New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-11
to adjourn was made and the Senate sd-
journed until to-day at l2 n.


journed until to-day at l2 N.
House.
! A great deal OF business was 90: through
with in tho House yesterday without dis
cussion. the time being principally occupied
with the report of the Judiciary Committee
which, through ito chairman, returned q
large number of bills to the House.
The resolution of Mr.. Demas fndorsing
Judge Durell was called up by him, and the
Speaker announced tha. MIR. Hahn. Of St.
Charles had the floor on it.
Mr.. Hahn said: The resolution as pre-.
sented to the House is apparently friendly
One but it is not calculated to do much
good. do not think Judge Durell has any
knowledge of it, or knows the particular
phraseology in which it is put. To me, it
seems to place this Legislature in an ex.
tremely ridiculous position. The resolution
party in Congress have assailed the character
Of Judge Durell. Suppose they have, how
does it concern this Legislature! 1t is ono
of the greatest privileges of Republican
office holder 10 be assailed by Democrats
it is one OF the glorious privileges of a re-
publican country. AL! know that Judge
Durell is a Repu olican, and it is the nature
and character Of all Democrats to assail Re-
publicans IN Office; and this Legislature
might be the most wise, yirtuOus and pure
delberative body that ever enacted laws for
the country, and it would never get word
of praise from . Democrat. Judge Durell
does not need whitewashinS from lis. Ii
charges are made against bis judicial con-
duct In proper manner they will be in-
vestigated and examined by an impartial
body OF men and sifted TO the bottom with
out any aid of resolutions from this body.
The passage of q resolution under such cir
cumstances is simply ridiculous. When
Warmoth attempted to cheat this Legisla-
ture out of its nights, 1t WAS Judge Durell
who, by obeying his oath and justly admin
isterlng the law. defea ed him. This LIE gs-
lature owes its existence to his upright and
honest course, and it is not dignitiet nor
proper measure to make a party issue
On a purely judicial action. What effect
would it have! The Louisiana case
was question of law and Judge DurelHs
decision was his opinion on it. Pass this
resolution and no Senator or Representative
in Congress will pay any attention to it.
He is not before Congress, If he is there at
all, on his decision in tho Louisiana case.
Other charges have been trumped up Of an
entirely different nature, and OF nature
that this resolution does not consider at all.
No doubt if Judge Durel's decision IN the
Louisiana ease had been the opposite to
what it was, he would have made enemies
in the Republican ranks. But that
decision, no matter which way it had gone,
was a matter of opinion on a question
of law which he was bound to decide,
and in expressing it he is liable to no
charge, and subject to no attack which need
be repeled.
As to the charges which are before Con.
gress, that body Will pass upon them. and
will be influenced by nothing that does not
directly concern them. l will say that
am the best friend Judge Durell has on the
floor of tkis House; it was | that made him
judge, for was the first man who men
toned his name to President Lincoln as the
best man for the position. And have
never regretted my action. Ue may have
made mistakes; We are all liable TO err.
But to day no Judge in Louisiana stands as
high as he. This resolution hellttles him.
He does not need it. What should he care
what the Democratic politicians say. This
Legislature owes him too great a debt OF
gratitude to belittle him by the passage o:
bers of Congress to whom this resolution i.
directed hold their seats in consequence of
his decision. ami 1t Is an insult to them TO
present such a resolution. They know their
position. they know the will 0i the people.
and they know how to act.
Mr.. Demas said thers was no better
friend of Judge Dureli on the floor of the
House than himself. and he considered all
members who were Republicans. and not
weak kneed. should vote tor the resolution.
He did not ask nor expect Democrats to
vote for it. but all Republicans ought to
Mr.. Young. of CoEcordia. said it was not
;phf "a nc
with being weak-kneei because he did not
choose to support a certain resolution. 1t
was not proper for this Legislature to vote
for such u resolution. The members are
now receiving all the emoluments OF office
on the action of Judge Durell,
and vote from them on it would not be
with The respect that an honest
Tote would be entitled to.
MI. Davidson cuiogized the action Of
Judge Durell, and said it was all the more
because of the tremen dous
pressure that was brought against him to |
orce him to act illegally. The resolution |
vas not strong enough. 1t should put the |
ssue fairer aud sluarer before the House. !
Mr.. Benham strongly indorsed the con.
'uct of Judge Durell and detailed the his
ory of the Louisiana case and the cause af
he present opposition to the Judge.
Ir. Murreil, of Madison. said that Judge
)urel! had given life to the Republican
arty. and its members were bound in honor
D supp ort him.
The resolution was finally referred to the
Committee on Judiciary.
Mr.. Mathews, Of Tensas. chairman OF the
committee on Railroads, reported favorably
n the bill authorizing the New Orleans,
lObile and Texas Railroad to sol the west
IN division of their road.
Mr.. Murrell, of Madison. opposed the bill
one calculated to do great injury to the
est interests of the road. The parties man
ging the road now did not obey the provis-
ms of their charter, which forbade distino-
on on account Of race, color or previous
ondition. Every one who had ever travel
on the road knew such distinctions were
ade. This bill permitted the transfer of
le road, and made no provision for enforc-
g the contracts the parties who held it at
resent were obliged by law to fulfill. The
obligations of the road would be |
,nihilated by this measure. and it copld
,ver have his vote. |,
Mr. Young, of Concordia, said the bill
as new to him. and he wanted time to {
nsider it. Perhaps all the House except
mself and the gentleman from Madison
,derstood it, but so important measure
ght not to be passed precipitately.
Mr.. Bryant, of East Baton Rouge, pp-
sed the bill. The company had not
implied with their charter. Colored ladies
q Z har ei4 IL | I