The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-12
GEN. sHERIDAN,s STATEMENT
An Official DISPATCH.

Gen. Phil Sheridan, on Saturday, sent
his promised official account of the pro-
ceedings at New Orleans last Monday to
the secretary of war. 1t is as follows:
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION
OF Mo-, New Orleans, Jan. 8.
To Hon. W. W. Belknap, Secretary of
War:
have the honor to submit the following
brief report of affairs as they occurred here
on the organization of the state Legislature
of January 4th, 1875:
was not in command of this military
department until o'clock on the 4th inst,
but fully endorse and am willing to be
held responsible for the acts of the military
as conservatOrs of the public peace upon
that day.
During the few days which was in the
city prior to the 4th of January the general
topic of conversation was the scenes of
bloodshed that were about to occur on that
day, and repeatedly heard threats of as
sassinating the governor, and regrets ex-
pressed that he was not killed on the 14th
of September last ; also threats Of assassin
alton of the republican members of the
house, in order to secure the election of a
democratic speaker. also know of kid
mapping by the banditti of Cousin, one OF
the members elect of the legislature. In
order to preserve peace, and to make the
state house safe for pcaceable assembling
of the legislature, Gen. Emory, upon the
requisition of the governor, stationed troops
in the vicinity of the building. Owing to
these precautions the legislature assembled
in the state house without any disturbance
to the peace. At IL o'clock, VIM. Vigers,
clerk of the last house of representatives,
proceeded to call the roll, as according to
law he was empowered to do. One hun
dred and two legally elected members an
swered to their names. OF this number,
fifty-two were republicans and fifty demo
Gratis.
ARBITRARY AND UNLAWFUL PROCEEDINGS.
Before entering the house, Mr.. l.. A.
Wilt had been selected 10 caucus as the
democratic nominee for speaker and
Michael Hahn as the republican nominee.
Mr.. Vigers had not finished announcing the
result when one Of the members, Mr.. Bill
lieu Lafourche, nominated l.. A. Wilt for
temporary speaker. Vigers promptly de-
clared the motion out of order at that time,
when some one put the question, and amid
cheers on the democratic side of the house,
| WITT dashed on 10 the rostrum, pushed
ASIDE Vigers, seized the speakers gavel and
declared himself speaker A protest
against this arbitrary and unlawful pro-
ceeding was promptly made by members
OF the majority but Witt paid no atten-
lion 10 these protests, and Oh motion
from some one on the democratic side of
the house, II was declared that one Tree
want was nominated and elected clerk of
the house. Trezevant at once sprang for
ward and occupied the clerks chair amid
widest confusion over the whole house.
Wilt then again, on another nomination
from the democratic side of the house. de.
clared one Floed elected sergeant at. arms.
and ordered certain number of assistant !
to be appointed. Instantly large mum.
Der of men throughout the hall who had
been admitted on various pretexts, such as
reporters and members friends, and spec.
tators, turned down the lapels of thciI
coats, upon which were pinned blue ribbon
badges, on which were printed In gold let
tiers the words, assistant Sergcant-at-
Arms" and the assembly was in possession
of the minority, and the white league OF
Louisiana had made good its threat of seiz.