Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1875-01-28
But the door of his room had closed behind
him. and l was left alone.
XAM'S FATHER.


XAM'S FATHER.
SHERIDAN.
His Report of the Organization OF the
Louisiana Legislature.
The following is General Sheridan's official
report of the organization of the Louisiana
Legislature, telegraphed to the Secretary of
War from New Orleans, January 9Th:
10 Ron. w. w. Belknap, Secretary of War,
Washington, D. c.:
have the honor to submit the following
brief report of affairs, as they occurred here
in the organization of the State Legislature OF
January 4th, 1875. was not in command
in this military department until o'clock at
night of the 4th inst, but fully endorse and
am willing to be held responsible for the acts
of the military as conservatives of the public
peace upon that day. During the few days
was in the city prior to the 4th OF
January, the general topic Of conversation
was the scenes of bloodshed that were liable
to occur on that day, and repeatedly heard
threats of assassination of the Governor, and
regrets expressed that he was not killed on
the 18th of September last. Also, threats OF
the assassination of Republican members of
the House, in order to aecure the election OF
a Democratic Speaker. / also knew of the
kidnapping by bandits of Mr.. Cousins, one
of the members elect of the Legislature. In
order to preserve peace and make the State
House safe for the peaceable assembling of
the Legislature, General Emory, upon requi-
sition Of the Governor, stationed troops in the
vicinity of the building.
OWING TO THESE PRECAUTIONS
the Legislature assembled in the State House
without a disturbance of the peace. At IL
o'clock Wm Vigers, Clerk of the last House
of Representatives, proceeded to call the roll,
as. according to law, he was empowered to
do. One hundred and two legally returned
members answered to their names. Ut this
number fifty-two were Republicans and fifty
Democrats. Before entering the House, l..
A. Wiltz had been selected in caucus as the
Democratic nominee for Speaker, and Mich
ael Hahn as the Republican nominee Vigers
had not finished announcing the result when
one of the members (Billen. of Lafourche,)
nominated L. A. Wiltz for temporary Speak
er. Vigers promptly declared the motion out
of order at that time, when some one put the
question, and, amid cheers on the Demo-
cratic side of the House, Wiltz dashed on to
the rostrum, pushed aside Vigers, seized the
Speakers chair and gavel, and declared him.
self Speaker. Protest against this arbitrary
and unlawful proceeding was promptly made
by members of the majority, but Wiltz paid
no attention to these protests, and, on motion
from some one on the Democratic side Of the
House. it was declared that enc Trezevant
was nominated and elected Clerk of the House.
Trezevant at once sprang forward and occu-
pied the Clerk S chair, amidst the
Widest CONFUSION
over the whole House. Mayor Wiltz then
again, on another nomination from the Dem
Ocratic side of the House, declared one Flood
elected sergeant alarms, and ordered a GER
tain number of assistants to be appointed.
Instantly large number of men throughout
the hall, who had been admitted on various
pretexts, such as reporters and members and
spectators, turned down the lappels Of their
coats, upon which were pinned blue ribbon
badges, on which were printed in gold letters
the words Assistant sergeant-at-arms, and
the Assembly was in possession of the minor
ity, and the White League Of Louisiana had
made good it's threat of Selling the House,
many of the Assistant sergeant-at-arms being
well known as Captains of White League
companies in this city. Notwithstanding
the suddenness of this movement, leading
Republican members had not failed to protest
again and again against this revolutionary
action of the minority, but all to no purpose,
and many of the Republicans rose and left
the House in body, together with Clerk
Vigers, who carried with him the original
roll of the House, as returned by the Secre-
tary of State. The excitement was now very
great, and the acting Speaker directed the
sergeant-at~arms to prevent egress or ingress
of members or others, and several exciting
scuffies, in which knives and pistols were
drawn, took place, and for few moments it
looked as if bloodshed would ensue. At this
juncture Mr.. Dupre, Democratic member
from Orleans Parish, moved that the military
power of the general government be invoked
to preserve the peace, and that committee
be appointed to wait on General DeTrobriand,
commanding officer of the United States
troops stationed at the State House, and re-
quest his assistance in clearing the lobby.
The motion was adopted, and committee of
three, of which Mr.. Dupre was made chair
man, was sent to wait on General DeTrO-
BRAND, and soon returned with that officer. who
was accompanied by two of his staff officers
AS General DeTrebriand walked down to the
Speakers desk, loud applause burst from the
Democratic side of the House. General De-
Trobriand asked the acting Speaker if it was
NOT POSSIBLE
for him to preserve order without appealing
to him to preserve order as United States
army officer. Mr.. Wiltz said it was not. The |
General proceeded to the lobby, and addres-
sing few words to the excited crowd, peace |
was restored. On motion of MI. Dupre, Mr.. |
Wiltz then, in the name of the General As |
sembly of the State of Louisiana, thanked |
General De- eTrobriand for his interference in |
behalf of law and order, and the General |
withdrew. a.n |
The Republicans had not generally with |
drawn from the hall and united and signed q |