New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-17

to record my vote in favor of such measures
as deem to be for their highest and best
interests. have never been an advocate
for the election and registration laws as they
stand upon the statute books to-day, and
you will find my vote recorded against the
militia law, also. During the last session OF
the Legislature l advocated, with all the
earnestness and seriousness could COM
mand, the repeal of the printing law as 1t
now stands Therefore, this is not new
conviction of mine. am not bowling to the
will of the mob, but am simply giving
evidence of the sincerity and honesty OF the
opinions which / have always expressed.
SO far as elections are concerned, l am in
favor Of free fight between the different
parties: | am in favor of the passage of
such law as will allow any legal voter to
60 without fear. to the polls and cast his
vote for the men of his choice, and l am in
favor of having the votes counted exactly
as they are given. l desire the passage OF
such laws as will, if it be necessary, restrain
intimidation, prevent fraud, and allow the
people of Louisiana to control her domestic
affairs. If the people want Governor War
moth for their Governor for the next four
wears. let them have him; if they want some
other man, in Gods name let them elect
him. If they want Republican, l am in
favor of such laws as will secure to them a
Republican Governor; and if they want a
no longer remain under the imputatiOn that
we and other State officers who are elected
by the people occupy our positions by the
fraud and cOnnivance of the officers
who held the elections throughout the
State That such things have taken place
in this body do not believe. l believe
that every gentleman who occupies seat
upon this floor has been fairly elected by
the people Of the district he represents. l
believe. also, that the State officers were
fairly elected by the people Of the State
when they made their choice in 1868: and /,
do not desire this action of mine to-day to
be construed as an evidence OF my belief
that there has been fraud on the part OF the
officers OF the law heretofore in the returns
they have made. simply desire that my
vote shall be taken as proof OF my sincerity
in declaring that l was in favor Of the mod
ltication. and, if necessary, of the repeal of
those laws that the people of the State
| looked upon as obnoxious in their charac-
ter. l do not vote thus, repeat, simply
because a mob in the streets of this city de-
mand such action on the part of the Legis-
ture. as has been stated by the Senator INF.
CampbelD.
Mr. Campbell-Does the gentleman refer
to the remarks l made!
Mr.. McAIillen-Yes, sir.
Mr.. Campbell-I said that l voted in
favor Of the repeal Of these measures be-
cause it was the demand of the Senator
who had come in and made up the quorum,
and because it would prevent the loss of
business which this city would otherwise
suffer. did not say that would bow to
the Will Of the mob.
Mr. McMillen-I misunderstood the Sena-
tor. am in favor, Mr.. President, of such
action on our part as will demonstrate to
the people of the State that the members of
the Senate were earnest and truthful when
they told the people they were in favor Of
the modification or repeal Of tho obnoxious
laws. 1t will be an evidence, also. that the
Governor, in his annual message. was sim
cere in his recommendations of Ieform, and
disposes finally of the cry raised by this
band of cOnspiratOrs that the executive and
his friends. as we are called. in the Senate
and House OF Representatives, were deceiv-
ing the people when we said we were in
favor of reform.
Mr. Barber-I had hoped, Mr.. President,
| that the Senate would not act hastily in the
repeal of these various laws but would al
| low ample time for Senators to examine
their provisions Instead of that we are
| led biindly into legislation OF the same
hasty character as that complained OF by
| the people. voted last week for a resolu-
| ton declaring our intention to pass the
| measures of reform which the people de-
| manded at our hands. but do not desire
| which the law has thrown around them
| While am willing to cOncede everything
| the people demand, still think that suffi-
Gent time should he granted to allow us to
| investigate the merits of these laws we are
called upon to repeal. l yield to no one in
nv desire for reform, but do not wish to
vote for anything do not understand. nor
place my vote upon record IN favor OF
measures which, perhaps, may not meet
with the approval of the people represent.
am informed, however. by the represent
atives from my district that club meetings
| have been held and resolutions passed in
| structing their representatives to vote tor
the repeal of these laws. Therefore. say,
Mr.. President, that in voting for these re-
| pealing measures l am simply acting i'll ac-
cordance with the wishes of my cOnstit-
uents. with the assurance, however. that
| other laws will be passed protecting my
| people in the exercise Of their rights.
The bill finally passed.
| PRINTING LAW.
Mr.. Lynch introduced, by unanimous con
sent, a bill to repeal the printing law.which
| Dassed its first and second reading, and was
considered engrossed.
Mr.. Hunsaker said he was willing to
modify the printing law SO that the commits
sioners should not have the right to author
ize the printing of the laws, but not for itf
total repeal. There was a necessity for a
judicial and parochiai printer in each par
ish.
Mr.. Lynch explained that the repeal OF
the law would leave the parOchial printing
in the hands of the police juries.
Mr.. Hunsaker said that was just what he
did not want. He was in favor Of reform
but did not intend to vote blindly.
The President-This law, perhaps more
than all others, has brought upon the Re-
publican party of Louisiana the opprobrinm
of its enemies. As one OF the officers who
have control of the patronage nnler it,
am as much interested in its retention upon
the statute books as anybody, but still
am in favor of repeating it. | stand in the
same position as Senator McHIillen in refer
ence to this matter. This is no new con
viction of mine For some years L have
been in favor of it. and during the last SEES
sion of the General Assembly tried IN vain
to bring it before the Senate. / am in favor
of the passage Of such laws as will secure
to, the friends OF the Repuollcan party
throughout the State all the benefits which
result from the distribution of the patron
age of the State in the way of public PRINT
ing, as it has always been the custom OF the
dominant party everywhere to give tina,
patronage to its supporters. hope the
rules will be suspended to place the bill OF
its third reading.
Dir. Lynch said he would heartily co
operate with the Senator from st. james
MIR. Hunsaker) in the support OF any meas
ure that would meet his views.
! Mr.. Campbell desire to say that
: heartily support this measure, as well a.
all others which look to the reduction o
, taxation and expenditures. In voting t.
repeal the election and cOnstabulary law
. | stated that did so against my convic
tons of what was best for the people OF tn
State. as. III my opinion, they served to pro