New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-31
DEBATES IN THE SENATE.
TUESDAY, January %, 1872

TUESDAY, January %, 1872.
The following are the remarks of Mr..
Biackman, omitted in the report published
yesterday:
Mr.. Blackman-I have few words to
say in reply to the remarks of the Senator
from Orleans (Mr. Campbell.) The gentle
man has made a great many assertions in
bold and in some instances eloquent Ian
guage, without any foundation in fact. He
charges on the part of the CustomhOuse
officials here, as representing portion of
the Republican party of the State, cOali-
ton with the Democrats for the purpose Of
oyerthrOwing the present State government
by violence. That assertion l am prepared
60 deny, so far as | am personally con
cerncd, and so far as the Democracy of the
State is concerned. The Democratic party
ha8 never entered into any conspiracy and
no compact for the purpose of destroying
the State government, nor do believe the
Republican members Of what is called the
Customhouse party ever had any such in
tention. We have been brought together
by a community of interests--you may say
we have been driven together by dire ne
cesslty-for the purpose of protecting our
selves against the outrageous conduct and
destructive usurpatiOns of the chief execl-
tive: we were forced to form combination
simply as Senators representing an injured
people, and not as Democrats and Repub-
touched upon. and party advantage never
considered
The President dislike to interrupt the
Senator. but l would like to ask him what
he told me when he came into the Senate
asked him whether he was going to oppose
me, and he told me the policy Of the Demo
cratic party was to work with the weakest
side of the Republican party.
Mr. Blacklnan-Well, be it SO. We occu.
Il
last session, when Governor Warmoth was
the weakest in the Senate, and when the
gentleman now presiding SO eloquently
declaimcd against us, and declared
that Warmoth intended to make slaves of
all. We thought the Republicans repre-
senting Governor Warmoth intended to
carry out those measures Of reform which
were SO vehemently demanded by the peo-
pie OF the State, and which they considered
necessary for the preservation of their civil
and Political rights. Warmoth and his pO
iitical satellites SO promised. The record
will show their broken promises, and how
the Senators on the opposite side voted as
a unit against lis on measures of REFORM
and refused to take from the Governor
single one of the extraordinary
powers he exercised under the cleo
ton, registration, constabulary, print
ing and Metropolitan Police laws.
These Senators voted against the repeal or
modification of the election law. even after
his eXcellency had recommended it in his
message. but we all know this recommen-
tlatiou was made to incur popular favor.
He recommends the same thing in his
message at this session of the General AS
sembly. but we have no confidence in him
and his friends, and this was the cause OF
cur action in joining the opposition now
You did not even vote with us when we
asked the repeal of the OdiOus printing
law. which was expressing the people OF
the State with taxation, and enrlchlng a
few Adventures who had no interest or
sympathy with us.
Mr.. McMillen-Does the Senator refer to
NE as one of those who opposed the repeal
OF the printing bill!
Mr.. Blacknan-No, | AMI speaking gen
orally of the Senators on the other side.
admit that Senator McMillen acted with lis
then, and am the more surprised at seeing
him occupy the position he does to-day.
Mr.. McAIillen-I am with you this session
so far as the printing law is concerned.
Mr.. Blackman-Tne Democrats voted
unanimously for the repeal of these laws.
and We We're assisted by the Senator who
now occupies the chair (hir. Pinchback J.
although we find him working against us
this session. Circumstances change, and
aen with them. From the outset we were
driven. as a minority, first to one side and
then to the other. in order that we might
obtain for ourselves and our constituents
equal laws, and fair and lust representation
III the State government We knew we
could never obtain it without comblna'
ton with the reform Republicans. whose III
terest it was to have them repealed: We
knew the very existence of the State adj
l.lslistratior depended upon the perpetual
Ion and enforcement of these infamous
laws. by which his exccllency could manip-
uate the returns, and have them all pass
Through his fingers to his satisfaction
TO wonder he openly proclaims to the mem
Der. OF the Legislature that il they opposed
Kim now. they would never be returned to
their seats as elected. We are simply labor
ipn to reform all these abuses, and to grant
protection to all citizens, whether black or
white. Republican or Democrat. in the en-
iovment OF their constitutional rights. This
- the extent of the compact, and, ii success
full. it will put an end to the rel IN of fraud
and corruption and restore the government
20 its rightful sovereigns, the people.
The Doorkeeper here announced the
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Ray thought he should not be ad
uitted until the legal status of the House OF
Representatives had been determined 10y
the Senate.
The President ordered the Clerk to be
admitted.
Messrs Ray and Blackman protested.
Mr.. Blackinan, resuming-The argument
of the Senator from Orleans Mr.. Camp
bell went beyond the purview OF the reso
iution under consideration, and was evi
IDENTIFY intended for political effect. He is
eager to catch at anything which would
make it appear that the Democrats have
formed a coalition permanent WITH the
Custonhouse Republicans. as he expects
20 tel! the colored people that the Custom
house Republicans had sold them out to the
Democrats. and say to the Democrats OF the
country that their representatives have be
trayed them into the hands 81 the negroes
and Grant. Now what are the charges
against us! Simply that we saw proper to
out down in writing the objects we had Ill
view. in order that we might be able to JUS
+ify orr action when we returned to oul
constituents This is the agreement:
JANUARY r. 1872.
We, the undersigned State Senators
r,ledre ourselves in honor. each to the othefs
that we will. during the present session OF
the General Assembly, act as unit and
oil together on the different reform measure
which may he before the General Assemois
and particularly on the sub]ecis OF tht
amendment of the registration. eiectloh ano
constabulary laws, the general appr'opria
rion bill the revenue and license bill the
bill to provide for the assessment ana col
lection of the taxes. the bill defining th'
expenses OF the General Assembly, ana al
other bills reforming ant reducing the eA
penses of the State. and on all appropr,a
ton bills and funding bills, ana on th'
confirmation or rejection of nominations
Also. the printing bill, apportionment oiil
Metropolitan bill. militia bill. ana the al
rangrment of committees. and upon al
questions or bills affecting the best inter
e-t4 Of the e,plc.
ID A