New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-16
DEBATES IN THE HOUSE.

called upon Mr. Souer to verify his state
ment that he (Mr. Souer) was responsible
for raising special committee OF inquiry,
and not him (Mr. DavidsOn).
Mr. Souer, of Avoyelles. said: Mr.. Speak
er, the gentleman from Livingston has re-
ferred to me for a confirmation Of his per-
sonal statements to the House: hence arise
in nv seat to confirm the facts presented
by the distinguished representative from
Livingston. With the indulgence of the
House will give the history Of this inves-
tigation Of Judge Abell's official conduct.
am, sir, alone responsible for the raising
OF this special committee of inquiry. When
| read Judge Abeu's charge to the grand
jury, accompanied by his act OF the illegal
discharge of that body, with the extraordi-
nary reasons and statements that he gave
therefor, l determined, after much refec-
ton, to bring this subject to the cOnsldera-
ton of the House, SO that the officers OF
the executive and legislative departments
of our State government, whose char
acter was affected by this ex parte
statement of the learned judge might have
an opportunity of proving the falsity of the
same. for am satisfied that Judge Abel is
such strong and bitter partisan that he
soils his judicial ermine by allowing his
prejudice to run away with his reason. tor
in times of great public excitement like
these faithful Judge should remember that
he is made. by the organic law of the land,
a conservator of the public peace, and not
an abettor OF designing tilibusters, or the
moral supporter of an amateur revolution !;
and for these, motives did draw up the
preamble and resolutions which this House
adopted and the committee appointed there
under. who are now engaged IN the honest
discharge of their duties, and in pursuance
thereof, beg to assure the House that we
will shirk no responsibilities nor permit any
favoritism. If we find the charges true, we
will SO saw, and allow the Governor and
to be heard, and the House can
then apply such legislative remedy as its
Judgment may direct; but if we find Judge
Abells statements to be untounded, and his
actions based on improper and partisan
motives, then we shall present these facts
with suitable recommendations to the
House for their action in the premises. i
am afraid, however, that our. committee,
for the want OF time, i'll view of the large
number of witnesses at Its disposal, as well
as other public duties pressing its members,
will not be able to get through with its in
yestigation before the close OF the session,
and perhaps not at all for want of time;
but whatever we do in the premises will be
done in the interest of the public good and
not for partisan and personal consldera-
tions: for toward Judge Abel personally |
office, | deem it my duty to respect its
authority, and keep its ermine pure and
unspotted from the surroundings OF base
and impure associations. Hence, While DO
ing Justice to the Judge and his court.
will strive to be equally as fair and just
toward the Governor and other gentlemen
whose official integrity and personal char
acters are affected by Judge Abell's special
charge to his late discharged grand jury
on the questions which our committee now
have under investigation therefore, In
closing. beg to say that our committee
will endeavor TO emulate the language of
the martyred Lincoln: with charity to-
ward all, with malice toward none, let us
labor on in the right as God gives us judg-
ment to see the right trusting for the right
result.
Mr.. Kinsella's bill prohibiting the carrying
and using of concealed deadly weapons, Mr..
Kinsella said:
Mr.. Speaker, as the author of the bill now
under consideration, desire to state to the
House the reasons that actuate me in asking
the enactment of this bill into law. 1t re-
onires no close student to examine the
records of our courts to know that more
than one-halt the homicide cases and deadly
assaults and affrays arise from the abuse,
which ia now almost a custom in our midst,
of carving deadly and concealed weapons.
This barbarOus practice, like duehnS, mas
heen 70 the South one OF the abuses mat
has crept into her time-honored chlvairy,
and hefora the war the evils complained OF
in this bill we're bad enough, but since the
closing of the war the practice OF bearing
deadly arms has become almost UNIVERSAL
crstnin OF society, until now murders anu
d,.,d,v atfravs are almost daily occurrences
tbe nassiops of man, at best, are hard TO
centred but when assisted by deadly arms
TIA nassions of q moment breed INTO the
min of q life. hence the strong arm OF the
low sIouIn step in and abolish this pagan
abuse. which Is a disgrace to the clviilna
tion of the nineteenth century Again. lcl
what purpose is civil government, II mel
are to be allowed to take the law lnto theil
own hands. and for every apparent injury
tn hold the life of their adversary IN theh
;n IN keeping, which this abused Gus
TOM edunates society to adopt! slr, The
harha rous Indians Of our own country, a.
well as the barbara customs OF o1her zen
turtles. are more honorable III lne use "
arms. as justification OF personal pio'oo
4;nn +ban ia this abuse complained OF, mas
much as they have the merit u ioG VA I
ceal;ng their weapons and hololm9 In e,n az
yersaries ut an advantage. 1hereloio:
seIsa .lo sooner we enact a law, witt
seringant penalties that will =, aooilsL
81; h;.c,racn on our civilization
The better will we subserSe Ine
purposes Of constitutional Cove oy;er Il theat
toward its citizenship, in guaranteeing .n1s.
inestimable blessings of protection 70 h n,o
liberty and property, in the pursuit Oh na 20
piness, which should be the PROUD herr nds,
of all who have the privilege OF hvlns un Me-
a free and independent repuDhc. 81 w.
Speaker, hardly deem it Necessary ss NTH h. any
extended remarks on this subject, Tor tne
epitome of views have here presented are
hnt the combinations of our every day eA-