The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-01-22

dan.
As the Associated Press, in giving the
report of the sub Committee on Louis
lana affairs, failed to give the very in
teresting conclusion of that report, be-
cause it sustained General Sheridan, we
give it, as follows:
THE EVENTS OF JANUARY 4,
As to the proceeding on the 4th OF
January, about which the committee de-
sired statement, We now add that your
subcommittee, on the invitation of the
Democratic Conservative Committee Of
the State of Louisiana, visited the hall
of the House of Representatives. Mr..
Potter, refusing to 20 inside the bar, re-
mained outside, while Messrs. Foster
and Phelps were seated inside, and near
to the Speakers chair. Mr.. Potter re-
mained only until Wilt was elected
Speaker, and states nothing as to what
subsequently occurred. Mr.. Foster re-
mained, perhaps, an hour, and Mr..
Phelps remained about an hour longer,
until he learned that the military were
about to enter under Governor Kellogg 5
orders. The doings in the State House
on the 4th Of January, as seen by the
committee, or subsequently in evidence,
were substantially as follows. Attwelve
o'oclck, noon, William Vigers, the
clerk of the last House, called the As
sembly to order and proceeded to call
the roll of members as made up from
the returns of the Returning Board.
This roll contained the names of LOG
members, classed by Governor Kellogg
as ffty-three Republicans and fifty-three
Democrats. But it is claimed that one
of the Democrats not staying Demo
crat. The Republicans claimed that
one of their members, Mr.. A. G. Cousin,
had been kidnapped and forcibly taken
to distant parish to prevent his pres
ence at the organization of the House.
Your committee were about to investi-
gate this charge when the public session.
1t was claimed by the Democratic coun-
sci, that the arrest was under legal pro-
cess, and by the hands of the Sheriff.
1t was further claimed, and not denied,
that the privilege of his office did not
shield him from arrest The charge
was embezzlement. The full House
would contain Ill members, of which
fifty-six would be a quorum. On the
first call of the roll 102 answered to
their names. 1t is claimed by the Re
publicans, and, we believe, conceded by
the Democrats, that fifty of those an
swering to their names we're Democrats
and ifty-two were Republicans. The
instant the clerk finished the ll-call,
several members rose to their feet, but
the floor was successfully held by Mr..
Billieu, who said that he nominated L..
A. Wiltz as temporary chairman. The
clerk suggested that the legal motion
was to elect Speaker. Mr.. Billieu
himself, paying no attention to the
clerk, proceeded hurriedly to put his
own motion, which was received by loud
yeas and followed by loud nays, and de-
clared it carried. Mr.. Wiltz sprung in
ssantly toethe platform, took from the
clerk the gavel, was quickly sworn in
by Justice Houston, who followed him
to the platform, and then raped the
House, which during this time had been
in great confusion, into a temporary
chairman, administered the oath to the
members en- nlasse, who rose to receive
it. Some member made a motion to
elect Mr.. Trezevant clerk. Mr.. Wilt
put the motion, and declard it carried.
Trezevant at once came forward and took
and with the same haste, Mr.. Flood was
elected Sergeant-at Arms, and at once,
whether on motion or not, your COM
mittee do not remember, a number of
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms were ap-
pointed, who promptly appeared, wear
ing badges on which was printed Gas
sistant Sergeant-at- Arms" While the
above mentioned motions were being
put, members objected and called for
the yeas and nays, all of which was dis
regarded and pronounced out of order
by the acting Chairman. Colonel Lo-
well, a Republican, made point of or
der that the Constitution Of the State
allowed any two members to call for the
yeas and nays on any motion; but the
temporary chairman decided the point
not we'll taken until motion for per-
manent organization was made.
Next a motion to go into election for
a permanent organization was offered
and declared premature. Against this
ruling the Republicans protested. A
motion to seat the Democrats, alleged to
have becen elected in the four parishes,
whose election was referred to the Legis-
lature, was Immediately made and car
ried. During this stage there was much
disorder. The Republican members
protested, but their protests were disre-
garded. These gentlemen then appear
ed, and we're sworn in. A motion to ad-
journ was then put and declared lost
Mr.. Lowell, Republican, then moved
that the House proceed to permanent
organization and that the vote be taken
upon the roll of the Returning Board
This motion was declare lost, Mr.. Lowell
protesting. Mr.. Matthews Republican,
then nominated Mr. Lowell as tempor-
airy chairman, and put the motion against
great confusion and disorder, and declar-
ed it passed Mr.. Lowell declined to
serve. The Heuse then proceeded to elect
Il Speaker. The roll was called by Clerk
Trezevant, who reported 6fty-five votes
for Wiltz, two for Hahn, and one, Mr.
Wiltz's own, blank. This result was as-
certained by the clerk by simply keep.
ing tally of the members voting as
they answered TO their names. No roll
of members voting was kept, neither
were tellers ordered, or any such means
employed than calling roll to ascertain
the number voting. This vote includes
the FIVE members who had been sworn in
20 fill vacancies. During this roll-call,