New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-05
J the roll. 1t was soon ascertained that
| there was no QUORUM present.

uuOtlOn was tnen made TO instruct tne
Sergeant-at-Arms to prevent any member
from leaving the House, and also to send
members. An additional member or two,
not acquainted with the condition of
affairs, were soon captured and brought
into the House. This made the number
present fifty-one, and by holding on to
them by forcible means, the Carterltes
proceeded to carry out their revolutionary
and, in this country, most unwarrantable
and shameful conduct Mr. Yorke then
rose to what he styled a privileged ques-
ton. He said that yesterday the Speaker
had concluded to resign, but since that
time he had changed his mind. Mr..
lorke said he made this statement III
order that he might be placed right upon
record.
Shortly after this it was discovered
that the quorum was again broken, but
by instituting a more rigid police over
| members present, and making q sharp
hunt for absent ones, the number was
| increased to ffty-one, including the
| Speaker This number the Speaker de-
clared constituted quorum, notwlth-
standing he was notified to the contrary;
and then the work Of the revolutionists
commenced in earnest. In the most hur-
red, info FINAL and undignitied manner
seven Re publican members who had
served tn Tough the last session Of the
Legislator were now declared no longer
members Of the House. 1t WAS while the
vote was being taken to unseat these
members that Dr. Worrall, the mem
Der from jefferson, rose and en-
tered his protest against the sum
mary manner of ousting members
from their seats He said it was unlaw
full, and he should vote against unseating
members without hearing. But this
did not serve to check the high-handed
proceedings Of the men who had placed
| their political fortunes onthe hazard of
| their own interruptions will. The Speaker
ruled that Dr. Worrall was wrong, and
! gave notice that there should be no fur
ther interruption in the vote that was
being taken. When the Clerk had fin
ished calling the roll he announced that
forty-two members had voted for and
eight against removing Messrs La Sail
| Mere and Mcfarland, of St Martin, ".
L. Wheyland, of Sabine, /. J. Souer, of
Ayoyelles, o. H. Hampstead, of Iberyllle,
and Abel and Stanton, of Bossier.
And tvs Speaker accordingly declared The
seats Of these members vacant.
The next step was to adopt the
minutes of Tuesday, which embraced the
scandalous and ruinouS administra ton of
thirty days OF the last session. The vote
on the adoption of Tuesdays minutes
reminded Us much of the manner il
which things were done on the last night
of the lA5t SESSION.
1t is painful TO have to record such
condition of things in the lower branch
| OF the Legislature. If tie prospect Of
speedy organization on Tuesday was bad,
it was certainly worse yesterday, although
there was good reason for believing on
Wednesday the Republicans would have
no difficulty in securing an organization
the following day.
The proceedings of yesterday can not
be considered other than an unsuccessful
stroke of violence in State affairs, from
the fact that Speaker Carter and his
clique do not possess the power to en-
force their unlawful acts. Fifty-one
members DO not constitute quorum.
And when a quorum can be had, it is
to be hoped that the usurpations ard dis
grace that have been heaped upon Repub-
lican members Will be atoned for by the
speedy removal Of the bold, bad man who
occupies the Speakers chair through in
trigue, and does not hesitate to invoke
military power TO help him play the petty
tyrant When such men can meet with
continued success in this country, Repub-
lican rule will be at an end, and our halls
OF legislation become the frequent scenes
Of disorder and madness instead of cool
elaboration and wisdom.
Since the above reflections were writ
ten the House was convened by procla-
nation of the Governor and met in their
hall for the purpose Of organization A
full report Of the proceedings viii be
found on tie first page
It will be seen that tifty-eight members
answered to their names, being six more
than is deemed a quorum under the
usaGcs OF. tie House. As there are one
hundred and SIX Representatives in
full House, We are Of the opinion that it
requires tifty-tour to form quorum.
But, in any case, less than ftty-two
would be insufficient to meet the consti-
tutional requirement.
The House, as now orgauized, has
elected Hon. o. H. Brewster, of Ouachita,
for its Speaker, ard We believe there is
determination and energy. enough in the
fifty ght members to assert their rights.