New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-09
WHOLE NUMBER 24lO.
The Last Day of the Committee.

The Last Day of the Committee.
! Yesterday evening the congressional
committee met for the last time in the Gus
tomhsuse. The day session had concluded
the testimony on the Conservative side
and nothing remained but rebutting testi
mony to be heard, provided the motion Of
the Republican counsel to that effect should
be entertained.
For the Conservative side the most i'm.
portant witness was Mr.. Fenner, who came
prepared with codifcation of laws which
he claimed, in an elaborate statement, were
all framed with the express intent to en-
slave the people. He stated, however,
that only one of the acts establishing courts
for that purpose had been approved by
Governor Kellogg. and that the one
creating the Superior Criminal Court has q
very good judge 10 the person of Judge
Atocha.
The purpose Of Mr.. Fenner being directed
toward the demolition of the Returning
Board, he could see no good in the law
creating it. although the first board was
created in the interest of the Fusion party.
The board, under such q law, were sure to
do worse than jury, even though com.
posed of men of character and standing,
and selected by body as pure as Senate
composed entirely of Democratic members.
Mr.. Fenner is probably correct in this
opinion, and no doubt is sincere in depre-
ciating the confdipg of too much power
even to pure persons of Democratic
afinities Mr.. Hoar, however, was
more charitable to such body and thought
it . much more suitable tribunal than q
jury selected by lot. But Mr.. Hoar comes
from State where the laws have always
been like those OF the rest of the States,
except Louisiana, and there is q belief that
these questions, 60 far as practicable, should
not be brought before the courts and are
never tried by a jury. 1t was also new to
Mr.. Fenner that pretending to hold an Office
was crime, but it is good law neverthe-
less.
Mr. James Buckner gave more informa-
ton Of the White League and made them
appear very nice people, barring certain
ssS00' ~ OUJCOto OuU COu0tktuGtOu6 W6T0
very commendable, as was also the sense
Of propriety retained by each member in
considering whether an order to turn out
was for virtu0us purpose or not. He was
not connected with the league except as a
staff officer. and only spoke for himself,
however. He knew of no intimidation of
Republicans, but testified to the fears of
Democratic colored men.
One of these gentlemen, William Alex
ander by name, president of benevolent
and charitable organization having 712
members, testified to having strong reasons
for voting the Conservative ticket. Not
that he had been told to do it, but he found
the Republicans had done so little for him
and his race that he changed not only his
politics but that of the whole 7l2 charitable
gentlemen who now compose the First
Ward Colored Democratic Club. Not even
their large numbers were sufici to pro.
tect him, however, from the ferocious as.
saults of colored Republicans, though he
was fortunate enough to escape uninjured,
and 80 ne called on the Democrats.
But before he got through he gave the
best evidence of intimidation yet produced.
All he knew of reading and writing was
figures, but, believing he was born in 1859,
he swore he voted when i've years old, and |
stuck to the Republicans till August, 1874
when he became afraid of the White |
League, and the 7l2 benevolent people,
whom he honored by presiding over
heir deliberations, got afraid at the |
'ame time and became Democratic vo-
ers in lump by secret vote. |
ae said they kept afraid till after
he fourteenth of September, when he |
earned better, but hung on to the secret |
7ote and pumped in November, as he said,
or McEnery. Penn, Wilt and Burke, |
showing all these names were on the |
icket.
The determination Of the committee to |
lear no rebutting testimony left only few
pleasant speeches to be made before they
dissolved. And of all its long and some
imes tedious sessions, this was the most |
'leasant During all the time the com.
nittee have been most patient, kind and !
ndefatigable in its pursuit of truth. Their
riendly and interested faces won the regard
f all who attended the sessions, and it is
ardly necessary to say their ability and
mpartiality commanded respect, and this
Eas most pleasantly expressed by Mr.. |
.acharie. Even the few who have thought
Ir Frye pushed his questions too deep must
ave forgotten their feelings at hearing his |
ew words of explanation and expression of |
hanks for the courtesies he received, which,
With Mr. Hears complimentary illusions to |
he counsel, we're 60 appropriate farewell.
Ir. Marshall said the last words, and
bowed the perfect harmony of the relations
etween the members, and the influence it
ad in causing him to wish the same har-
,ony to exist in the State.
In thanking the committee for their ef
orts in behalf of Louisiana there are few
rho will not echo the final hope of Mr..
[arshall. that the day is not far distant
'hen good order, good feeling, peace,
and harmony will develop our
eautiful State.
Adjustment In Louisiana.
The Washington correspondent of the
incinnati Commercial seems to understand