Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-01-16
sHERIDAN's DISPATCH.

w. w. Betkndp, secretary Q HdT-
SIR i have the honor to submit the
following brief report of affairs as they
occurred in the organization Of the State
Legislature of January 4th, 1875: was
not in command Of this military depart
ment until 10 o'clock of the night of the
4th inst, but l endorse and am willing to
be held responsible for, the acts of the
military as conservators of the
public peace upon that and during the
few days which / was in the city prior to
the 4th Of January. The general topic
Of conversation was the scenes of blood
shed liable to occur on that day, and
repeatedly heard threats Of assassinating
the Governor, and regrets expressed that
he was not killed on the l4th of Septem-
Der last also threats of the assassination
of the Republican members Of the House,
in order tJ secure the election Of Demo-
cratic Speaker. / also knew of the kid
mapping by banditti of Mr.. Cousin, one
of the members elect Of the Legislature.
In order to preserve the peace and to
malIe-the State House safe for the peace
full assembling of the Legislature, Gen
eral Emory, upon the requisition Of the
Governor, stationed troops in the vicinity
of the building. Owing to these precau-
tions the Legislature assembled in the
State House without any disturbance OF
the peace AT 10 o'clock William Wig
ors, Clerk Of the last House, proceeded
to call the roll as in accordance with law
he was empowered to do. One hundred
and two legally returned members an
swered to their names, and Of this num-
Der fifty-two were Republicans and fifty
Democrats. Before entering the House
! l.. A. Wilt had been selected in caucus
| as the Democratic nominee for Speaker,
and Michael Hahn as the Republican
nominee. Vigors had not finished de-
claring the result, when one of the mem
bers, Billen CT Lafourche, nominated
Wilt for temporary Speaker. Vigors
promptly declared the motion out OF or
der at that time, when some one put the
motion amid cheers from the Democratic
side Of the House. Wilt dashed on the
rostrum, seized the Speakers chair and
gavel, and declared himself Speaker. A
protest against this arbitrary and unaw-
ful proceeding was Immediately made by
mem bers Of the majority, but Wilt paid
no attention to these protests, and on mo-
tion of some one on the Democratic side
of the House it was declared that one
| Trevasant be elected as Clerk of the
House. Trevasant at once sprang for
ward and occupied the Clerks Chair
amidst the widest confusion over the
whole House. Mayor Witt then again,
on another nomination from the Demo
cratic side of the House, declared one
Flood elected Sergeant-at Arms, and or
dered that certain men as assistants be
appointed. Instantly large number Of
men throughout the hall, who had been
admitted on various pretexts, such as re-
porters, mem ber's friends etc., turned
down the lapels of their coats, on which
were pinned blue ribbon badges, on which
were printed in gold letters, the words,
T." Assistant Sergeant at Arms. The As
sembly was in possession Of a minority
and the White League of Louisiana had
made good its threat of selling the House
Many Of the Assistant Sergeants-at- Arms
were well known Captains of White
League companies in this city. Notwith-
standing the suddenness of the movement,
leading Republican members had not
failed to protest against this revolutionary
action Of the minority, but all to no pur-
pose, and many Republicans rose and
left the House in body, together with
Clerk Vigors, who carried with him the
original roll Of the House as returned by
the Sec'y of State. The excitement was
now very great, and the acting Speaker
directed the Sergeant-at rms to pre-
vent egress and ingress of the mem bers
or others, and several exciting scenes
eusued in which knives and pistols were
drawn and for few moments it seemed
rs if bloodshed would be the result. At
this juncture Dupree, Democratic mem
Der from Orleans parish moved that the
military Of the General Government be
| invoked to preserve the peace, and that
Committee be appointed to wait upon
General De Trobriand, the commanding
officer stationed at the State House, and
request his assistance in clearing the lob
by. The motion was adopted, and
Committee Of five, of which Dupree was
made Chairman, was sent out to wait up
on General De Trobriand, and soon re-
turned with that officer, who was accom-
panied by two of his staff, and as General
De Trobriand walked down to the Speak
, er's desk, there was loud applause from
the Democratic side Of the House.
General De Trobran asked the Acting
Speaker if it was not possible for him TO
rpreserve order without appealing to a
United States Army officer. Mr. Wilt
replied that it was not Whereupon the
General proceeded to the lobby, and ad-
dressed a few words to the excited crowd,
and peace was at once restored. On mo-
tion Of Mr.. Dupree, Mr.. Wilt, in the
name Of the General Assembly, thanked
Gen. De Trobriand for his interference In
behalf Of law and order, and the General
withdrew. The Republicans had now
generally withdrawn from the hall and
united in signing Il petition to the Cover
nor, stating their grievances and asking
his aid, which was signed by fftytwo c-
gally constituted members of the House.
1t Is in my possession. Immediately
subsequent to the action Of Wilt in eject
ing the Clerk of the old House Mr.. Boil
len moved that the two gentlemen from
the parish of De Soto, one from Whine,
one from Bienyile, and one from Iberia
all of whom had not been returned by the
Returning Board, be sworn in as mem
bers, and they were accordingly sworn
in by Wilt, and took their seats on the
floor as members Of the House. A mo-
ton was made that the House proceed
with its permanent organization, and ac-
cordingly the roll was called by Trevas-
ant, acting Clerk, and Wilt declared
Speaker and Trevasant Clerk of the
House. Acting or the protest of ma.
jority Of the House, the Governor now
requested the commanding General OF
the Department to aid him in restoring
order and enable the legally returned
members of the House to proceed with
its organization according to law. This
request was reasonable and in accordance
with law. Remembering wildly the
terrible massacres that took place in this
city on the assembling of the Consttu-
al Convention in 1866, at the Mechanics
Institute, and believing that the lives of
the members of the Legislature were al
ready, or would be endangered in case an
organization under the law was attempt
ed, the posse was furnished, with a re-
! Al L.