Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-14

The New Legislature Meets and
= Organizes

|
without Opposition from Any source
AUSTIN, Jan. 13.-Both branches of the
18th Legislature convened to-day without
opposition from Gov. Davis or the federal
authorities. The members of the Legisla-
ture, as agreed upon last night, quietly
walked up TO the Capitol and occupied
the respective assembly rOsmss at $50
the hall was well filed and large crowd
in the lobby. Hon. John Ireland was
elected President of the Senate pro TEN,
and made brief speech thanking them for
the honor conferred upon him, and trusting
that they would act with moderation and
firmness. On motion of Senator Dillon,
the rules Of the last Legislature governing
the action Of the Senate till otherwise Or
dered, committee of three was appointed
to act with like number of the House to
wait on Coy. Davis and notify him that
the 14th Legislature lYas organized and
ready TO receive any communication he
may have to make.
The House assembled at nine o'clock
and was called to order by the clerk OF the
late 18th Legislature. MIR. EppersOn nom
mated Hon. Guy NJ. Bryan, of Galveston,
for speaker, who was elected on the first
ballot by vote of %.
GALVESTON, Jan. ia Ne1rs special
| from Austin, says Judge Ireland in his adj
dress to the Senate says: We meet
Rnder peculiar circumstances. For 10 long
yaars-Trc an yrs,afIneu pOuPie,-haEa- been
struggling to establish a government Of our
choice, have yielded everything except
honor forthe sake of peace, and to-day,
though We have been chosen as representa-
| tives of the people by a majority of nearly
| fifty thousand, we find ourselves menaced
and embarrassed in the discharge of our
duties. Yet / seek not to arouse your pas
| sions. The occasion is one that calls for
| the exercise of cool, calm, deliberate judg-
| m-nt. Let us consider well our duty to
| the country and so shape our conduct that
we will command the approval of the
world.
| Davis Yields.
At o'clock the committee appointed to
wait on Gov. Davis reported they had COM
piled, and he would reply by O'Clock this
evening.
Meeting i'm Jefferson.
JEFFERsoS, Jan. ia large and en-
| thusiastie meeting Of people here this eve
ming adopted resolutions condemning par
usan decisions in election cases; condemn
ing Governor Davis for secretly applying
10 President Grant for troops at the State
Capital in time of profound peace; calling
on the Senate to recognize no nominations
of Davis unless sent in anew by Cooke;
earnestly thanking the President for his
reply to Davis on the application for troops,
and urging every member of the Legislature
TO do his duty with magnanimOus modera-
ton. but unquielding tirmness. President
Grants advice to Governor Davis caused
profound delight amongst all classes.
GOV. Davis Reply TO the Committee.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 13.-The GolreS-
ton Ne,rS has the following special:
dustin, Jan. 13.-EXECUTIvE OFFICE,
STATE OF TEXAS-Gentlemen: In reply TO
your verbal communication made 10 me
TODAY. have to state that | do not think
it advisable for the public gOOdthat lshould
disregardthe decision Oftl.e Supreme Court
made recently. touching the late election
by recognizing the gentlemen you represent
as being the cOnStitutiOnally elected l4il
Legislature. II seems to me that there
is some better solution Of the present diff
Guilty than that the Government and those
claiming to be the elected Legislature,
should Jointly combine to override the Ju.
dietary and disregard their construction o
4
course will leave the door open for danger
Gus uncertainty in the future, both in the
, matter Of authority to enact legislation
, that may be provided by the gentlemen yoJ
, | represent, and the matter Of construction
and existence Of the highest tribunal Of on
State. It is even now claimed by sOmt
: that the thirteenth Legislature is at presen
, the only legally exising Legislature, and
4 a
convene and provide for this emergency
1t will then, after a settlement is brOugh
5 about by a species of revolution or VIC
lence as against the court making the de
{ cision. Il IS true it is easy enough, AM
2 il seems the simplest solution of the pres
ent difficulty, that we shall jointly adop
' this course. as the Supreme Court has IL
1 way of enforcing its decision against th'
E Executive and Legislature combined; bu
| consider that in this case the easieS
course is now the one that | would like t
be party to. | viii be happy to join yO
G and the gentlemen you represent II
e applying the prOmptest and most feasible
remedy in this difficulty. IL has been re
pealedly held that the recognition Of Con
n gress or the Executive of the United State
/ will settle the question as to what body o
n men constitute the Legislature, and whic
: is the proper State Government. This wa
2 affords a solution to be accepted by all.
: am more free 20 act with independents
2 in securing with you or those gentleme
that sort Of solution, because l feel mySel
\ entirely disinterested. l accept the eleC
tion whether constitutional or not, as con
elusive against myself, and viii inn even
!. continue to exercise the functions of tn
: office hold beyond my constitutional teri
u of four years. Very respectfully,
FDNOND !. DAVIS, Governor.
To Hon. II. EppersOn and other gentle
y men Of the committee.