deal Of trouble and
will DELAY their being admitted. They have
sent in their names and asked to be ad-
mitted, and have appeared here to take
their seats when admitted, thereby recOg-
nizing us as the legal House of Representa-
tiyes. am in favor Of the motion OF the
gentleman from Livingston, to reconsider,
and let us fake up their cases and admit
those you want. We have provided a
certain course for letting these men in, and
l see no reason for diverging from that
course to satisfy the gentleman from De
500. l, therefore. am opposed to the sub
stitute.
Mr. Dewees-I am opposed to this COM
mittee. Let the members come before the
House, and let US decide whether or not they
are entitled to seats on this floor. They
have expressed willingness to come here,
and let them come. 1t will save further
trouble. 1t will only put these gentlemen
to trouble, and it does not look right to me.
Mr.. Harper, of st. Charles-1 would like
to ask the gentleman who it was that pre-
sented any evidence that these members
were willing to return to their seats!
Mr.. DavidsOn-I can answer that ques-
ton. have list of them in my hand
which will read, and / move that we lay
the subject in reference to the committee
on the table. M
subject is not before the House. Accord
ing to rule 81, this resolution of mine comes
in the order of unfinished business.
The Speaker decide the point of order
well taken.
Some questions arose in reference to a
motion which Mr.. Carr wished to offer.
Mr. Carl must acknowledge that can
not offer it now as substitute.
The Speaker-Dces the gentleman from
De Soto withdraw his substitute
Mr. Carl do, but l now offer this mo-
ton.
The Clerk read the motion.
Mr. Brown am opposed to this substi-
tute, and l trust the member will not accept
it. but accept that Of the gentleman from
Livingston. l am in favor Of the manner
of hearing them introduced. Let them
come before the House, and then let the
members decide. OF course there are
great many members who are Objectionable,
and who are not entitled to seats. Let the
House decide whether they shall take their
seats or not l am in favor of taking up
their cases one at time. BY that means
we can take action ourselves and decide
who shall and who shall not be entitled to
seats on this floor.
Mr.. Hempstead-I do not like this plan
of taking up the names OF individuals one
at time. You cannot allow one to take
his seat and not all. Some of the members
NAV have personal grudge against mem-
Der that wants to come in, and he will vote
against their admission. Now, l do not
want any thing like that to occur, so favor
the adoption of the resolution appointing
committee to investigate why these mem
bers left and wherefore. Let us have the
committee by all means, and we Will not
take up the time of the House.
Mr.. Harper, Of st. Charles-i am very
glad, Mr.. Speaker, to know that these gen
tlemen wish to return, even at this late
time. to their seats in this House. am
pleased to hear that they are now ready to
return and perform the duties and obey the
oath thew have taken to support their con-
stituents, and do the duty that is required
of them as legislators. think it is good
sign: but at the same time l want to know
if they now regard this as the only legal
House of Representatives, and the present
Speaker in the chair as the legal Speaker OF
the House of Representatives OF the State
of Louisiana, and whether they intend to
return to this House to renew the quarrel
that has disturbed the business OF this
House for the past few weeks: whether or
not thew are coming here to represent their
constituents, and for the interest OF the
State. We do not want to take up the
names one by one; we do not want to inves-
tigate their characters; we do not want 10
know anything of their private characters.
| think that We should not do this. All l
want to know is what have stated. do
not care to know the motives OF these gen
tlemen. All want them to do is to work
for the interest Of their State. l want them
to abide by the majority Of the House.
want them to recognize this as the only
legal House of Representatives.
1 desire when they come that the mem
bers entertain and respect their opinions.
and want them to do the same by us. l.
believe they will submit to the majority OF
the House. l believe they will endeavor to
carry out the oath they took when they
were elected to the House of Represent
atives. and that they will perform the
duties of legislators. But yet l want to
know that if we reconsider this resolution
which expelled these members, If they in
tend to carry out the measures have sug-
gested If they do will vote for their re-
turn.
Mr.. Faulkner am in favor of recon-
sidering the resolution as far as 1t relates to
certain members that have been expelled.
That they have violated their oath no one
questions, but then as they are repentant, l
am in favor OF allowing them to return.
| Now | do not wish to underrate any OF
! these members, yet it is known to most all
| of the members that they have in more
.han one way violated the rules of this
House. think that it is our duty to act in
reference to their cases.
Mr.. Stamps-I spoke about this question
yesterday, and now, as | said yesterday, it
is matter that requires careful attention
a matter that must not be acted upon too
| hastily There is not q member on this
| floor who doubts for an instant that they
are members of this House and that they
are entitled to seats on this floor. yet they
| La.-o ,iolatad tho rulas of this Hnnse hut