New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-29

very proper for him to make a motion to
elect new men to those offices, but it is not
necessary to make this sweeping motion to
go into a general election for every en-
ploye of the House. have no objection to
any motion, provided il is not a sweeping
motion.
Mr.. Paris, Of Orleans-f rise to point of
order. l think the House organized yestere
day.
The Speaker-The Chair so rules, that
under the motion made, they reelected
every body by reclamation.
Mr.. Demas-l made my motion, so far as
the officers of the House are concerned. SO
as to allow, a general election of chief en-.
rolling clerk. am not going into an elec.
ton for chief enrolling clerk unless 90 in
for doorkeeper and the rest.
Mr.. CARL want this position. because
think it is essential that l should have il.
can not get alO-g withouti.. That is why
want to 60 into a general election.
Laughter
Mr.. D-mas--1t is rot a motion. want the
Chair to understand. | want it to be re.
served that we shall go into an election at
some future day. hold That the House is
already organized as far as the officers were
concerned. ! withdraw my motion.
Mr. Demas, of ST. John tine Baptist. called
up the following resolution. introduced by
=
WHEREAS, L. T. Thompson and John
LaDgles, from the first ward. and David
Wilson and Emile Prerost. OF the second
ward, have been reported favoraO oily and
recommended to be seated: be it
lPeso!:ed, That they be sworn in and
seated aS the duly elected Represe natives
from the first and second wards Of the
parish of Orleans.
Mr.. Devezin. of Orleans--1 desire to ask
81 O. Ink,, 81,
whether the seats were contested.
Mr.. Demas-They vera not contested.
Mr.. Gair--Mr. Speaker, l would like TO
ask this question: Have tia names of their
opponents ever been placed before the
House.
The Speaker s.ppose that the gentle.
man who now holds the floor can give the
gentleman the desired information.
Mr.. Demas-When l Introduced the re.
solution offered a report of the Committee
on Elections and Qualifications, l took oc.
casion to ask the clerk to read the report,
but l was refused: they had these cases
under examination and have taken all the
evidence offered. which has been printed
and laid upon the desks of the members, ;ls
they said, do no: see the necessity of
reading the entire report of the committee.
Mr. Speaker, the repor. was adopted
and further action upon the seats OF the
members was postponed. There is but one
thing to do, and that is to call the members
in. They are entitled to their seats, as has
been shown by the committee appointed by
the Speaker of this House. That report Of
the committee has been adopted, every.
body voted for it, and don't think there is
any member opposed to their being
sworn in and taking their seats, the consti-
tuition of the State of Louisiana provides
for Them and their constituents, who are
crying here every day that they are unrep-
resented, have no one to look to their inter
est, and the men that are duly elected to
these honorable positions have been de-
prived of their seats on the floor OF this
house. think, sir, it is the determination
to do justice to every body-to do justice to
those who are unrepresented and have so
much taxes to pay, and have no one to look
to their interests. | don't think that there
is a member here who understands this
question that will vote against the seating
OF these members elect. We insist upon
their taking their seats in this House. Now,
ask that the members here examine this
case carefully; l ask the members to act
wisely in their course. | want them to re.
member well that they have to go before
their constituents, and they do not want
to 90 before them with such thing
as refusing the right to this people to be rep
resented. l think that the members here
understand this question thoroughly. When
the committee was appointed by this House
to examine into the case, they spent great
many days examining these contested cases,
taking down testimony, etc. They reported
to this House that these men should be
seated. They recommended that they be
sworn in and take their seats. The only
thing required now is that these members
be called in and sworn; if we do Justice to
ourselves and to the people who have elect
ed them, and we Can Say to them with a
clear conscience that we have done our duty
towards them.
The Speaker call the House to order
| wish the sergeant-at arms to restore or
der. l think that the gentleman now hold.
ing the floor had better conclude. as his
time is out.
Mr.. Murrell. of Madison-i hold that the
gentleman's time Is out.
Mr.. Demas continuing by consentt-1
want it understood that am not friend
of one gentleman more than the other. l
am friend of the people Of Louisiana. l
do not know these gentlemen; | would not
know them if | saw them. l know that
these people are unrepreseIted. that they
are entitled to be represented by the
laws of this State ami by the laws of
the United States. Now. Mr.. Speaker,
as am about to close. hope that the mo.
ton to adopt this resolution will prevail.
and think that every member will vote
for it, and will be prepared to go back to
his people and say that l have done one
good service out of many bad ones.
Mr.. Devezi, of the third ward-f do not
think any member will hesitate to seat these
members. do not want to consume the
time OF the House in debating upon this
subject. The case Is so plain that do not
see any nse of having an hour or so Of ar.
gument upon it. hope that every member
upon this floor will take it into considera-
ton themselves and will vote tor the Ses0-
luton whenever called upon.
Mr. Murreli. of Madison--o would like
this House to hear me on this subject. We
are not to be fooled in this way. You all
know. gentlemen, that last winter This same
question arose in this House. was present.
Now. gentlemen, il You read the testimony
of the Registrar, Mr.. Blanchard, who testi-
fed before the world that these gentlemen
were elected, you will find that he was the
man who had the ballots in his hands, and
he ought % know who was elected. am
astonished to see the House Of Representa-
tiyeS hesitate one moment on this question.
The report of Che committee has been
adopted, and the only thing that we have
got to do is just TO make , simple motion
for the gentlemen 60 come in and take the
oath. ! say. Mr.. Speaker. that ! do not
know one gentleman personally. ] know
them by reputation-by sight, have not
spoken to one OF those gentlemen on that
subject. But think that they arc entitled
10 their seats.
Mr.. Gair.-i do no: propose Go get up here
and make speeches and arguments, like
those gentlemen who have preceded me.
Here we have four names appearing on tho
roll. sir. as members of the House of Repre-.
;entatives. SO regarded by the legal returne
ng board of the State OF louisiana That
4, a prima facie evidence that these gentles
men have been elected But the only plea
" argument that is introduced here rs that
hese men are not present. There have been
40 sworn affidavits, there have been no
ha oh