The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-12
MORNING JANUARY ~ 1875

ing the house. Many of the assistant SER
geant-at.arms were well known as captains
OF white league companies in this city.
the suddenness of this
the leadlngrepublcan members
had not failed to protest again and again
against this revolutionary action of the mi.
nority, but all to no purpose, and many OF
the republicans rose and left the house in
body, together with the clerk, Mr.. Nigers,
who carried with him the original roll of
the house, as returned by the secretary of
state.
The excitement was now very great, and
the acting speaker directed the sergeant-at-
arms to prevent the egress or ingress OF
members and others, and several exciting
scufiles with knives and pistols drawn took
place. and for few moments it seemed as
If bloodshed would ensue.
THE MILITARY souonT.
AT this juncture Mr.. Dupre, the member
from Orleans parish, moved that the mill
tary power of the general government be
invoked to preserve peace, and that com
mittee be appointed to wait on General DE
Trobrand, the commanding officer of the
United StateN troops stationed at the state
house, and request his assistance in clear
ing the lobby The motion was adopted
and committee of five, of which Mr..
Dupre was made chairman, was seat to
wait upon General De Trobriand, and soon
returned with that officer, who was ac-
companied by two of his staff officers, ard
asked If his assistance was required. Mr.
Wilt said IL was not, whereupon the gene
raj proceeded to the lobby and addressed a
few words to the excited crowd. Peace
rnctnrn1 In motion of MIR
Dupre, Mr. Wilt then, in the name of the
general assembly OF the state of Louisiana
thanked General Trobriand for his inter-
ference in behalf of law and order, and
the general withdrew.
ACTION OF THE REPUBLICANS.
The republicans had now generally with
drawn from the hall, and united in signing
o petition 10 the Governor stating their
grievances and asking his aid, which petit
ton, signed by fitty-two legally returned
members of the house, IS in my possession.
THE CJNsgRv ATIvEs COMPLETE THEIR Or
GANIzATIoN.
Immediately subsequent to the action OF
Wilt in ejectiag the clerk of the old house
Mr.. Bllen moved that two gentlemen from
| the parish of DeSoto, one from Whine, one
| from Bienvile, and one from Iberia, who
had not been returned by the returning
board, he sworn in as MEMBERS and they
were accordingly sworn in by Mr.. Wilt
aud took their seats on the floor as mem
bers OF the house A motion was nov
made that the house proceed with its per
manent organization, and accordingly til,
roll was called by Mr.. Trezevant, the art
ing clerk, and Mr. Witt was dorl.rc,
speaker and Irrelevant clerk of 'Ac h use.
ACTING on TGs rHorE,r
made by The majority of the house. h,
governor now requested the commanding
general of the department to aid hin in re-
storing order and enable the legally re
turned members of the house to proceed
with its organization according to law
This request was reasonable and according
to law. Remembering yividly the terrible
massacre that took place in this city on thu
assembling of the constitutional convention
In 1866 at the Mechanics Institute, and be
lievlng that the lives of the members o
the legislature were or would be cDdanger
ed in case an organization under the law
was attempted, the posse was furnished
with the request that care should be takel
| that no member of the legislature returned
by the returning board should he cjectet
from the floor.
| THIS MILITARY POSSE
Performed its duty under directions from
the governor of the state, and removed
| from the floor of the house those persOn
who had been Illegally seated and who hat
no legal right to be there, whereupon tn,
democrats rose ami left the house, and the
remaining members proceeded to effect Al
organization under the state laws In al
this turmoil, il which
| BLOODsHED WAS IMMINENT,
The military posse behaved with great dis
erection. When Wilt, the usurplng speak
CT of the house, called for the troops t.
prevent bloodshed, they were given HIM
When the governor of the state called TO
posse for the same purpose, and to en-
force the law. it was furnished also.
Had this not been done, it is my firm be
lief that scenes of bloodshed would hay
ensucd p III. SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant General.
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