New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-11
THE LOUISIANA CONTEST AT WASH
INGTON.

WASHINGTON, December 5, 1878.
EDITOR REPUBLICANs
The committee sent on TO advocate the
admission of the Republican members and
Senator. arrived early Monday morning.
1t began work at once, and have been bus1ly
engaged ever since. They had almost as
sured a victory before the sole member Of
that committee to represent ancient re-
spectability chosen by the late Democratic
convention had arrived. Mr.. Billings and
Judge Dibble at once saw several of the
leading men on the Republican side and
then prepared brief, which has been sub
| mitted to the members of the Senate. The
committee has had frequent meetings and
has interviewed great number of mem
bers and Senators. 1t was received cor
daily, and found that deep interest was
taken in the case.
Your readers have had full account of
the struggle and victory in the House. Yhe
most interesting feature was the action
taken in seating MIR. Smith. It is consid-
cred here that in doing so the House une
quivocally recognized the government of
Governor Kellogg. Whatever contest may
| now take place between the seated members
and the contrasting Democrats can have
reference only to district'elections and will
in no way affect the State election. Lead.
ing men in the government say that the
sooner the people recognize the fact Chat
the Republican administration of Louisiana
will be sustained during its term the better
it will be for the prospects of that State.
The controversy in the House was in
tense!y interesting, and at the same time
had several ludlcrous features. l think the
most ludicrous feature was the distn-
guished statesman from the fourth con-
gressional district, Mr.. E. c. Davidson.
How he did strut up and down the floor of
the House with his thumbs in the armpits
of white waistcOat lin mid winter.) He
announced that he believed he had some
rights as well as Others, for, said be, Il am
quasi member" And so he was, and so he
will ever be, but no more. He seemed to
take profound interest in tha manner in
which Messrs. Sheldon and Sypher were
sworn in; he was not much affected By the
result because that wasn't his case; he took
notes. The next day he handed Sunset Cox
a resolution Internationally seating him,
E. c. Davidson, member, etc. Up to this
point the Republicans had hesitated about
offering Smiths credentials, for they saw
that it would force the question of the re-
cognition of Governor Kellogg. 1t was a
difficult issue, but not too difficult for the
great Democratic statesman, Davidson, to
solve. He cut the gordian knot, and Mr..
Smith was seated on quiet motion to
strike out and substitute. And Davidson
was the laughing stock Of the Capitol But
he has been noticed far more than if he had
obtained his seat. Let him be content.
'Look at this committee" said the Plea
game. rolling several sweet and sonorous
names under its editorial tongue. 'look at
these statesmen, representatives. of the rec
spectability and virtue of this commono
wealth. And now look on the other side
Dibble, Burch, Billings" and the very paper
and ink of the peoples organ" seemed to
sneer as they uttered these names.
There was only one Of that great commit
tee who came. 1t was sad sight to see
him walking about quite neglected and de-
jected before Congress met that day, and
then TO see him SO lonely and dispirited,
watching from the gallery the fast fading
hopes of Democratic Office holding in Lou
isiana.
Scene IN the House cloak room. Present,
Democratic committeeman and the po,ty and
afdble Democratic claimant from First Dis
tract:
Democratic commtteeman-Well, it
seems that they have seated your opponent
on a prima tacie case. Speech accom-
panied with lugubrous SMILEY
Democratic claimant:In jolly. ener
getic way)-Prima tacie prima facie By
Jove, sir, its final. VIII never get those |
fellows out of their seats.
Democratic committeeman pulls his hat |
over his eyes and walks off with a still |
more mournful look
The credentials of Senator Pinchback |
were referred to the Committee on Flee |
tons. which will meet tomorrow. 1t is ex-
pected that they will make a report next |
week. will not hazard any opinion as TO |
the complexion of the report. That the |
Republican government in the State, how
ever, will be fully sustained l have not the
slightest doubt.
1t is expected that Attorney General
Williams will be confirmed as Chief Justice
and will take his seat within q few days
Mr. Williams is a warm friend Ss the Re-
publican cause in your State
The meetings of the Louisiana Republi-
cans in committee have been pleasant; but
one slight incident occurring TO mar the
perfect harmony of expression and purpose.
1t was reported that member, in convers-
ng with congressman, had slightly de-
parted from the truth Ia white lie, it is
true, but still falsehood). The committee
,eprimanded the gentleman severely, and
solemnly resolved, after full discussion,
that if they could not succeed by telling
the exact and unvarnished truth, they must
fail.
will write again. MILO. !