The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-01-12

WAsu1Noros. January 9.-An effort
il ON foot. o-@have Kinds socceed
Healey a.. Msrshal Of the Middle Dis.
triot Of Alabama.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY Division
OF Missouri New ORLEANS. La. JAM
uary 8. 1875. To Hon. ". W. Belk.
nap, Secreta1y Of War, Washington, d.
c.: have the honor to submit the
following brief report OF affairs as they
occurred here in the organization Of
ths State Legislature on January 4,
1875. was not in command of this
military department until 8 O'Clock at
night on the 4th instant, but fully
endorse aud am willing to be held re-
sponsible for the acts of the military
ss conservators OF the public peace
upon that day. During the few days
iu which I was in the city prior to the
4th of January, the general topic Of
conversation Was che scenes of blood
SHED that were liable to ooour on that
day. and I repeatedly heard thxeats of
assassinating the Governor and regrets
expressed that he was not killed on the
l4th OF September last; alec threats of
the assassination OF Republican men,
befs Of the House in order to secure
the election OF Democratic Speaker
l also knew Of the kidnapping by the
banditti of Mr.. Cousinier, one of the
members elect OF the Legislature 10
order to preserve the peace and to
make the State House eafe for the
peaceable assembling of the Legisla-
ture, General Emory. upon the requi-
aition OF the Governor, stationed
troops in the vicinity Of the building.
Owing to these precautions, the Legis-
lAture assembled in the State House
without any disturbance of the public
peace. At IL O'Clock. William Vigers,
the Clerk Of the last House of Repre-
sentatives. proceeded to call the roll,
as according TO law he was empowered
t. do. lO2 legally returned members
answered to their names. OF this
number, 81 were Republicans aud 90
we're Democrats. Before entering the
House, Mr.. l.. A. Wiltz had been &C..
lected in caucus as the Democratic
nominee of Speaker and Mr.. Michael
Hahn as the Republican nominee.
Vieers bad not yet finished announc-
ing the result. when one of the mem
bers. Mr.. Biilican, Of Lafourche, no.
minated Mr.. l.. A. Wiltz for tempo.
rary Speaker. Vigers promptly de-
clared the motion out OF order at that
time. when some one put the question.
and amid the cheers OF the Democratic
side OF the House. Mr.. Witt dashed
on the rostrum. pushed aside Mr..
Vigers. and seized the Speakers chair
aud gavel aud declared himself Speak.
er. A protest against this arbitrary
and unlawful proceeding Was promptly
nude by tho members OF the majority,
but Wiltz paid no attention to these
protests; and upon motion from
some ono on the Democratic side of
the House. decla1ed one Trezevant
nominated and elected Clerk OF the
House. Mr.. Trezevsut at once spraug
forward and occupied the Clerks
chair. amidst the widest confusion
over the whole House. Wiitz then.
again, on another nomination from
the Democratic aide OF the House, de-
clared one Fioord elected Sergesnt.at-
Arms, and ordered that csrtain num-
bef Of assistants be appointed instant
y. A large number of men through
out the hall, who had been admitted
On various pretexts, suoh as reporters.
members' friends aud spectators,
turned down tho lappels of their coats.
upon which were pinned badges. on
which were printed, in gold letters,
the words ''Assistant Sergeant at
Arms" and the Assembly was In the
possession Of the minority. and the
White League of Lonisiana had made
good its threats Of seixtlg the House,
macy OF tho 'Assistans SSsgeants at
Arms beinG YELL known % osptaius
OF the White Isegna companies in
this city. Notwithstanding the sud.
denness Of this moyemeut, the lead
ing Republican pas mbers had NOT
failed to protSsta again and agsi n
against this rSSolltfonary action of
the minority. but Al 70 10 purpose.
and many of the Republicans rose and
left the House In . body, together with
the Clerk, Mr.. Vigers, who carried with
him the original roll Of tho House as re-
turned by the Secretary Of State. The
excitement was now very great. The
acting Speaker directed tho Sergeant.
s:-Arms to prevent the egress or in.
grsss Of members or Others, and seve-
raj exciting scufflss, 10 which knives
and pistols we're drawn. took place, and
for few moments il seemed that
b!oodshed would ensue. At this juno
ture Mr.. DuPree, Democratic mem.
| ber from the Parish of Orleans. rnovad