The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-01
THE SOUTH.
Testimony before the Congressional Conn
miitee ON Louisiana Affairs.

Testimony before the CongressIonai Conn
mittee ON Louisiana Affairs.
New ORLEANS, Dec. Stat Ills o'clock
the Congressional committee reaSsembled in
room of the U. S. Circuit Court. The first
witness called was Gen. F. N. Ogden, who said:
l am the commanding officer of the White
League in this city. The object and purpose of
the White Leagues are already defined In their
constitution. The constitution was here sub
mitted and,read. The witness continued: Our
organization is simply for defensive purposes.
The condition of affairs in Louisiana called for
such an organization. 1t was established in
July, 1874 and we called it white league be-
cause we could only rely on the white people in
our condition. With political offices we have
nothing to do. In the city of New Orleans our
oiganized out of these two regiments OF IN
fantry and one of artillery We have officers
for these regiments Gov Penn authorized me
to organize militia when he was acting Gov
ernor. was under Gov Penns orders on the
18th of September. Some of the organizations
now are armed. cannot say how much, as l
have not received my reports. We have no ar
tillery only what we made ourselves for the
18th of September. Some OF the arms were
captured by parties outside of my command.
Those Immediately under my command took
none of the captured guns Some of these
outside parties who took the guns have since
reported, and claim to be members OF the White
League. don't know the strength OF the
League in the parishes.
To Mr.. Professionalism on the organi-
cation of the League it assumed military
character. We had no army. The guns held
by the members of the Crescent City White
League were obtained by themselves. We have
had very irregular meetings since the l4th OF
September. We have other companies whom J.
shall meet often, 1 have issued no orders since
the 14th of September regarding drill. The
officers of the company attend to that. have
sometimes prevented drill. We have no armo-
ries that know of. The League has not met
lately for discussion. The last meeting was
about two weeks ago; then called meeting
of the Crescent City White League Club. The
To Mr.. Potter-I put out men on election
day to prevent disturbance, as anything OF that
kind would be construed into intimidation.
The organization grew out of the condition OF
affairs here. Once people were in terror OF
the metropolitan police, who committed out
RACES, and were sent out into the parishes to ex-
ecute the orders of usurpaton. The metrOpO-
Titan brigade were alarmed. They turned out
on the streets and drilled with arms.
To Mr.. Foster-On the 14th of September we
went out on the streets to get arms belong
ing to us that were on board ship. The po-
lice were on the levee and as we were going to
get the arms was informed of the advance OF
the police. The White League was not an Or
ganization formed for the purpose, of help
parties in preserving the peace. The meeting
that day demanded the abdication of the gov
eminent was acting in concert with the
people. Que of the purposes of the organiza-
ton on the morning of the 14th was to get
these arms. The league did not know my pur
poses. acted, not with the committee of 20,
but with committee of the citizens. My pur-
pose that morning was peaceful one.
To Mr.. Potter-We surrendered the state
house to Col. Brooks. During PENIS govern
ership the city was perfectly quiet. Politics
are pretty much divided on the color line. We
made efforts to gain over some of the colored
VOTE but used no intimidation. Ii the federal
government had not lnterfered we would have
perfect quiet. During the few days of the
Penn government do not believe it would
have been prudent for man TO express SYM
pathy with the kellogg government on account
of the excitement.
Gen. Ogden was asked, on the conclusion of
his evidence by Mr.. Potter to furnish the
names of the negro men who called on him for
protection, which he did.
GEN. Sherden and staff arrived here last
night