New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-23

After the usual routine of business, Mr.
Worrall rose to a privileged question, and
said:
Mr.. Speaker, l have been accused OF
something which l regard as joke; but as
the assertion seems to be serious, think il
due to myself and the members present to
explain my position. l have been charged
with making overtures to the other side
The charge does not seem to be made
in Jest, but as decidedly serious
and now I desire to correct it before this
House. mean to explain before you, as a
member of this House, these charges, and
show you the utter falsity of the asser-
tons. l do this that l may stand before
the people of this city and State in JUST
fable manner. think, sir, that the mem
bers of this House will bear testimony to
a vote that have been unwilling from the
commencement of this session to take part
in any revolutionary proceedings of either
side. have opposed measures that would
have had the slightest effect to produce
revolutionary proceedings. Now l intend
to satisfy the members of this, the
only legal House of Representatives of the
State Of Louisiana, the truth Of this Ques
ton which has been raised.
Ny course has been mainly to inaugurate
reform and an endeavor to bring back
those who have separated from our body
ceedings that have so characterized this
session. And, sir, | am proud of the posi-
ton have occupied in this House during
the present session
You know, gentlemen, that have always
fought the resolution that would eXpel the
erring members without hearing, and
you know l have always been in favor OF
the members coming back and proceeding
in the discharge of the duties for which
Al. L. @f ta,y
parishes. Now, sir, l have been charged
with making overtures to these revolutions
airy members, and want to prove to you
how false these accusations are.
l do not deny that I have conversed
with several Of these gentlemen, and
appealed to them to come back
to their seats as members Of the
House of Representatives should do
and for them not to forget their dignity as
Representatives. This is the third week OF
the session, and the best part of the time
has been spent in making appeals to these
members to come back, and as there does
not seem to be any likelihood Of their com.
ing back in a peaceable manner, voted
for their expulsion this morning.
Now, sir, heard that if these men could
not carry out their intention of taking this
House, the knife of the assassin would be
sent to do it. The remark was made to me,
and l can name the place, time, and the
person who made it, if necessary; and when
men entertain such measures as these, it is
time this House should stand upon its dig
nifty, and refuse to allow those to enter who
rely upon the knife of the assassin to accom-
plish their ends.
Mr. Murray-Who was it,
Mr.. WOrrall-I will tell when it is necessa-
ry. simply state what was told to me by a
party who has been with the other side. 1t
was on the veranda Of the ST. Charles
Hotel that the remark was made; and, sir,
l believe that if this thing is not settled
soon it will ruin New Orleans. 1t has had
its effect upon commerce, bonds and State
securities. The innocent citizens of this
city will suffer; riot and bloodshed will take
place if we do not check this thing. This
is the position that l took upon this floor
some time ago. l am law-abid!ng citizen,
and come here to obey the laws as well as
make them. have opposed these revOlu-
tionary measures all through the session,
and no man will charge me with being a
coward. l propose to be law-abiding
citizen, and, as a representative of peO-
pie. l should raise my voice. l intend
10 stick by the party that inaugu-
rates reform. Reform has controlled
my actions, and it should control the ac-
ton Of every good representative. l intend
W w SUN patty 4uC SoSCAAHlCht
has taken that standpoint, and l shall stand
by it. This is my position. l stand by the
party that inaugurates retrenchment and
reform, nc matter which party inaugurates
these measures; but l can not stick to a
party whose only desire seems to be riot
revolution and bloodshed. l hope, sir
that all the members Will stick together
and endeavor to carry out these great meas
ures of retrenchment and reform. / am
with the majority, and propose to stick to
them; and believe that in a few days vic
tory will be ours.
Now, Mr. Speaker, have voted to expel
these members, yet think there is chance
for them to come back and will vote for
their return with more alacrity than did
their expulsion. If they come back l will
recognize them as members Of the legal
House Of Representatives. If they want to
come back a resolution can be offered, and
will cheerfully vote for them to return
and take their seats as representatives Oh
people who expect them to represent them.
But, sir, l do not intend to ask them to
come back. We have spent much time in
SO doing, and | intend to let them stay away
if they will not return without asking.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, you see how false the
accusation is against me. l want it dis
tinctly understood that l do not recognize
any legai Mouse OF representatives but
this; and, sir, propose, if necessary, to die
with you here before will leave this House
and go to any other. l have much to en-
courage me. The honest, lava biding peO-
pie of the State say we are right. They
say that we are discharging our duty as
of the people, and with that
assurance feel justified in sticking to this
party, who, it seems, desire peace and
order in preference to riot and blOodshed.
Let us remain steadfast to the banner that
We have raised and in a short time these