The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-01-11
sheridan's Statement.

To Hon. ". ". Betknap, .Sec'y Of W. ar
Washington, d. c.:
| have honor to submit the following
brief report OF affairs as they occurred
here in the organization of the State
Legislature, January 4th, 1875. L was
not in command of this military depart
ment until nine o'clock at night on the
4th inst. / fully endorsed and am
willing to be held responsible for acts
of the military as ccnseryators OF the
public peace upon that day and during
the few days which | was in the city;
Prior to the 4th of January, the general
toplc of conversation was the scenes OF,
bloodshed that were liable to occur on
that day, and repeatedly heard threats
of assassinating the Governor and re-
grets were expressed that he was not
killed on the l4th of September last,
Also threats of assassination of the Re
publican members of the House in order
to secure the election of Democratic
speaker, | also know of kidnapping by
banditt of Mr.. Cousin, one member
elect, Of the Legislature. In order to pre-
serve and make the State Hous' safe for
the possible assembling Of the Legisla-
ture. General Emory upon the sugeo-
ton of the Governor stationed
troops in the vicinity Of the
building. Adding to these precautions
he ordered a certain number of assist
ants to be appointed. Instantly large
number of men throughout the hall, who
had been admitted on various pretexts,
such As reporters, and members, friends
and spectators, turned down the lapels OF
their coats, upon which were
blue ribbon badges, on which were print
ed IN gold letters the words, assistant
Sergcant-ut-Arms, and the Assembly
was in the possession Of the minority,
and the White League of Louisiana had
made good IL threat OF seizing the House.
Many OF the Assistant Sergeant-at-Arlns
being well known as Captains of the
White League companies in this city.
Notwithstanding the suddenncss Of this
movement the leading Republican mem
bcr> had not failed to protest again and
again against this revolutionary action of
the minority, but all to no purpose.
Many of the Republicans rose and left
the house in body, together with Clerk
NigorS, who carried with him the orlgi-
nal roll of the House, rs returned by the
Secretary of State. The excitement was
now very great, and the Acting Speaker
directed the Sergcant-at- to prevent
the egress or IngreSs of the members or
others, and several exciting scuffles, in
which knives and pistols were
drawn. took place, and for a
few moments it seemed rs if blood
she'd would ensuc. At this juncture
Dupre. II Democratic member from Or
leans parish, moved that the military
power of the general government be in
vollcd to to sreserv" peace, and that q
committee be appointed to wait on Gen.
DeTrobiand, the commanding officer OF
the United States forces stationed at the
State House, and request his assistance in
clearing the lobby. The motion was
adopted.
A committee of five, of which Dupre
was made chairman, was sent to wait
upon Gen. DeTrobriand, and soon re-
turned with that officer, who was accom-
panied by two of his staff officers. As
Gen. DeTrobriand walked down to the
Speakers desk. loud applause burst from
the Democratic side of the House. Gen.
Beforehand asked the Acting Speaker If
il was not possible for him to preserve
order without appealing to him to pre-
serve order. rs United States army
officer. Mr. Wilt said it was not. There
upon, the General proceeded to the lobby,
and addressing II few words to the excited
crowd. poace was at once restored.
On motion of Mr.. Dupre, Mr.. Wilt
then. in the name of the General Assem-
blv of the State of Louisiana, thanked
Gen. DcTrobriand for his interference in
behalf of law and order, and the General
withdrew.
The Republicans had now gen
orally withdrawn from the hall,
and united in signing pc
tition to the Governor, stating
their grievances, and asking his aid,
which petition, signed by tiny-two
lc-ally returned members of the House,
is in my possession. Immediately subsc-
quent to the action of Wilt in ejccting
the Clerk of the old House, Billien moved
that two gentlemen from the Parish of
De Soto one from Winn, one from Bien-
willie. and one frcm Iberia, who had not
been returned by the Returning Board,
be sworn in "a members, and they were
sworn in by Witt, and took their seats
on the floor rs members of the House. n
motion was now made that the House
proceed with its permanent organization,
and according t. the roll called by Tree
want, Acting Clerk, Wjltz WAS declared
Speaker and Trezevant Clerk of the
House.
Acting ON protest made by major
itv of the House, the Governor now re-
quc-tcd the Commanding General of the
Department to aid in restoring oder, and
enable the legally returned members of
the House to proceed with its organizu-
ton according to law. This request WAS
reasonable and in accordance with law
Remembering vividly the terrible mas
sacrcS that took place in this city on the
assembling of the Constitutional Conven.
tlpN IN ISDb 1T lIlc -hfCHdlllt : IHNtilutc'
and believing that the lives Of mem
bers of the Legislature were or
would be endangered in case
an organization under the law
was attempted, the posse was furnished
with the request that care should be
taken that no member of the Legislature
returned by the Returning Board should
bc elected from the floor. This military
posse performed its duty under direc-
tions from the Governor of the State, and
removed from the floor of the House
those persons who had been Illegally
seated. and who had no legal right to be
there. whercupon the Democrats rose and
left the House, and the remaining mem
bers proceeded to effect an organization
under the State laws. In all this turmoil
in which bloodshed WAS imminent. the
military posse behaved with great dis
cretion. When Witt. the usurpng
Speaker of the House, called for troops
to preveut bloodshcd. they were given
him. When the Governor of the State
called for "A posse for the same purpose