The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-01-08

Poor oppressed Louisiana is still under
the iron heel of military oppression-at the
expense OF all the people Of the United
States At the last election, the Conserya-
tives, embracing nearly all the native white
aud best portion Of the negro population.
elected the State officers and about two.
thirds of tn. Legislature, notwithstanding
that United States troops were so disposed
throughout the State with orders to arrest
all the leading whites that thousands of
citizens abandoned their homes asd did not
dare to attend the election. But in that
State they have returning board" APP
pointed by the Governor, who count all the
votes and declare who is elected, having
authority. or assuming it, to throw out votes
where negroes are "intimidated," and to
count votes not polled. This board is COM
posed of four carpet -baggers and one native.
but at the recent count the latter retired in
utter disgust. The board threw out Conser-
vatiye votes enough in many districts to
change results, and admitted men in 9TH
ers who had scarcely votes enough to show
that :hey were candidates, to give the Radi-
Gals majority in each branch Of the Legis-
lature That body met on the 4th inst. and
upon proceeding to organize it was ascer-
tained that enough Radicals were absent
from the House to give tie Conservatives a
majority. A Speaker and Clerk were duly
elected and assumed their duties, when the
military appeared on the scene, armed SOL
diers took possession Of the As. emily room.
and the General in command informed the
0p"ker chat he was directed by Gov. Kell-
ogg TO have list of members prepared by
MN reau ~ carpet-bagger who accompa-
med the Genu'al by order of the Governor.
Inc Speaker p'otested. SAYING that the
House was duly o.;anizcd wa, the sole
judge of the qualifications of is own man.
bers, that it had its own duY installed off.
GERS, and that the parsonage appointed NV
the Governor to read the list was taithar a
member nor officer, and therefore had
no business there Gen. Trobriand apollo.
getically replied that he was under the or
| ders of n superior officer who had directed
him to obey Gov. Kellogg's orders. The
military then proceeded to force several
members from their seats and drive them
| from the hall. The clerk was also dispos-
ses8ed, and carpet bagger not elected put
in his place. The Conservative members
then retired to another building, and the re-
naming Radicals under the protection oil
1
the army, proceeded to organize a bogu,
| Legislature. 1t afterwards transpired that
| Gen. Phil. Sheridan was in chief command
of the troops at New Orleans, the gentle.
manly commander, Gen. Emery, long sta.
toned there, having been quietly suppressed
ed. As Phil. won most of his fame fighting
defenceless people and is noted for cruelty
and recklessness, he is eminently propc;
commander for occasions of outrage aud
trampling upon peoples liberties. A portion
of the Congressional committee of nvestiga.
ton was present during the proceedings.
Sheridan coolly asks the President to de,
clare the white people Of louisiana, Missis.
sippi and Arkansas "banditti" and give him
power to treat them accordingly! Is this 9
country of freedom? Have the people right.
that military satraps respect?