New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-03-04
VOLUME VIII---NO. :
THE LEGlsLATURE YESTERDAY.

| senate.
The minutes of the morning session vel
read and approved.
Senator Burch called for reading of th
minutes OF the evening session, as they di
not appear in the printed journal.
The minutes OF the evening session wer
read, and, after much discussion, amende
and adopted by q yeas to 9 nays.
| Ihe special order of the day was ordere
TO be taken up. This was the general a,
| preparation bill.
| Senator Blunt moved the adoption of tn
bill on its third and final reading, a
amended.
Senator Robertson called for executiy
| session, and the Senate was cleared of al
| but members.
| After executive session the motion q
Senator Elunt, that the general appropriation
bill be placed upon its third and final read
ing, was put and carried by vote of l.
gsas to II nays, and it was sent back TO tn,
House
The majority and minority reports Of th,
Militia Committee were taken up IA th.
special order Of the day and read
The minority report, signed by Senator
Crozier, was read for the information of the
Senate. 1t sets forth that the condition Of
the State fully justified the outlay incurred
for militia purposes during the past year;
and that present circumstances necessitate
at least an equal appropriation for the
CurrQNf Tho fv {,,rt
sets forth that the gentlemen making the
majority report did not give sufficient time
to the Governor and mmanding General
to make their reports, considering the
present onerous duties Of the former and
bad health of the latter; and further that
the majority erred in charging dersliction
OF duty upon the afjutant general, whose
complete report fully exonerates him. The
minority report also charges that the
majority have acted hastily; that their
statements are based rather upon rumors
and newspaper reports than upon conolu.
sive evidence, and asserts that the opera
tions of the militia department have been
carried on in a perfectly lawful and
efficient manner.
Senator Detiege introduced further
written evidence to show that the
majority report is correct, and also ad
dressed the Senate at length in support
OF the majority report. He said, in mat
ter where it was clear the public funds
had been ruthlessly and wantonly
sqnandered By the agents OF the
government, he did not stop to in
qure tho politics Of the delinquents.
He was Republican, but he would not
close his eyes against tie unlawful and
dishonest acts Of public servants. be they
Republicans Or Democrats.
The Senator offered another paper, which
ha said would be the last, to show that
-he majority report was not based upon
newspaper reports, bEt upon facts-c,ear
md indisputable facts.
While the clerk was reading the paper
for the information of tho Senate, an at
.empt was made to dispense with its further
'eading, but the Senate, by vote, decided
hat IL wonll hear tho reading OF the
paper. AZ the conclusion of the reading OF
he paper Senator De;iege proceeded to
srgue the correctness Of the majority report.
lie referred to the State Auditors repor.
md the report OF the State Treasurer to
how that q large amount of money had
'ten drawn for militia purposes. and said
hat the committee had been unable to find
vheTe the money had been expended. He
i'd not wish to be understood as charging
hat the adjutant general was the only ono
t fault in this matter; but he did mean to
ay that a large amount Of State funds had
een expended, and tho majority Of the
ommittee had been unable to get anv
atisfactory account as to where ard how
be money had been expended.
Senator Burch moved the indefinite post
oncment of the whole subject matter. A !
oto was about to be taken upon this |
lotion when Senator Crozier addressed the !
enate in support Of the minority report. |
lie said that at the time the Governor and |
10 Major General were summoned before |
be Militia Committee it was impossible for |
lem to attend The public duties of the |
Governor would not permit this attendance; |
iA tHD iiibCcS Vi VCuSldl ALCussllttJ pie
ented his attendance. 1t was well known
lat the State had an organization OF at
ast 1000 militia in the State. This force
ad done good service and could not be
Maintained without expense. He believed
lat every dollar that had been expended
the militia service could and would be
accounted for. He thought
10 chairman of the Militia Committee had
zen governed by prejudice more than
ason and facts in making up and present
& his report.
Senator Burch renewed his motion to lay
70 whole subject matter upon the table,
I'd pending this motion the Senate went
to executive session.
After executive session Senator Burch
newed his motion to lay the whole sub
ct matter connected with the majority
ID minority reports Of the Militia Com
ittee upon the table. The Senate adopted
is motion.
The conference committee on the appro-
iation bill, consisting of Messrs. Souer,
.ury, Demas, Raby and Devices, on the
rt of tho House, and Messrs. Wharton,
ladbourn. Stamps. Cage and Herwig, on
Q part Cf the Senate, made q report.
na:or Wharton presented copy of the |
port to the Senate.
The report caused good deal of discus
H. which the President decided entirely
of order \ motion was made to adept
, report.
senator Wharton asked permission to I
plain the report which was granted.