The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-01-20
Report.

Mr.. Bech,el's tariff resolutions
were passed.
sheridan's Report.
WASHINGTON, January 1.-THE
following official dispatch Was receiv-
ed here late last night, dated New
Orleans, La, Jan. 8, 1873:
To Hon. ". " Belhaap, Secretary
Of Var, Washington, u. g
! have the honor 70 su bmit the fol-
lowing brief report Of affairs as they
occurred here 90 the organization Of
the State Legislature Of January !,
1875:
/ was not in command Of this mil
.itary department until 9 o'clock at
night on the 4th insl., but l fully iu-
dorsed, and am willing to be held re-
sponsible for the acts Of the military
as con~servators OF the public peace
upon that day. During the few days
in which | was in the city, prior {,
the 4th Of January, the general topic
Of conversation was the scenes Of
~bloodshed that were liable to occur
on hat day, and | repeatedly heard
threats of assassinating the Cover
nor, and regrets expressed that be
was not killed on the l4Lh Of Sep
TENDER last; also, threats of the as
s~assination of Republican members
of the House, in order to secure The
election Of q Democratic Speaker.
| also knew of the kidnapping by
the banditti Of Mr.. Cousiner, one of
the members elect Of the Legisla-
ture. In order to preserve the peace
and make the State House safe for
the peaceful assembling of the Legis-
@lature, General Emory, upon the re-
QUESTION Of the Governor, Stationed
troops in the vicinity of the building.
Owing to these precautions the Leg
islature assembled in the State House
without any disturbance of the pub
lie peace. At twelve O'Clock William
Vigers, the Clerk of the last House
of Representatives, proceeded 10 call
the roll, as according to law he was
empowered to do.
One hundred and two legally-re-I
turned members answered TO their
names. OF this number flty-two
were Republicans aud fifty were
Democrats. Before entering the
House Mr.. L. a. Wilt had been Sc
lected in caucus as the Democratic
nominee for Speaker, and Mr.. Mich
ael Hahn as the Republican nominee.
Mr.. Vigers bad not yet finished an
nouncing the result when one of the
members, Mr.. Billyan, of L~atourche,
nominated Mr.. l.. \. Wilt for tenn
porary Speaker. Mr.. Vigers prompt
~ declared the motion out of order
ut that tine, when some one put the
question, and, amidst the cheers of
the Democratic side OF the House,
MIR. Wilt dashed on the rostrum,
pushed aside Mr.. Eigers, seized the
Speakers chair and gayel, and de-
clared himself Speaker. \ protest
against this arbitrary and unlawful
proceeding vas promptly made by
members Of the majority, but Wiltz
paid no attention to the protests, aud
upon . motion from some one on the
Democratic side Of the House, de-
clared u Trezeyant nominated aud
elected CLERK Of the House. Mr..
Trezevant at once sprang forward
and occupied the Clerks chair, amidst
the widest confusion over the whole
House, Willz then again, on aGoth-
er nomination from the Democratic
side Of the House, declared one Flood
elected Sergeant-aI-Arms, and order
ed that a certain number Of assist
ants be appointed. Instantly q large
number Of men throughout the ball,
who had been admitted on various
pretexts, such as reporters and mem
bers' friends and spectators, turned
down the lapels Of their coats, upon
which were pinned blue ribbon
badges, on which were printed in sol
Id gold letters the words Assistant
Sergeant alarms" and the Assembly
was IN the possession Of the minority,
aud the White League Of Louisiana
bad made good its threats o! Selling
the House, many Of the Assistant
Sergeants-at-Arms being well known
as captains Of the White League
companies in this city. Notwith-
standing the suddenness Of this move
ment, tie leading Republican mem
bers had Dot i..ed to protest again
and again against this revolutionary
action Of the minority. bur al 10 ~
purpose, aud many If The Republic
cans rose anG left the IIon>e in a
body, together with the Clerk, Mr..
Vigers, who carried with him the
original roll Of the House as return
ed by the Secretary Of State Tae /.
excitement was now ,efy-great. The
acting Speaker directed he Sergeant
at-Arms 10 prevent the tgre-s or ia
gress of menilers cr others, an. sew /
It"-~1f ~ A. 4 -u Aitt % ~
and pistols were drawn, took aace, /
and for o few moments IL seemed :
that bIoodshed would ensue. Al this F,
iuncture Mr.. DnPre, a Democratic {
member froM the parish Of 0rIeans,
moved that the military power of the {
General Government be invoked 10 :
preserve the peace, and that a com {
be appointed to wait upon $
General De Trobriaad, the command c
oGceF Of The United States troops /
stationed at the State HOUSE, 2pd re- !,
quest his assistance in clearing the i
Obby. The motion was adopted, z
md a committee Of Eve, Of which 5
ur. Dupre was made chairman, was 5
Ient to General De Trobriand, and b
Don returned with that officer, who i: