The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-01-14

lative assembly is tho judge OF the
election and qualifications Of its owti
members; bnt il a mob or e body of
unauthorized persons seize and hold
the legislative ball in tumultuous
and riotous munner. and so prevent
any organization by those legally re-
torned as elected. it might become the
duty OF the State Executive to inter-
pose. il requisite d by majority of the
members elect, to suppress The dis.
tnrbnnce and enable the persons eject.
ed to orgnnize the House. Any exer.
cise OF this power would only be justi-
liable Under most extraordinary cir.
cumstances. aud it would then be the
duty OF the Governor to call upon the
constabulary, or. if necessary. the
military force OF the State. But with
reference to Louisiana, it is to bs
borne in mind, that any attempt by
the Governor to use the police force OF
that State 1T this time, would have un-
doubtedly preoipitated bloody CON
hct with the White League, as it did
on the 14th Of September. There is
no doubt but that the presence of the
United States troops upon that occa.
sion, prevented bloodshed and the loss
OF l'te. Both parties appear to have
relied upon them as conservators of
the public pence. The first call was
made by the Democrats, to remove
persons obnoxious to them from the
legislative hall, aud the second was
from the Repubiicans, to remove per-
sons who had usurped seats in the
Legislature, without legal certificates
authorizing them to seats, and in suf.
hcient number to change the majority.
Nobody was disturbed by the military
who had legal right at that time to
occupy seat in the Legislature. That
the Democratic minority of the Honse
undertook to seize its organization by
fraud aud violence; that in this attempt
they tramPlcd under foot law; that they
undertook to make persons not re-
turned IN elected members, so AZ to
create maj ajority; that they acted
under precoucerted plan, and under
fulse pretepces introduced into the hall
body CT men to support their preten-
slons by force. if necessary; and that
conflict, disorder and riotous proceed.
| ings followed, are facts that seem to be
we'll established; and I am credibly in
formed that these violent proceedings
we're part OF premeditated plan to
have the House organized in tins way,
recognize what has been called the
McEnery Senate, then depose Gov.
Kellogg. nnd SO ruvolutiopizs the State
Government. Whether it was wronu
Tor the Governor, at the request of the
majority of the members returned as
elected to the House, to use such
| means az were in his power to defeat
the lawless aud revolutionary proceed.
Jugs, IN perhaps debatabIe question ::
but 1t IL quite certain that there would
have been no trouble, if those who
now complain of illegal interference
had allowed the House to be or
ganized in q lawful and regular man
| ner When those who inaugurnte'
disorder and anarchy disavow such
proceedings, it will be time enough
to condemn those who, By such
means as they have, prevent the
success OF their lawless and desperate
schemers. Lieutenant General Sheri.
dan was requested by me to 90 to
Louisiana to observe and report the
situation there, and if in his opinion
necessary, to assume tue commau,l: ::
which he did on the 4th instant. after
the Legislative disturbances had o.
Cured, at 9 o'clock p. NJ, number
OF hours after the disturbances. No
party motives, no prtjudices, con rea-
sonably be imputsd to him. But ho-
nestly con 7inced By shat hs ass s:sn
and heard there, he has characterized
the leaders OF the White Leagues in
severe terms. and suggested summary
modes of procedure agAin.t them,
which, though they cannot be adopted,
would. if legal, soon put an end to the
troubles and disorders in that State.
Gen. Sheridan was looking at facts, apd
possibly not thinking Of pfooeedinpa.
which would be the only proper ones
to pursue in time OF peace: he
thought more of the utterly lawless
condition Of society surrounding him
at the time of his despatch, and of
what would prove sure remedy. He
never proposed to do an illegal act,
nor expressed q determination to pro
ceed beyond what the law IN the future
migh. authorize for the punish Mt of
the atrocities which have been COM
nittcd. and the commission of which
cannot be successfully denied. 1t is u
deplorable fact, that political crimes
and murders have been committed in
Louisiana. which hnve gone unpu-
nisbed, and which have been iusti.
fed or npoIogized for, which must
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