Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-03-08
Louisiana Affairs.

The Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections submitted their several re-
ports on February 20. The report SUBJ
mitted by the majority was prepared by
MIR. Carpenter. This recommends that
the election held on November 4, be de-
clared to be null and void, and that the
State officers and Legislature who held
the positions at that time be reinstated.
The bill accompanying the report further
requires new election to be held for
State officers and members of the Legis-
lature on the second Tuesday in May, and
directs VIM. Il. Woods, United States
Circuit Judge for Louisiana, to proceed
to Louisiana and appoint two citizens of
different politics to be State registrars.
who shall cause new registration
to be made of the legally qualified voters
in the State, commencing March is, and
ending ten days prior to the date of cleo
ton. The President is empowered to en-
plOy military forces on application of the
Governor of the State or United States
Circuit Judge to carry out the provisions
OF this act, and 5000, 900 is appropriated
to defray the expenses of the registration
and election. This was signedby Messrs.
Carpenter, Logan, Anthony and Alcorn.
Senator MOrtOn's minority report con-
dennis Judge Durrell's order as usurpa-
ton of authority, but regards the decis-
ions of he Supreme Court of Louisiana
affecting the legality of the Lynch Board,
and recognizing the Kellogg Legislature,
as an authoritative settlement of the diff
Guilty. The conduct of Judge Durrell is
reviewed and severely censurcd. but it il
! claimed that that does not affect the ac-
tual status of parties and the legal rights
OF the Kellogg government. which has
been returned by the Lynch Returning
Board. The latter having been declared
legal by the Supreme Court of the State
of Louisiana, title which the highest le-
gal tribunal has declared to be good, is
not impaired by unlawful interference,
even by violence. i'm its support. The
Kellogg Government is fact, and its le-
gality is sustained by the judicial tribunals
of the State, and it is in active operation
in all its departments. without actual re-
sistance anywhere. The McEnery govern
ment exists only on paper, and all those
claiming office under it have never been
returned as elected by any person having
authority under the laws of Louisiana.
Mr. Trumbulrs report says that but for
unwarranted and illegal interference the
McEnery government and Legislature
would have been peacefully inaugurated,
and that there has been no decision of the
Supreme Court declaring the Kellogg
State Government and Legislature legal
i'm any case over which said court had jul
risdic:iOn to make such decision. The
sole trouble in Louisiana has grown out
of the illegal interference of the United
States authorities. civil and military, with
the internal affairs of the State. Mr.
Trumbull contends the Fusion State tick
ct was elected. according to the official
returns, by 10000 majority, and that 4
large majority of the chosen members OF
the Legislature were of the same party,
and says that the history of the world don't
furnish more palpable instance of usur.
patton than that by which Pinchback was
made Governor, and the persons returned
by the Lynch board to the Legislature Of
Louisiana.
Mr.. Trumbull then argues that McMil
Ian was legally chosen u. 5. Senator, and
that his by admission to seat, and the re.
cOgnitien of the McEnery Legislature as
the Legitimate Legislature OF the State,
the peace of Louisiana will be speedily
restored and effect given to the fairly ex.
pressed will of the peO ple.