New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-19

i Guo canvass VI Iuo tOtcS III LILO 11dll
of Representatives. The vote of Louisiana
at the last election was thrown out be-
| cause this very election from which Mr..
Kellogg claims to have derived his rights
| was void. The casting away of that vote
did not change the result, and therefore no
one cared about it; but if the result had
depended 1pOn counting or not counting
the vote OF Louisiana, we should have had
trouble such as no man can estimate. And
| it is now proposed to let things drift and to
| adjourn the question which we might
settle now when we are under no tempta.
ton to do anything wrong, to adjourn it
all and see what will turn up in the next
count of votes for President.
Mr.. Stewart hope we shall 60 on with
the OIL which is the regular order. un-
derstand the Senator from Wisconsin has
given notice that he will move to take I'D
mis- bill tomorrow morning.
The Presiding Oticer-This debate pro-
ceeds by unanimous consent
Mr.. Morton-A moment further
Mr.. Stewart-Very WELL
Mr.. Morton-I would say to the Senator
from Wisconsin that the danger through
which the nation has passed or NAV pass in
regard to counting the votes of Louisiana
or other States is not one that Congress can
remove by any action. That grows out of a
detect In the constitution OF the United
States which hope will some time be re-
moved.
But, Mr.. President, the chief disturbing
element now in the State of Louisiana is the
presence of this bill pending in the Senate.
l shall not resist the taking up of the bill:
but do hope that 1t will be disposed Of As
was stated by the Senator from Ohio, be.
ieve that the great body of the people of
all parties, l am sure the Republican party
OF Louisiana as body, and they are con.
coded to be in the majority in that State,
are acquescing fully in the Kellogg govern
ment. l believe l state what will hardly
be disputed when say that the best part
OF the Democratic party, that portion Of it
which represents wealth, industry and order
in Louisiana, are opposed to any action
being taken by Congress to set that govern
ment aside The government of Louisiana
is going on well; and If this bill is taken up
for discussion, | shall avail myself of the
opportunity to show what has been done by
the last Legislature of that State IN the
way OF reforms and to show that it has
been benefcent Legislature and that
Louisiana in her industries, in the value of
ner property, in her enterprise, is rapidly
reviving under the influence of the Kellogg
government.
Mr.. Carpenter-W.u my friend allow me
a question!
Mr.. MortOn-CertainIy.
Mr.. Carpenter-DOes he in speaking of
the beneticelt character of their legislation
refer to their attempt to repudiate the
State debt!
MIR. MortOn-I was not referring to what
is called the funding bill. If the question
comes up, the Legislature, the Governor,
the Chamber of Commerce, and the people
down there will be ready to speak for
themselves in regard to their debt; but
aside from that question they instituted
great reforms in the State of Louisiana,
hot thn or1
Congress would be reprobated by the
great body Of the people Of all parties. l
think no greater disaster could happen to
Louisiana, and no more fatal precedent
could be set for the future peace Of this ma
ton. than for Congress now to intervene |
and in time of profound peace set aside |
State government and order new election,
violate the constitution of the State of |
Louisiana, and impose upon Louisiana State |
officers and Legislature elected in defiance |
OF her own constitution and laws, for that |
is what this bill proposes to do. If it may |
be done IN Louisiana, it may be done in |
New York. in Wisconsin, in Indiana, any
where else, and from that time forward |
State governments become things of suffer |
ance, mere convenience and expedience, to
be set aside according to the passions of the |
hour or the interests of parties.
Mr.. Saulsbury-Mr. President. do not |
know that l. shall vote for the bill of the |
Senator from Wisconsin when il comes be-
fore the Senate, but think it is right that |
he should have the privilege of bringing
that question before the Senate whenever
he sees proper to do so. l concur with him
that no more important question can be
presented at the present sc ssiOn to Congress
than the question involved in the condition
OF affairs IN Louisiana. am surprised at
the enunciations of Senators on this floor
that there has been general acquiescence
on the part of the people of Louisiana in
the present condition of affairs in that
State. Why. sir, it is known to every SEN
ator on this floor that if the federal power
was withdrawn, if the troops of the United
States were removed from Louisiana and
proclamation made that the people of
Louisiana should settle this matter for |
themselves, the Kellogg government would
vanish out OF existence in less than one
month. The people Of Louisiana have pro.
tested against such proceedings in every |
way that it was possible for them to resort
to. They have been before the Committee
On Privileges and Elections at the present
session protesting; they have appealed to
the President OF the United States, but
have been turned away; and now are they
to be turned away from this hall of Con-
gress, Are we to spurn their appeals for re-
lief simply on the ground that because they
DO not resist the federal authority they are
to acquiesce in the present condi-
ion of affairs!
hope the bill will come up. and l say
20 the Senator from Ohio that while he may
consider that members of this Senate will be
lnder obligation to keep silence because the |
senate refuses to take this question up,
here are Senators here who are not willing
hat this matter shall sleep, but who are
determined that the iniquity of this thing
hall be exposed, even if it may be pre-
umed to violate the cOurtesies of the Sem
tie. know that there are gentlemen pre-
Jared to speak on this question. For my
elf. I have not expected or desired to dis
uss it. but when an attempt is made to pre-
Teht the question coming up 80 that discus
ion can be had. 1 feel for one, that the in
guilty Of this Louisiana affair is so great
hat if we were to keep silence the very
tones would cry out. do not know that
shall vote for the bill of the Senator from
Wisconsin when it comes before the Senate;
tut hope he may have the privilege of
ringing it here, that discussion may be
lad, that some measure for the relief of
hat downtrodden people may be brought
bout.
Mr.. Stewart think 1 must call for the
ocular order.
Mr.. West-I ask the Senator to allow me
word.
Mr.. Stewart-If one speaks another will.
Mr.. West-I have no desire at the present
me to intrude debate ON the Louisiana
uestion upon the Senate; but there have
cen some remarks INDUCED in by one or
wo Senators to-day which require at my 7
ands some replication.
The Senator from Wisconsin retorted I'D
n the Senator from Indiana by asking him
neither he thought the reputation of the {
ebt of Louisiana was a benefcent meas :
re- reply TO him that the reduction, the b
ealing, the compromising the debt of Louis
ma has been made at the request and sug- I
aaf of y,rOnipapt of tbo | =