New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-18
THE SPEAKER AND HIS RECORD.

, / FJDSdhSi l1otiIClL-' ~ 49, 49,
the eight transfugecs of the Legislature c
McEnery, who, in the session Of 1877
went to join the psendo Legislature he
| yoqists." In consequence Of the impute
influence Of Senator anderson to whom
the Bee applies some bad names-Ml
> Estilette vas ele cted to the Legislator
By the Conservatives and Republicans a
against White League competitor, o
perhaps without any opposition. This i
second case Of transfugery, and is, &C
cordirg to the Bee, political immoralit,
which virtually leads to the commission 0
the crime OF compromise. It is this habi
Of transfuging, which, beginning as with
boys with staying out at nights, and
creeping in at the window after every.
body has gone to sleep, creates hardened
indifference to family sentiment, which
may lead in after life into the penitenti-
airy, or some legislative body, as fate may
determine
Then the Bee pursues this transfugee
| 2ulO tlt ,IOliSt Va ltOt-rSCAlt@ti'So ~ AS''s
where be voted for the resolution never
to return to the Legislature except with
Mr.. Witt as Speaker, and the House as
it was adjourned on the fourth Of }anu-
airy. This last o1fanse Of Mr.. Estilette
and his friends vas that they committed
transfugery by deserting their own flag,
and voted with the mass Of Radicals.
Now, those who in the french coun-
try would be called 'transfugees," are
in Republican country regarded
as men who represent the wishes OF a
constituency. Mr. Estilette chose to
enter the Legislature Of 1874. Himself and
companions were denounced by the White
Leaguers for so doing. He, however,
returned to his constituents, and was by
majority Of them reelected to the Legis-
!ature, Notwithstanding the commina-
ton, CT Office of denunciation and pun
ishment appointed by the White League
liturgy, and intoned by Messrs. McEnery
and Booth at the Clay Statue and in ell
the League clubs OF the city, against the
false worshipers of peace.
The constituents Of Mr.. Estilette, like
the friends of Martin luther, were not at
all appalled, by the thunders of the League
Vatican, and sent him back unshriyen
and unane aled into the Legislature of
1875 There every White Lacquer shook
hands with him cordially, and Mr.. Es-
tilette got along very well until the days
Of compromise. Ee is reproached by the
Bee for having pledged himself ''never to
shave his beard till the Hing should enjoy
his own again, as the old royalists of
England swore in regard to Charles AS
impartial historians We really think that
this ofense should be condoned since Afr.
Istilette did nothing more than Mr. Ex-
Mayor Witt himself did. It can not
have been forgotten that the protest Of
Nh. Wilt and about twenty seven others |
wes appended as O part Of the COM
promise, and il these gentlemen |
found themselves afterward sitting in the |
Legislature under compromise which |
they denounced as illegal on principle,
We can only see one way in which the de-
nunciation OF Mr.. Estilette for having
done the same thing can be justified
That way is, that there IS a body Of gen
tlemen 50 exalted il intellect, position
and character above al others, that they
may, with impunity and eTen with honor,
vote for Greeley, Warmoth, or for any
nan Or measure which may please them;
out that if men of more humble position
md pretensions exercise similar discre-
ion, they are denounced and excluded |
rom all party associations. We he'd
lways supposed that Benedict had
an excuse for al those hasty |
politicians who commit themselves in |
aste and repent at leisare. He is re-
orted TO have said When | did swear
ever 10 marry did expect to die q
achelor
The charge that Mr.. Estilette ana his
'iend5 have deserted their flag and voted | I
ith the mass of Radicals, when explained,
leans this Mr.. Istilette has been elected | /.
} office by the vote Of Republicans in
art. According TO his censors, his
lends should not have voted for him If =,
~ Republicans did Sc. This rule, il
infexible application, would suit the t
epublicans very well, since they need | /
lly detail! o few Radicals to vote for q '
Democratic candidate when |
> friends would be compelled to drop f
IL because Of the taunt OF Radical asso- Y
ates +
Tho next otfenee Of SIr. Estilette was h
at himself and friends refused to par n
,ipate in or to be bound by the vote Of II
e Consecutive caucus. which indicated / D
preference for Mr.. Wilt. We leave to IL
r. Lstiletto the justification Of this re- | ii
sal 1t would seem that the same gen G;
men who opposed and, with Mr.. fo
iltz, protested against the compromise, n
&c willing to make Mr.. Wilt Speaker 20
the compromise House, and would in
doubtless have refused committees al
der him. Il assuredly comes with q 81
grace from gentlemen who refused in
.msslvos TO be bound by the vote of ii.
Conservative caucus in favor Of the vi
npromiae, TO complain that any other pc
lnber Of the same caucus should re- II
e to be bound by its nominations th
is, however, has been explained by tx
theory stated. W.