The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-03-15
MIR. Harris Statement.

We extract from the proceedings of
the Fusion Legislature Of the 5th inst,
the following remarks Of Mr.. Harris,
a member Of the House:
Mr.. Harris-Mr. Speaker, [ rise to a
question Of privilege. Mr.. Speaker,
there is no position that I so much de-
precate as the one that cOmpels me to
rise to a matter of Observation-Disclosures.
But | rise now not SO much for the
purpose of explanation as for the pur-
pose OF denying directly and absolutely
the imputatiOn cast upon the gentleman
from the parish of De Soto (Mr. Elam)
and myself.
In his communication in the Picayune
OF this morning some member OF the
Legislature, untrue to his pledge as Il
representative and false to his
faith and honor as a man, has not only
disclosed the proceedings Of Il secret
caucus; but he has so misstated and
misrepresented the statements made in
on the people as to the position of the
gentleman from De Soto and myself.
Sir, the resolution under discussion in
caucus vas one looking to the maintcn-
ance Of the McEnery Government, and
this Legislature, after the adjournment
Of this body, and I was unwilling to
stultify myself by that action, because
the same caucus had by resolutions
passed unanimously before agreed to a
compromise with the Kellogg Govern
lnent, by which they recognized KEEL
lOgg as Governor. 1t was merely ::
question Of more u less time with us.
In caucus the day previous we had unan-
mOlSlY adopted q compromise which
demanded nor from the Kellogg GOV
eminent than a proposed by the KEEL
log Government in the discussion yes
terday.
Sir, it is we'll known that | advocated
the acceptance of the terms, because
there was nothing better to be done,
and | was unwilling that the members
should 90 home to their constituents
after having made a perfect failure
after, Sir, we have found the Kellogg
Government recognized by the Supreme
Court, by the district judges, by the mi
itia OF the State-aye, sir, by the city
of New Orleans, through its constituted
authorities, the Mayor and Administra-
tors, | show the members of the Kel-
logg government was recognized in
this city by every officer, from the May
or Of the city down to the lowest police
OIuCcI dIlO CUIlSUdDlt,d IIl LIltlL, 100 NIII-
out any complaint Or condemnation OF
the citizens Of the city.
Mr.. Mechanically what authority
does the gentleman make the statement
that no citizen condemns the City Adj,
ministration for its recognition of the
Kellogg Government?
Mr.. Harris-As far as Ihave seen pub.
lished, they have not. I will answer
the gentleman. It has been intimateC
to me that the Mayor and Administra.
tors have recognized the validity anC
legalityO Of that Government by the adj.
vice of the Committee Of Two Hun.
dred. Now, gentlemen, if that be the
case, | was willing to admit the exis,
tence Of the Kellogg Government to thi;
extent: to negotiate with them upon
terms of compromise. I was not viii
ling, nOr was the member from DeSOtO
to accept the terms as explained in thij
article in the Picayune; but we werC
willing to enter into negotiations on tn,
basis of the members returned by bOtl
both boards and seventeen others. Tha
was the position Of Mr.. Elan an(
others.