New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-13

people could not possibly charge it on them.
The committee would simply be check on
the other, and for this reason am in favor
of the appointment of special committee,
as much tor the protection of the regular
committee as for any other reason.
Mr.. McMilen moved as substitute that
the communication Of the Warrant Clerk be
referred to the committee of the last ses-
sion.
Mr.. Lewis moved 20 lay that motion on
the table.
The Senate refused to table the motion
thirteen yeas to fourteen nays.
Mr.. Lynch am in favor of the strictest
investigation, but l think 1t a matter of
courtesy to this committee, as they have
promised to report at an early day, that the
matter should be referred to them.
Mr.. Hunsaker-I will state that if this
substitute is adopted it is 10y intention to
move that Senator Blackman be appointed
to Eli the vacancy on the committee caused
by the election Of the Lieutenant Governor
to the speakership.
The substitute was adopted, and Mr.
Blackman was appointed on the committee
to fill the place of Lieutenant Governor
Pinchback.
THE VACANCIES IN TIE SENATE.
On the motion to appoint committee to
tors Pierce and Fish
Mr.. McMillen said: | am in faver of the
object of this resolution; that is, to notify
the Governor Of the death of two of our
number. This fact has never been an
nounced on this floor, but presume we all
admit it to be true. l do not see the use,
however, of appointing a committee for
this purpose. | suggest that the resolution
be changed so as to instruct the Secretary
tn ap nf q
Mr.. Blackman-Will the Governor ac
cept such notice
Mr. McMillen.Certainly he will; the
Secretary writes letter, it becomes mat
ter Of record. and then the Governor will
order an election.
Mr.. Blackman-What is the objection to
appointing committee
Mr.. McMillen-Because it is an Eunusual
course.
Mr.. Blackman-Then pass resolution,
and send him copy.
Mr.. McMillen-I will agree to that.
Mr.. HuuHaker-My only object is to avoid
the excitement and expense of an election
at this time. If an election were ordered
the Senators could not get in before the
close OF the session. / would suggest, as a
means of avoiding expense to the State and
the excitement of an election, that this
matter be referred to the Committee on
Election and Qualifications, with view
for them to report back, so that the Gov
ernor may know of the fact in time for the
general election in 1872 This avoids I'M
necessary expense to the State. ard great
deal OF excitement to the city. There is
still another point. Under what law can
an election be held! | do not know if there
is any election law or not. Ny friend from
Claiborne wants tair deal, and | know
that he is not willing TO submit to an cleo
ton under the old regime. | move to refer
this matter to the Committee on Election
and Qualifications
Mr.. Gallup seconded the motion.
Mr.. lngraham-It is well known to the
Senate that there are two vacancies in this
body. The first fact is that the Secretary
has omitted from the roll the names of
Senator'S Fish and Pierce. Senator Pierce,
| know, is dead, for in connection with the
executive | attended his funeral. Every
Senator ON this floor represents on an aver
age nineteen thousand people; the conse-
quence is that by the untitled vacancy oc-
casioned by the death Of Senator Fish.
nineteen thousand people are left without
representation in the Senate Of Louisiana.
Senator Pierce. by "a strange change of cir
cumstances. represented over forty thou
sand people in the Fourth District. They
are without representation here, and their
interests require as much attention here as
lut people u lle ptlfIcil Ol 81 JdiutS
1t being now one Oclo k, the President
called for the order Of the day.
Mr.. Ray moved to postpone the order of
the day until two o'clock.
Mr.. Hunsaker objected.
The Chair decided that without unani-
nous concent the order of the day could
not be postponed.
RECOVERY OF STATE COTTON.
The message of the Governor was read
vetoing the bill providing for the appoint
ment of committee to obtain compensa-
ton for cotton, sugar. etc, belonging to the
State improperly taken possession Of ty the
government of the Cnred States at the
time of the surrender
Mr.. Blackman said-I was the author of
this resolution. and for these reasons:
was informed by gentlemen cognizant Of
the tactS-some of the best citizens of the
State-that at the time Of the surrender at
Shreveport. where the then State govern
ment under Confederate authority was
established, there were immense quantities
of cotton. sugar, and other valuable pro-
ducts and property. which were taken pos
session of ny the United States authorities
as captured property under the act of Con-
gress. This act extended to abandoned
property in the South. but under no circuln-
stances could it he considered that the act
ol OOnprtSS dulDOfIZtu the general govern
ment or its officers, after the surrender Of
the Confederate army and after they had
retired from the field, to take possession Of
$4,000. 600 or SSOO0,0 00 of cotton and sugar
belonging to the State. AS | am informed,
the officers of the general government, in
violation of the law, did take possession
Of this amount of property belonging to
the State and placed the proceeds in
the Golfers of the United States. 1t
So, %I,n
these facts-of finding out how much prop
erty has been taken possession of, and how
much it was worth. and of presenting to
Congress a memorial requesting that the
State be reimbursed the value of property
thus illegally taken away by its revenue
officers. that | introduced this resolution.
| thought it very proper legislation, and
think so now. Some of the best citizens of
the State are cognizant of the facts. The
books of Governor Allen and his cotton
agents will exhibit all that is necessary to
establish basis FOR this claim. They are
here in the city of New Orleans. If the
property did belong to the State of Louis
lana, and was surreptiti0usly taken posses
sion of by the federal government it should
be returned to the State There is no eX-
@pense to the State involved in this resOlu-
ton; it provides no mileage or per diem; it
does not provide that they shall receive any
compensation except percentage OUT OF the
amount which they may recover for the
State. therefore considered the resolution
not only proper but an unimportaIt one. If
the property belongs to Us let us claim it: if
it does motif, after far investigation the
commission decides that the State govern
ment has no claim on the general govern
ment-no harm is done. Perhaps the Gov
ernor does not understand the objects and
purport of this resolution; perhaps he was
not cognzant of the fact that there was a
of the United States government. There