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

some matters right which could not be done
in any other manner. In the first place,
claim that as public journalist, have
perfect right to criticise any member on
this floor or the acts OF any ofhclal One
of the most sacred rights guaranteed tn us
as people is that of liberty to the press.
When this is gone all is gone. and we may
bid good bye to Republicanism. and good
bye to the nation. l would call the atten-
ton of the House to one significant fact
that is, that in all this vindictive personal
abuse which you have tolerated, the gentle
man has never denied single charge that
has been made against him in the article
complained Of He knows that every word
and letter is true, and he can not conceal
that fact behind TRADE of personal abuse.
Such outrageous conduct is legitimate
ground for criticism and exposure, and
deny that the questions involved are such
as can be properly brought upon the floor
OF the House. have done nothing as
member of the House of Representatives
that should here I've called in question.
Even after the violent attack made upon
Inc by the gentleman a few days ago, was
not permitted to reply, and nothing re-
manned but for me to take the means at my
| disposal to show up the true character OF
| my calumniatOr.
l repeat that what l have done l have
| done in the exercise of right never called
in question in any truly free State-the
| right guaranteed to ne by the constitution
of my country to freely discuss all quescc
tons. and as freely to criticise the acts OF
every representative of the people. l rise,
therefore, in defense Of the press and the
rights of all its editors to protect the people
from the peculation and frauds such as are
| charged in the article now complained OF,
and which the gentleman dare not deny.
Having thus defended my rights as public
journalist l now proceed to answer the
charge the gentleman has made-that am
not a resident Of the parish l represent; ana
not entitled to seat ON this floor. when
the gentleman made that charge he knew
that it was deliberately false. We're here
as Representative from CaddO, or DE
Soto it might do very well to make that
charge: but being in the midst Of people
who are cognizant of the facts. the state
ment will be received with a surprise only
equaled by the impudence and mendacity
of the man who made it. When this ques-
ton was first raised requested two gentle
men to go to a room-I believe it was room
No. i'm the hotel in Baton Rouge, and
look upon the side of the chimney-breast, as
we'll as on the register and that on that
chimney breast they would find my name
and the date of my departure for New Or
leans. This was put there through an I'M
Outstanding with gentleman with whom
above, and desired me to indicate in this
manner when l left for this city. One OF
those gentlemen was on the floor OF the
House few minutes ago; the other Is Cap
tain Samuel Houston. well known to most
of YOU. Ask either Of these witnesses, and
they will inform you that the date there
recorded was October %. three years ago
permanently in this city. The first part OF
the time l resided on TivOli circle. Then
for about seven months with the Governor
of the State; then into the parish of Jefier-
son. where ! have lived ever since, and
never have been out of that parish single
day, except when / disgraced myself by
going out on a campaign with this gentle
map, in the fall before last.
Mr.. Stamps-Does the gentleman pretend
that he lives in the parish of Jefferson?
Mr.. Worrall-Yes. sir. Then after mo,
ment's pause), Oh, Mr.. Speaker, I see the
bubble, and would now call the attention
of the House thereto, in order that they
may form their own opinion of the'desper
ate dishonesty of the man. the gentleman
knows as we'll as l do that l live in the
jefferson representative district, and would
in this manner sneak out of his position
If | am not a Representative from JeM,r
then neither is my honorable friend and
colleague, Mr.. Garstkamp. My first resi-
dence in Jefferson was on street three
blocks above the car station; atterward
removed to nv present. residence, and my
rent receipt, now in my possession, Will
show the truthfuluess of all | relate. and
the gentleman knows that state the truth
What, then, must you Representatives on
this floor think Of him! My next reply will
be to that portion of the charge respecting
nv fidelity to the principles OF the Repub
lican party. Why, sir, | was advocating
the principles OF the party while the gen
tleman was yet in his swaddllng clothes
and the floor Of this House is the last place
where that question should be raised. Is il
not Infamous Ia it not base ingratitudt
that who, during the last session, intro
,lucel in this House the only bill that evel
secured civil rights to the cOlOred people Oi
this State, should now have my fidelity tC
the party called in question by one of the
race that bill was designed to benefit! Il
this the reward that white men get for the
trials and sacrifices they have made ! 1t sc
we shall have little difficulty in seeing the
liberties thus abused dashed to the grOunC
by their own hands.
Now, Mr.. Speaker. come to the ridicu
, lous portion of this affair. The gentleman
talks of fight. and of holding me to per
sonal responsibility outside and all thai
kind of buncomb. "Mr. Speaker. | object
A pretty pass We have come to. When e
out to fight will go out with gentleman
MI. StampS-DOeS Inc SculltIIdu stO
that am MOI gentleman
Mr.. Garstkamp-Mr. Speaker, l rise to ;
point of order. This is ceasing to be ;
privileged question and becoming "a persona
quarrel
Speaker Brewster must remind thu
gentleman from Jefferson Mr.. Garstkamp
that l gave the utmost latitude to Mr.
Stamps and must grant the same in reply
Mr. Worrall-That is a Just decision.
Mr. Stamps wish to know it he said
;, was no gentleman!
Mr. Worrall-I will answer the question
If called you gentleman | hereby apol
ogize to the House and to all true gentle
men for the insult l offered them. Ant
now. Mr.. speaker. | have replied to all tina,
is worthy of notice in the violent attach
made upon me and shall proceed to notice
the real cause of this whole difficulty.
have refused to be a party to the disgrace
full quarrel that has been going on here fol
the last month. Ihave endeavOred to SAVE
the Legislature from disgrace and thu
State from ruin. l have refused to sane
ton the violence OF either faction, ant
have opposed every violent proceeding, NJ
matter by which side attempted. Gentle
, men will bear me testimony that when al
} attempt was made by the opposite factor
to that to which my present enemies be
long, | stood one whole day and Tough
single handed to prevent the summary ex
pulsion of Messrs. La Saliniere, Mcfarland
, Hampstead and the one whose blood ha
stained the ground of this city. 1t was al
5 right then, but when l strOve to proven
: like violence ON the other side, it was al
, wrong. and efforts were made to expel mt
and Mr.. Stanton from the House
| and the very gentlemen who wer
| saved by our efforts are now asked t.
| vote for my expulsion. viii they do it
| Standing thus between the two c0ntendint