New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-24

POLITICAL TOPICS.

POLITICAL TOPICS.
Considerable life was infused into the
Democratic legislative caucus yesterday by
the discussion Of the proposed Wheeler
compromise. The country members took
quite strong ground on the question as to
whether the caucus should be secret or
open to the public. Mr.. Kidd went so far
as to say that it was necessary to 60 into
secret session in order that the caucus
should not be Influenced by the "riff-raft
and mob of New Orleans" Mr.. Kelly very
boldly advised his colleagues to pay no
attention to the "beardless boys, the plug
uglies, the bullies and office-seekers, who
hang around the cOffeehouses of this city"
The Bulletin calls this trough language"
and almost sheds tears in its remonstrance
with these rampageous rural represent
atlves 1t holds forth on the subject in
this style:
More than $500, ,ooo has been cheerfully
contributed by our citizens and merchants
in the struggle. They have shed their
blood in contest with the minions and
janissaries Of Kellogg, and some of their
best and noblest have died in the cause.
They have borne the brunt of the battle and
borne it cheerfully. and they have hitherto
viewed the action of the country parishes
with proud satisfaction. Are these men
now to be taunted by gentlemen from the
country as being "rif raft, plugs, bullies
and 0fice-seekers
The hard headed country people had their
way, however, and went into secret session
by q vote of IS to %.
The following letter from Colonel McEn.
cry was read IN the secret session:
New ORLEANS, February %, 1875.
Hon. Louis A. Witt Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives of the State of Louisiana:
S1R-Perceiving from the newspapers
that the settlement of the Louisiana
troubles, growing out Of the elections of 1872
and 1874, known as the Wheeler cOmpro-
mise, is again submitted by the Hoar sub
committee as an ultimatum to the body
over which you preside, desire, in q very
few words, without discussion of all the
grave questions involved in this settlement,
to express my opinion as to the right and
power Of your House to make any arrange
ment whatever with the opposite party,
fixing the political status of the people, SO
far as the results Of the election Of 1872 are
concerned. In fact, no one but the people
themselves are capable of deciding SO mo-
mentous a question. Yet, if the power is
lodged elsewhere, it must be with those
gentlemen elected to office in 1872.
BY reference to the preamble and resolu-
tion of the Wheeler compromise, It is
quickly discernible that the Conservative
members of the House of Representatives
are asked not only to compromise the re-
suits of the election of 1874, but also of
1872. 1t requires no argument to enforce
this position, nor will l offend the intelli.
gence of the members of the caucus by
offering any.
As the Governor elect, by virtue of the
election OF 1872, / challenge and deny the
right and power of the Conservative mem
bers elect of the Legislature elected in
1874. in caucus sembled, to fix and de-
termine the political status growing out Of
the election Of 1872. If they exercise such
power, it will be but an addition to the
sad chapter OF usurpation Of authority
against which our people have manfully
and gallantlv struggled for the past two
years.
You will perceive that have confined
my remarks to that part of the compromise
affecting the election of 1872, about which l
was never consulted, and, so far as am
able to learn, none of the State officers
elected on the Fusion ticket in 1872, and
none OF the holding over Senators. save one.
Therefore, Mr.. Speaker, l earnestly and
sOlemnly protest against the proposed COM
promise OF the election of 1872, and be-
lieve, sir, in this instance at least, my voice
proclaims the sentiments Of nineteen.twen-
tieths Of that brave and heroically patient
people who, for two years, amid defeat
forth their utter horror and detestation of
the usurpation until their voices have been
heard and are now ringing the death knell
OF Radicalism throughout the broad domain
of this great republic.
am, sir, yeur Obedient servant,
JOHN MCENERY.
During the secret session the Wheeler
was brought forward, and a
very bitter debate ensued. 1t is understood
that it was finally decided and Judge
was telegraphed to that effect, that
the original proposition drawn up by that
gentleman would be adopted in its entirety
On condition that Governor Kellogg would
agree to call an extra session of the Legis
ature.
Without taking into consideration the |
itself, there are objections to
he condition upon which it is accepted that |
will occur to the most superficial observer |
An extra session of the Legislature will en-
all an enormous expense upon the State, |
md can be productive Of very little good
There is ample time yet remaining Of the
egular session in which to enact such re-
orm measures as are necessary, and if the
Democratic members have any particular
measures for the good of the people which
hey desire to have passed, forty-eight Re.
ublican members Of the House have pub. |
cly pledged themselves to their support
7henever the Democrats shall take their
eats.
There is no guarantee that the Democrats
nee in power would not resume the expen-
i've legislation which characterized their
sst session in 1867. This would be q great
alamity in the present impoverished con-
itiOn of the State. In this view of the case
Governor Kellogg would hardly take the
esponsibillty Of calling an extra session Of
10 Legislature.
Amusements.
At the Varieties Theatre this noon Miss
n