New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-01
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.


Speer, Smith and McGrary present.
MIR. MOncures testimony related to th'
combination between the Democrats ant
Republicans Of the House with the Objec
Of carrying out reforms in well known
laws. The repeal of these laws, or whole
sale amendment, the witness believed was
due to his constituents. The Democrats
had met, on their arrival, a Republican
party Of the Legislature ready formed fol
their views, and the combination was made
with the single view, according to Mr.
MOncure. of working out these reforms. The
witness also described the provisions of the
laws which required repeal and amend
ment; stated the expense of the printing
and police laws, with other illustrations.
| As an evidence of the maladministration
of the election law, he stated that in his
parish, the parish of Caddo, in which there
| divides the parish into two parts; on the
| smaller portion are 700 or 800 voters, and
that at the last election the registrar of the
| parish did not establish an Office in the
smaller district, and in consequence some
700 or 800 citizens did not vote. because of
the Inconvenience to get to the polls.
At first there was some disposition to im-
peach the Governor if he opposed the
proper reform measures: and If he had
thrown himself in the breach" the Demo
Gratis would have impeached him had they
the power. The witness then elaborated
bo IF ha no
selection of Speaker not being lost sight of,
and the testimony of the preceding wit
ness was corr0bOraled. In his allusiOn to
the motion put by Mr.. Carr to declare va
cant the Speakers chair and the subse
guent proceedings, of which mention has
been made on many former occasions, Mr..
MOncure was Of the opinion it was riOtous
demonstration, with the sole object of
getting possession of the Speakers chair.
General Emory was called upon as the
next witness. The old soldier made good
impression upon the attendance on the conf
mittee, both in his bearing and in the care
fulness of his testimony delivered, in which
lie was aided by memoranda, that he, as
occasion required. read in answer to ques-
tions by the members.
The history of the arrival Of the troo ps in
this city, and the manner of deploying them
until the elimination of bOstiities in the
proclamation of Mr. Carter, was systemat-
ically detailed, with the memoranda for a
guide. The General had no opinion to give
about the relative merits of the legislative
combat, and mentioned the details only as
they were necessary to bring out the truth.
His purpose was to prevent a riot or dis
turbance under any circumstances. He had
been requested by Governor Warmoth. in
view of an impending disturbance, to bring
his troops near at hand, with the object of
preventing the same. This was on the fifth
of January He had ordered them to be ad
jacent to the Mechanics Institute, as that
was the executive building. and the point
of attack in case any was contemplated
He had apprehended disturbance, aud WAS
determined to prevent it. Though his men
had arms and the arms loaded when they
were first drawn up near the executive
building. he had no idea that there would
be any necessity to fire, but he had con-
cluded to fire if occasion required it.
He had not advised Colonel Carter to
meet at the Gem saloOn-never. He might
have said he thought it likely. You say
you have majority, why not meet in some
other place." He did not recollect holding
any special communication with Colonel
Carter on this subject; nor had he suggested
what should be done; nor did he assist the
militia or give support to the police in
serving the Carter Legislature with the
writs from court. He had been requested
by Governor Warmoth to support the police
while they made arrests of the Carter men.
but declined it. On the day when the
writs were served, and when riot was APP
pretended, he had drawn up his troops in
line on Canal street, adjacent to the place
of meeting. Finding out that it was in
tended to make arrests on the part of the
the forces would be construed into giving a
support to the State authorities, he had
them Immediately Withdrawn. Nor Lad he
at any time given any aid, countenance or
support to either of the combatants. He |
had managed his forces so that riot would |
be prevented. He had several times been |
notified by the Governor that disturbance |
was imminent. and had used the forces to |
prevent it.
The General had never seen at any time |
the slightest intention on the part of the |
citizens to array themselves against the |
United States government. The mere sight |
)f the soldiers was sufficient in itself to
Iuel any rising turbulence. No manifesto
ion against the United States was made.
The troops had been moved here and there
Is, in his Judgment, the best disposal of
hem to carry out the object of moving the
roops at all. The Governor had requested
It one time an audience with him at the
Mechanics Institute, which he had declined;
he Governor stated as his reason it was
lot expedient for him to leave the build
ng. General Longstreet had called on him
It his headquarters, and represented the
Governor. He had made no threats against
he Carter party; the cause of the cOntro.
'ersy was none of his business He was
'Ound to take notice of requisitioD of
he Governor of State for troops when. as
lad been asserted, the State government
vas in danger of being subyerted by vio-
ence at the hands of mob. The rcquisi
ion had been made several times. and had
lways bceh met. He had kept the War
)fiice notified of every movement by re-
orts, whereof he showed copies
The ",'grape and canister" matter. as