The New York herald., 1875-01-10


to the rosrrum, pushed aside Mr.. vigcrs, seized
the Speakers chair and gavel. ana declared HIM
self speaker. protest against this arbitrary and
unlawful proceeding was promptly made by men,
bers OF the majority; but Mr.. WIltz paid aiten-
tion to these protests, and on motion from some
one on
THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE
OF the House 1t was declared that one Trezevant
was nominated and elected Clerk or the House.
Mr.. TreZevant az once sprang forwaro and oc-
cupied the Clerks chair amidst the widest con-
fusion over the whole House. Mayor Wiltz then
again on another nomination from the democratic
side OF the House, declared one Flood elected Ser
geant-at- Arms, and ordered q certain number OF
assistants to be appointed. Instantly large
number OF men throughout the Hail. who had
been admitted on various pretexts. such as re-
por,ers and members friends and spectators,
turned down the lapels OF their coats upon which
were pinned blue ribbon badges on which were
printed in gold letters the words Assistant Ser
geant-at.Atms." and the Assembly was IN the
possession OF the minority, ana the White League
OF Louisiana had made good its threat OF seizing
the House. Many OF the assistant aergeant-at-
arms being well known as
CAPTAINS OF WHITE LEAGUE
companies in this city. Notwithstanding the sud-
denness of this movement The leading republican
against this revolutionary action OF the minority,
but all to no purpose. and many OF the republicans
rose and lett the House in a pody, together with
the Clerk, Mr.. Vigers who carried with him the
original roll OF the House as returned by the Sec
retary OF State. The excitement was now very
great and the acting Speaker directed the Ser.
geant.at.Arms to prevent The egress or ngress OF
members and others, and several exciting scuffles
in which knives and pistols were drawn took
place, and for re moments 1t seemed as II blood
shed would ensue. At this juncture Mr.. Dupre
democratic member from Orleans parish. moved
that the military power OF the general govern.
ment be invoked to preserve the peace and that
committee be appointed to wait on General De
Trobriand, the commanding officer Of the United
States troops stationed at the State House, and
request his assistance in
CLEARING THE LOBBY.
The motion was adopted. committee OF five. Of
which Mr.. Dupre was made chairman. was sent to
wait upon General DE Trobriand, and soon re-.
turned with that oflcer, who was accompanied by
two OF his star Olricers. AS General De Trobriand
walked down to the Speakers desk loud applause
burst from the democratic side OF the House.
General De Trobriand asked the acting Speaker II
1t was not possible for him to preserve order with
out appealing to him to preserve order as United
States otficer9 Mr. Wiltz said 1t was not. Where
dressing o few words to the excited crowd,
peace was at once restored. On motion OF
Mr.. Dupre, Mr.. Wltz then, In the name OF the
General Assembly OF tho State oi Louisiana,
thanked General De Trcbrland for his interference
In behalf Of law and order, and the General with
drew. The republicans had now generally with
drawn from the hail. and united in signing peti.
tion o the Governor. stating their grievances and
asking his aid, which petition. signed by nlty.two
legally returned members OF the House, is In my
possession Immediately subsequent to the action
Of Mr.. Willz in ejecng the Clerk Of the old House
Mr.. Blllleu moved that two gentlemen from the
parish Of De Solo, one from Winn, one from Blen.
vile and one from Iberia, who had not been re-
turned by the Returning Board, be sworn in as
members and they were accordingly
SWORN IN BY MR.. wILTz
and took their seats on the noor as members Of
the House. motion was now made that the
House proceed with its permanent organization.
and accordingly the roll was called by Mr.. Treze-
want. the acting CLERK, and Wiltz was declared
Speaker and Trezevant Clerk Of the Rouse. Act.
Ing on the protest made by the majority OF the
House, the Governor now requested the com.
manding general OF the department to aid him In
restoring order and enable the legally returned
members OF the House to proceed with its organ
izaton accol ding to law. This request reason.
wildly the terrible massacres that TOOK place In
this city on the assembling OF the Constitutional
Convention in 1896 at the Mechanics Institute. and
believing that
THE LIVES OF THE MEMBERS
OF the Legislature were, or would be, endangered
in case an organization under the law was ut.
tempted, the posse was furnished. with the re.
quest that care should be taken that no member
OF the Legislature returned by the Returning
Board should be elected from the floor. This
military posse performed Its duty under directions
from the Governor OF the State, and removed from
the ioor Of the House those persons who had been
illegally seated and who had no legal right to be
there, whereupon the democrats rose and lett the
House, and the remaining members proceeded to
effect an organization under tie state laws. In
all this turmoil in which boodshed was Imminent,
the military posse behaved with great discretion.
When Mr.. Wltz, tue usurping Speaker Of the
House, called Tor troops to prevent bloodshed,
they were given MIN. When the Governor OF the
State called Tor posse for the same purpose and
TO enforce the law 1t was furnished also. Had
this not been lone 1t IL my nrm belief that scenes
OF bloodshed would have ensued.