New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-11
THE LEGISLATURE.

the last act OF the carter Legislature was
| performed ON that day over tie Gem"
| drinking saloon. But the farce of the
| Gem" in which Hon. George Washington
| Carter was the central figure, turned out.
| through his orders. to be terrible tragedy
on Canal street George had been per-
| mitted to run his course until he thought he
! was master of the position. And he ac-
cordingly issued his orders to his self-con-
stituted sergeants- alarms instructing them
to go in search of and capture a suf-
ficient number of legislators TO make his
Seem" of a Legislature have a majority of
the representatives of the State. So the
last act of the farce on Royal street re-
suited in a terrible tragedy on Canal street,
| in which the Hon. Walter i. Wheyland,
the member from Sabine parish, was cruelty
| assassinated.
This is the sad consequence of allowing
man like Carter to have even a short play.
His farce should have been cut short when
he showed q disposition TO sway unlawfully
the rod of empire, and then no harm would
have resulted. AS it is, his orders have re-
suited in the death of one man, and the i'm
prisonment Of two others who attempted to
obey his assumed authority. Nor has his
folly and base assumption of authority
ended here. He is now reported to be
fugitive from justice, with heavy reward
offered for his apprehension and delivery to
the civil authorities of this State. One thing
is sure. Neither him nor his adherents,
ance at his Gem of Legislature ON
Royal street yesterday. The Times
says: AT ten minutes to twelve
O'Clock, Mr.. Moncure, the Represent
alive from Caddo parish, attempted to gain
admission, but was met by Corporal Nc
Manus, who told him he could not go up
stairs. According to the Times, then, Mr..
Moncure is the only member who attempted
to gain admission to the Carter Legislature
on Royal street yesterday. He was left
alone in his glory when he said: but am
member of the Legislature" and was an
swered by Corporal MoManus, II am sorry,
sir but my orders are strict-to let no one
pass
While It is plain to see that the Gem
legislative farce has come to an end, it must
be confessed it is not so plain to see where
the master spirit of the farce has fled to.
Some cay he has taken refuge in the Gus
tOmhOuse, while others say he has fed to
parts unknown. In the language of the
great Father Richie We say. nouS rc,rons
We hope, indeed, I'VE shall see."
When we closed our report at Eve o'clock
on Tuesday evening OF that days proceed
ings of the Legislature, we confess we had
no idea that the madness and folly of
George Washington Carter would be per-
mtted to result in the death of single
human being. But we were mistaken. What
we supposed to be only farce has been
turned into tragedy, and we trust an end
has now been put to this mans chances for
doing mischief
Both branches OF the Legislature met in
the State House yesterday. The Senate
was called to order at twelve o'clock by
Lieutenant Governor Pinchback, seventeen
members answering to their names. Sen
ator Harris moved that all the assistant
sergeantsat arms but ten be dismissed from
President Pinchback expressed himself in
favor of the motion and 1t was carried.
A resolution was offered by Senator
Hunsaker relative to the death of the
late Representative Walter H. Wheyland
The Senator said he was ready to meet the
issue. This state Of things had gone far
enough He was in favor of calling upon
the Governor to call out the militia to put
down the riotous mob and maintain the
peace and dignity OF the State. lie wanted
the executive power eXerted for the arrest
of the murderers Of Mr.. Wheyland, and
their punishment secured. He had faith
in the Governor, and was in favor of a
resolution being passed by the House and
Senate asking him to call cut sufficient
force TO arrest the instigators OF
the murder Of Representative Wheyland,
and dispense their followers. The Senator
said that he had understood certain mem
bers of the Legis ature had been marked
out for assassination, and that he was
among them. He did not fear the mob
Let the Governor move in the matter, and
there would be good citizens enough to aid
in putting down mob violence. The Sen
ator concluded by saying he did not believe
President Grant could indorse the conduct
of George W. Carter and his House of Rep
resentatiyes.
Senator Lynch believed the Governor was
moving in the matter. He was preparing |
proclamation, offering a reward for the ap- |
prehension of George w. Carter, charged |
with the murder of Representative Whey |
land.
The House was called to order bv Speaker |
Brewster at eleven o'clock, and the Clerk |
ordered to call the roll. No quorum pres
ent. Shortly afterward the Clerk an
nounced fifty -three members present. On
motion, DR.. Worrall was requested to ad-
dress the House on the death of Representa-
tive Wheyland.
Mr. Barrett moved that when the House
adjourn it adjourn to attend tie funeral of
Wheyland.
e On motion of Mr.. Davidson, the House
took a recess until half-past twelve o'clock.
At halfpast twelve o'clock the Speaker
ordered the Clerk to cali the roll, who an
no quorum present At this time,
Tatman, who had been at
tending the Garter assembly on Royal
street, returned to his seat III the House of
and was warmly greeted
by members. At ten minutes to one
o'clock, the Clerk announced ffty-two