The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1873-02-15
Senegalnbian Ganbols.

Picayune of the 5th inst, takes off an
incident in the proceedings of the Ba-
yonet Legislature on the 4th, as fol-
lows;
Upon the calling up in the Senate of
the Bayonet Legislature yesterday, of
the "Act for the relief of the State prin-
ter" setting apart $40, 900 for the print
ing done at the extra session of 1872,
there occurred such q commotion as af
forded vigorous premonitory symptoms
of a more than usually strong picture
of a colored Bedlam.
Harris called for the final reading Of
the bill as the special order of the day,
and on that, called for the previous
question.
The next half hour was consumed by
Senators Harris, Anderson, Burch and
Barber in a spirited debate touching
the parliamentary usage governing the
hight of the Senator to insist on the
main question.
When the turmoil had spent itself,
Senator Stamps arose to point of Or
der, stating that lie objected to the
votes of certain Senators for the reason
they had a pecuniary interest in the
passage of the bill, being stockholders
in the N. O. Printing Co. He alluded
to Senator Ingraham as having few
hours before stated that he held five
shares of stock in the company. Mr..
Stamps said that if given "a hours time
he would prove oil he said concerning
the Senators.
At this Senator Ingraham arose, and
denied, in fierce terms, that he was in
terested five cents, worth in the Repub-
lican.
The Chair held that the point of order
was not properly taken, and that the
question was nothing but one of veraci-
ty among the Senators.
At this point, Senator Anderson
called loudly for an executive session.
Being ruled out of order, he moved to
adjourn. This motion, too, was ruled
out of order. Amid the voices of Sen
ator Harris calling for the main ques-
ton, and other Senators rising to
points of order," Mr.. Anderson cried
out that he appealed from the decision
of the Chair, and proceeding to explain
why he had right to appeal, the Chair
ordered the roll to be called, which was
accordingly done, Mr.. Anderson still
objecting, and refusing to vote when
his name was called. Before the vote
was completed Anderson, noting that
the Senate refused to excuse several
Senators from voting. left his seat and
took place in the lobby. This move
was greeted with loud outlaws from the
senatorial lungs, which was evidently
not to the taste of Mr.. Burch, who cried
out: "If such conduct is to lie permit
ted, move we adjourn to Odd Fellows
Hall; we are not far from there now"
The calling of the roll being COM
pleted showed l3 yeas and nays-no
quorum voting.
The Sergeant-at-Arm was dispatch
ed after absent members, but not re-
turning within ten minutes, Mr.. Harris
referring the Chair to rule 63, moved
that there be ordered call of the house,
and that members absent without suf-
ficient cause be brought before the bar
Of the Senate for reproval. The roll
was called, and nineteen Senators ans
Wered.
Anderson having resumed his Sena-
torial seat. moved loudly to adjourn
until Wednesday.
Harris contended that a motion to
adjourn was ont of order, because the
vote on the main question had not been
completed. Then ensued running
debate between half dozen members,
each of whom had different ideas to
ventilate, and all of whom insisted on
speaking at once. Antoine looked 80
helpless that even the persistent raps
of his gavel seemed to breathe utter
despair and encouragement. Amid the
din the Chair attempted to put the
question of adjournment, but was inter
rupted by Harris, who insisted as a
point of order that the vote not having
been announced, the motion to adjourn
could not be put. The Chair, with its
usual difference for any sentiments
emanating from "the Senator from Con
cordia," held that the point was well
taken.
This was the signal for renewed ar.
gnments, in which Harris, Ingraham
and Anderson were particularly active
TO the accompaniment of Anderson's
gentle voice, breathing forth muttered
thunders, the Clerk called the roll for Q
vote on the passage of the bill.
The result was announced az IA yeas
to 5 nays, although the noise made by
the half dozen blatant Senators was sc
great that the Clerks voice could hard
" be heard.
Harris moved that the title remain
as written.
Anderson was quickly afer him with
an objection. He moved to strike out
the enacting clause.
Harris got red in the face, and hoped
that the Chair would either put his
question, or vacate the place for some
! one who would.
OF course Antoine was too helpless
to gainsay anything desired by the
Senator from Concordia, and putting
the question declared it carried, despite
Anderson's continuous motions to ad-
jonrn, declarations that hs protested
against the whole thing, and the giving
of notice that he would cause his pro.
/ test to be entered on the journal.
Before the Senator had thoroughly
cooled down, the Senate went into exc.
cutive session.
! ~ The indications are that the Lou.
isiana Investigating Committee viii
conclude their labors by declaring Ii
favor of the Legal Government of Lon
/ isiana. The only danger seems to res
! In the probability that they may agree
upon some compromise, such as tn,