New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-12-12
second Days Proceedings.

New Orleans. December 49, 1872. )
The House was called to order at II NJ
Speaker Lowell in the chair
The roll was called and the following
members answered to their names:
Speaker Lowell and Messrs. Allan, Arm
stead, Antoine. Bowman, Bryant, Baker,
Bovd, Blackstone, Brickham, Barrow, Con
nauohtOn. COuzin, Demas, Davidson, Davis,
Dev6zin, Deioie, Dumont, Dayries, Devices,
Estilette Fontelieu, Grant, Gair, CAN'T,
Guichard, Heffner, Hubeau, Hill, Hahn
Heath, Hedgepath, Jones, Heating, Kenyon
Keys, Lewis, Landry, Lawes, Murreu Tia
fourche), Murrell (Madisonl, Mahoney, Mar
tinet, Marie, Matthews, MOntaldO, Page,
Paris, Rochon, Rodrigues, Souer, Sawyer,
Stewart, Sartaln, Snaer, Southland, Sewell,
Thomas, Tureaud, Williams, Wilson, Ward,
Wands-64.
Quorum present.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Green.
The following gentlemen were sworn in
by the Speaker and admitted to their Seats
G. C. Benham, of Carroll, William Kern, of
Jefferson, S. A. Shakespeare, Of Orleans,
and w. H Kirkman, of Calcasieu.
MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
The Secretary of State was announced
and delivered into the hands of the Speaker
the returns of the election held November A.
1872, for Governor and Lieutenant Cover
nor, in accordance with the provisions Uf
article forty-eight ofthe constitution of Lou
isiana.
On motion of Mr.. John Gair, of East Fe-
Iioiana, the reading Of the journal in detail
was dispensed with, and, after a few cor
rections, approved.
Mr. Devices, of Red River, moved that 3
committee on rules, to be composed of five
members, Of which the Speaker shall be
chairman, be appointed.
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR.
The following message from Acting Gov
ernor Z. B. S. Pinchback was read, and, on
motion of. Mr. Hahn, OF St. Charles, was
ordered to be spread on the journal
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Executive Department, ;
New Orleans, December 10, 1872. }
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatves Of the State of Louisiana ia General
Assembly convened
Called by the provisions of the constitu-
ton to succeed to the duties of Governor of
the State, his excelIency, after having con-
vened the General Assembly in extrAordi-
nary session, having declined to cOmmuni-
cate to you the objects which led him to
convene you, deem it my duty to recon-
mend such measures of legislation as, in my
opinion, the public good requires.
[ would call your attention TO the pending
impeachment against his eXcellenCy, and
would recommend that in due form Of law
a speedy trial of the same be had, to the
end that public justice may be attained or
the innocency of his eXcelleHcy be estab-
lished.
| would recommend that there should be
instituted a most thorough investigation
into the high-h8nded frauds alleged to have
been perpetrated during the recent general
election, with which the public press is
teeming, and of which there would seem to
be such overwhelming proofs in the courts,
so that the authors of these outrages upon
the great rights of the people, if they be
found to have been committed, may be
brought to condign punishment, and the
fair name and fame of the State may be
purged from the obloquy with which it
would otherwise be stained. Therefore, l
would recommend that committee to in
vestigate these alleged frauds and irregu-
laritles be appointed, with the fullest pow
ers, and authorized, if necessary, to sit in
vacation. The right of suffrage is, at the
last, at the foundation of all other personal
rights in republic, and if this right is
given but in name, it is not the right of
the individual deprived of his vote which
is stricken down, but it is blow aimed at
the liberties of all the people. If, as is al
legged, these frauds have taken such gigan-
tic proportions and have been made to
extend, like sea, all over the State, it is
your duty to have them and their authors
thoroughly exposed, so that an example
may be made which will tend to deter for
all time all who are disposed to repeat such
otfenses. The Congress of the United
States has done much to prevent and
punish these invasiOns of our most sacred
right but if we would remain secure in its
enjoyment we must cooperate with Con-
gress to the fullest extent of our ability
as legislators, and if further legislation is
needed, as think it is, this investigation
will furnish much aid by showing the meth
DDS by which the peoples rights have been
assailed, and will thereby suggest the
most effective means of their further pro-
lection.
1t is painful to contemplate the necessi-
ties which called into exercise the power of
Congress over the subject of voting in the
States, and did that legislation need any
vindication, think it would be found in
the election which has just taken place in
our midst, at which it would seem that but
for the wisdom of Congress, and the firm
ness of the federal court, the right to vote
would have been little more than mock
cry.
As the case at present stands, your ses-
sion is, by the proclamation Of his excel
lency, limited to the period of ten days; but
if the good of the State shall seem to de-
mand your longer presence as General
Assembly, will take suitable measures for
the extension of your session.
The people have complained of oppres-
sive laws. | would recommend that all
laws which are justly obnoxious, or WHICH
bear progressively upon any portion of the
people of this State whether political or
economical, be modified or repealed, and
that your legislation be conducted not in
the interests of any class, but with a view
to protect the rights, and foster the inter
eets of the whole people Of this State
p B. S. PINCHBACK,
Lieutenant Governor, Acting Governor of
Louisiana.
Under a suspension of the rules, Mr. Muir
rell of Madison, offered the following Eeso-
luton, which was adopted:
ResoIUed, That the Sergeant-at-Arms of
this House be and he is hereby directed to
report to this House what stationery and
other supplies have been tarned over to
him by the late Sergeant-at-Arms, and
whether said articles were not purchased
within the last few weeks, and from whom
purchased and at what price.
The following resolution, offered by Mr.
Hahn, of St. Charles, was, under suspen-
sion of the rules adopted: