Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-05

Gen. DeTrObriand, who had retlfeui
again advanced towards the Speaker, who
said, @Gentlemen, be quiet and be men,"
The General then pointing to Vigers, ex-
Clerk Of the House, said that he had
been represented to him by Gov. Kellogg
as Clerk Of the House, and had list Of
names Of the Republicans returned as cleo
ted by the Returning Board.
Speaker Wilt protest against Mr..
Vigers as having anything to do with This
body. He is no longer Clerk Of this
House, his successor having been legally
elected.
Gen. DeTrobriand-This protest VIII be
Of no avail.
Again Speaker Wilt protested against
the interference Of the military, and re-
quested members to join IN protest with
him. In response to this call, al the Con-
strvativ6 members stood up and solemnly
protested.
After another prOtest of Vigers' successor,
Gen. DeTrobriand ordered Vigers to call
the roll.
SPEAKER Witz-the Conservative mem
bes will not answer when their names are
called. None answered.
Mr.. Lowell, late Speaker, then wanted
to know what these proceedings amounted
to. The Republican members had, during
this controversy, entered in body, and
either took seats or stood nearthe platform.
Speaker Wiltz, after Mr., Lowell had in
dulged IN long talk OF having been duly
elected, and was willing to do his duty,
etc, slated to him what had taken place
during his absence, aud that Of his Radical
colleagues. Mr.. Vigers having finished
calling the roll, Mr.. Dewes said that fifty
four names bad answered, two Democrats
answering by mistake. He moved that the
House proceed TO business. Mr.. Murrell,
colored, Radical. seconded the motion. Mr..
Vigers wanted to get his seat, and Speaker
Wilt told him he could not, and that
there were not men enough to put
him in It. At this time there entered the
room file Of about fifteen soldiers, fully
equipped, who formed in line outside the
bar. Gen. DeTrObriand introduced then
Mr.. b. j. Campbell, who was giving his
assistance in pointing out the members
which he should eject. Previous to this
the REPORT Of the committee on credentials
was adopted, which seated several men,
bers who had not been returned by the Re
turning Board, notwithstanding the Objec-
tions raised by Republican members.
Speaker W LlNE lLNlCcLNu ue-ttAAAcN M OeA4AE
bells introduction, when Gen. DeTrO-
BRAND received Information that Gen.
Emory was at tbe door and would like TO
see him. He went out and almost imme-
diately returned. Mr.. Campbell asked the
General TO have therOll called by Vigers so as
TO ascertain the members who we're returned
as elected by the Board. General DeTrO-
BRAND Announced that he had nothing 10
do with those returned as elected, but
merely was ordered to eject those not de-
clared elected by the Returning Board.
Campbell then asked Senator Anderson il
he knew any Of those members. Anderson
only knew David O'Quinn, and Campbell
led the General up to Mr.. O'Quinn, to
whom Gen. DeIrobriand made known his
business. O'Quinn loudly protested and
had his protest recorded. In answer to the
General, who asked if he should lead him
out, Mr.. O'Quinn appealed to the
Speaker, who said that force should be
used. The General ordered one of
his aids to call couple Of soldiers, and
under solemn protest, Mr.. OQuinn was
put outside the bar. but allowed TO remain
there. O'Quinn having pointed out his
colleague, Mr.. Vaughan, Of Rapides, Mr..
Vaughan was interogated by Gen. DeTro-
briend in the same way. He protested,
and his protest was recorded. He said:
'In the name Of my constituents, the peO-
pie Of Louisiana, and as a free born man
Of the United States, 1 protest against this
outrage. They propose to take me out a,
the point Of the bayonet.' =
Speaker WiltZ-Let it be done.
Mr.. Vaughn was then put out. There
were some hisses from the upper galleries,
but the Speaker at once obtained quiet.
Campbell then pointed out Stafford and
Jefneys. Of RapideS; e.. c. Dunn, frOR
CaddO. and Geo. Z. Kelly, from Winn, al
Of whom entered a solemn protest against
the outrage, and were put out. This closed
the election, as there was no means TO as
certain if any more were present. Mr..
Kelly appealed In his protest to
the nation. Gen. DeTrObriand atithis time
was requested to order Mr.. Vigers TO read
the roll once more. A few Radicals, Ray
and Murrell, became very noisy, but were
at once quieted by Speaker Wilt. Muir
rell, apologized, disclaiming any discOurte-
sy to the Speaker. Vigers could moi get
into his seat to comply with the request 10
call the House again together for reOrgani-
zatiOn, they not recognizing the election Of
Mr.. Wilt as Speaker.
Speaker Wiltz-In the name Of the peO-
pie, and in the mare Of Louisiana, pro
test against Mr.. Vigers. He cannot and
viii not be recognized by me as Clerk Of
this House. In protesting fulfill solemn
duty to my people, myself and my col
leagues.
Vigers proceeded to read, when Speaker
Wilt ordered the Sergeant alarms 10 re-
move him from the stand. The Sergeant
/ alarms put his hand on Vigers', who re-
| fused, and called On Gen. DeTrObriand TO
protect him. Campbell then said Nigers
| must be protected; that this was no organ
lied House; Mr.. Wilt was no Speaker.
! WhereupOn, Speaker WiltZ ordered him to
be removed. Gen. DeTrObriand then or
! dered two soldiers to advance to put VigeTs
in the clerks seat.
| Protest From Speaker WIItEss and the
Democratic Members Retire.
Speaker Wilt rose and said: "As the
| legal speaker of the House Of Representa-
| tives Of the State Of Louisiana, l have pro-
/ tested against the invasiOns of our hall BY
/ the soldiers Of the United States with
/ drawn bayOnets and loaded muskets. We
/ have seen our brother members violently
/ seized by force Of arms, aud torn from uS
/ in spite Of their sOlemniprOtest. We have
seen a force Of soldiers march up the aisle
! Of the hall of Representatives ofLOuisiana;
| have protested against this in rhe name Ol
a once free people; in the name OF the on &c
free State Of Louisiana; In the name Of The
Union, 1 enter my solemn protest. The
chair of the only Speaker Of the House Of
Representatives of Louisiana is surrounded
by United States troops; the officers Of the
| House are prisoners in their hands, so
sOlemnly declare that Louisiana has ceased
to be a sovereign State; that 1t has no
longer q republican government. and l call
| on the representatives Of the State to retire
vita me before this show Of arms"
The Democratic Representatives, headed
! by Speaker Wiltz, then marched out Of the
hall and the State-bOuse, both Of which
were closed as soon as the last Democratic
| Representative went out. They went 10
| No. Il St. Louis street, followed by a large
| crowd, who cheered them on their way.
Speaker Wiltz was lOudly called ont. He
addressed the crowd in the following
words:
awe have attempted and succeeded il
organizing the House Of Representatives.
was elected Speaker, and after a permanent
organization, notwithstanding The inter
ference of the police, we have kept up pro
ceedings until few minutes ago, until th'
United States fOrcibly expelled about eigh
/ Or ton of OrIr members We then retired