New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-19
THE STATE HOUSE,

The Carterites, backed up by the Gus
tomhouse clique, are backing down in at
least one respect. They have ceased max
ing their turbulent street demonstrations.
The hero of these movements has not been
heard upon the streets since last Monday,
when he endeavored to harangue mob III
front of the Customhouse. His perform
ances are said to have been cut short upon
that occasion by Collector Casey. We
will not vouch for the truth of this, but We
can bear witness to the fact that change
has suddenly come over the revolutionary
spirits who were threatening to wade
through blood to the State House in the
capital of the State. They seem to have
come to the conclusion that neither violent
words nor violent actions will
benefit them at this time. In this
they are sensible. They no longer
threaten to annihilate the police
and take forcible possession of the State
House We also regard this as sensible
conduct. If continued it will relieve the
necessity for police i'll and around the
State House to guard it and members of
the State government, who are lawfully
there to discharge their public duties. As
the spirit Of resistance to lawful authority
dies away, and the revolutionary leaders
and symptoms of mob violence disappear,
so will the armed bodies of police disap-
pear from the State House. There were
very few policemen in and around the
Capitol yesterday. and it is but reasonable
to presume there will be less there to-day,
unless the spirit of revolutionary violence
breaks out anew. 1t is safe to say that no
person who did not contemplate violence
had reason to fear the police during the
stormy period through which or city is
just emerging. The police were there to
keep the peace and protectlnembers from
the public archives. They have been
compelled to do most fatiguing duty
during the many days and nights that our
city has been threatened by mob violence;
and for doing this, and protecting the fair
name of our city, and the property and
lives of its citizens, the police are de-
nounced as EARNED pr@torians: ',janis-
saries," etc, by those who uphold mob
violence. But those Of our people who
have fairly and dispassionately viewed the
conduct of our police during the recent
period of public danger must give them
credit for having performed that duty with
discretion and valor. They have brayely
and faithfully done their duty amid the
howlings Of the mob, and the bitter and
unfair demonstrations of mob apologists.
The police have protected the State House
against mob invasion, and when the mob
has ceased to threaten, the police viii
doubtless be relieved of that duty.
Very little was done in the Legislature
yesterday, from the fact that sixteen Sen
ators-the minority not yet made up
their minds to return to the Senate Cham
Der and enter upon faithful discharge Of
their public duties. The Senate was called
to order by Lieutenant Governor Pinch
back at twelve o'clock. There being no
quorum present on motion Of Senator
Hunsaker the Senate was adjourned until
twelve o'clock to-day.
Attwelve o'clock Speaker Brewster called
the House to order, and instructed the
Clerk to call the roll At ten minutes past
twelve he announced fifty-two members
quorum present.
After the adoption of the journal Mr..
Cain Sartain rose to privileged question.
He said he saw in the N0ti0aol Republican
something in regard to himself. He was
represented as being present on Wednes-
day at the Carter Legislature. He did
not claim to belong to either faction. He
was elected a representative Of the people,
and he was looking after their interest rs
well as he knew how, without fear or
favor. He concluded by offering reso-
lul1O1 dullloIlLlllS tiIC "Itllt:IaNt a. VI lolitt
from the State House and its approaches,
that legislation may proceed without in
timidation to the members of tie General
Assembly. The House refused TO sus-
pend the rules, and the resolution lies
over.
Mr.. Sartain's visit to the Garter Legisla
trre seems to have impressed him with a
very wrong idea, for what the police have
been stationed in and around the State
House. He seems to have imbibed the
notion there that they were placed IN the
State House to intimidate members Of the
Legislature, when, in fact. they were
placed there to protect them against in
timidation. Mr. Sartain knows this, and
should have so informed his friend Carter
Mr.. Fontelieu arose also to a privileged
question. He saw published in the National
Republican a speech, purporting to have
been delivered by him on the evening
of the fourth instant, at session
of the Carter Legislature, held over
the Gem drinking saloon. He said
the speech was base fabrication