The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-01-08
The Louisiana Muddle.

I'd Ol .C7AS4GdN Blt~CiiANA t4AC AAbAS
State in condition bordering on, if not
on actual, anarchy, came with the stagg-
ering force of an unexpected blow TO the
people. The facts elected before the
Congressional Investigating Committee,
as well as by careful observation, do not
sustain General Sheridan in his assert
ions of yesterday. There are discomfort
and dissatisfaction amounting almost
to disorder on all sides, especially in the
city of New Orleans, but with wonder
ful strength and patience these feelings
are kept under control, and there are
peace and quiet. The people are sore,
and have been aggravated almost beyond
endurance at the thought that the very
moment when they were exercising the
greatest self control they are accused by
General Sheridan, who has been here
scarcely a week, of being possessed of 2
spirit of mutinous insubordination and
outrageous disregard of law and order
The charge is unjust and untrue.
Meantime matters concerning the
Legislature and State Government re-
main practically unchanged. The Kel-
Iogg Legislature met to day, but ad
journed after very brief session. The
anti-Kellogg party did not enter the hall.
They held a caucus to day, at which it
was determined that they would meet to
morrow in the same public hall, recog
nize the old Senate, and proceed with
public business az though there were no
other body in existence claiming TO be
the Legislature of Louisiana. They
have little hope that will be permitted
to proceed without molestation. They
think it extremely probable Sheridan
will desperse them at the point of the
bayonet. They will resist, but not to
the shedding of blood. There is a calm
determination among the best citizens
and they now have control Of affairs
that there shall be no more violence :;
that they will use every peaceable and
honorable means to secure their real
and assumed rights, but these exhausted
they will go no further.
The manner of the organization of the
anti-Kellogg Legislature was clearly un-
justi6able, but the subsequent organiza-
tion of the Kellogg Legislature was just
as clearly illegal. Fifty-four members
present are necessary to constitute a
quorum for the House. After the anti
Kellogg party had been elected By the
military, the KeIloggites proceeded to
organize, the old Clerk holding over
Vigers called the-roll a second time and
only fifty-three answered. Knowing that
fifty-four were necessary, however, in
order TO proceed 10 business legally,
Vigers announced "fifty-four members
have answered to their names their is
quorum present, and the election of
Speaker will be proceeded" or words to
that effect. A Speaker was accordingly
elected, and in order to conceal the fact
that there was not a quorum present the
vote was by acclamation. The calling
of the roll would have developed the
truth, which would have nuIlifed the
proceedings. They now claim that the
first roll-call to which over one hundred
members responded was the real call
contemplated by law that the proceed
ings were for time interrupted by re-
volutionary attempt of the anti Kellogg
ties to obtain the upper hand f.; that
when that revolutionary attempt was
suppressed the House proceeded TO bust
ness, the minutes showing many more
than the requisite members present.
1t is difficult to see which party has
played the bolder game. But the result
is that the United States troops are sus-
tanning a usurping and illegal LeeIsla-
ture.
Ever since the arrival of the Congress
sional committee strong influences have
been at work to secure compromise be-
tween the factions which would restore
harmony. The best men of the two
parties have united with the committee
in the report, and all have labored con-
scientiously unselfshly to attain the de-
SlTSu emu. mere are SO IldilN COHulCl-
ing interests and feelings of personal in
jury 10 be considered that great Difficult
ty has been experienced in arriving at a
harmonious conclusion. 1t was thought
frequently that the registration would
have to be abandoned, but persistence
has finally brought about an understand
ing which has a faint shadow of hope in
it for the future of the State. Messrs.
Kellogg, McEnery, Antoine and Penn
have individually requested the com
mittee to act as arbitrators between
them, and have promised to abide by
the decision of the committee as to their
conflicting claims. A letter was sent to
these gentlemen tonight, by the COM
mittee setting forth the fact that they
had expressed themselves as willing to
accept the arbitration of the committee
The committee are not desirous of un-
dertaking the task unless they have pos
tive assurances that they (the Louisian-
ians) will abide by their decision. They
therefore, PROFOUND to each of the
claimants, to the office of Governor and
Lieutenant Governor the question wheth-
er they will, if the committee decide
that they were not elected, in the cases
of the present incumbents, at once resign
and not resume the functions of the
Office unless properly elected at some flu
ture time by the people. In the case of
the claimants, McEnery and Penn, the
question takes this form: "Will you, if
the committee decide that you were not
elected, withdraw all claim to the office
and waive all rights which you think
you acquired by the election Of 1872"
The committee will adjourn to-mor-
row, to meet in Washington, where they
will receive the replies to their letter.
If these replies should be favorable, the
committee will doubtless return, and en-
deavor to make such an investigation of
the election of 1872 as will settle beyond
dispute the rival claims to the office in
questions. 1t is by no means certain
that these replies will be favorable, not
withstanding the circumstance that all