Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-01-21
THE STATE HOUSE AFFAIR.

In the enforcement of the State
laws the officers and troops of the
United States may well have sup
posed that it was their duty to act
when called upon by the Governor
for that purpose. Each branch of a
Legislative assembly is the judge of
the election and qualification of its
own members, but if mob or body
of unauthorized. persons seize and
hold the Legislative hall in tumultu-
Gus and riotous manner and so pre-
vent any organization by those legal
ly returned as elected, it might be-
come the duty of the State Executive
to interfere, if requested by ma
jority of the members elect, to sup
press the disturbances and enable the
persons elected to organize the House.
Any exercise Of this power would be
justifiable under most extraordinary
circumstances, and it would then be
the duty of the Governor to call upon
the constabulary, or if necessary, the
military force of the State. But
with reference to Louisiana, it is to
he borne in mind that any attempt by
the Governor to use the police force
of that State at this time would have
undoubtedly precipitated a bloody
conflict with the White League, as it
did on the 14th of September.
There is no doubt but the presence
Of the United States troops on that
occasion prevented bloodshed and the
loss of life. Both parties appear to
have relied upon them as conserva-
tors of the public peace. The first
call was made by the Democrats, to
remove persons obnoxious to them
from the legislative hall; and the
second was from the Republicans, to
remove persons who had usurped
seats in the Legislature without le-
gal certificates authorizing them to
seats, and in sufficient number to
change the majority. Nobody was
disturbed by the military who had
legal right at that time to occupy a
seat in the Legislature. That the
Democratic minority of the House
undertook to seize its organization by
fraud and violence; that in this at
tempt they trampled under foot the
law; that they undertook to make
persons not returned as elected |
so as to create majority; |
that they acted under precOncerted |
plan, and under false pretenses in
troduced into the hall men TO support
their pretensiOns by force if neces-
sary; and the conflict, disorder. and
riotOus proceedings following are
facts which seem to he well estab-
lished; and ] am credibly informed
that these violent proceedings were a
part of a premeditated plan to have
the House organized in this way, rec
ognize what has been called the Nc
Emery Senate, then to deposc Gov
ernor Kellogg, and so revolutionize
the State government. Whether it
was wrong for the Governor at the
request of the majority of the mem
OCAo tCOutHCu do ClCCOCtt W tuc E1UISe. |
to use such means as were in his
power to defeat these lawless and
revolutionary proceedings, is per-
haps debatabie question; but it is
quite certain that there would have
been no trouble if those who now
complain of illegal interference had
allowed the House to be organized in
l lawful and regular manner. When
hose who inaugurated disorder, war
ind anarchy disavow such proceed
ugs, it will be time enough to con-
lemn those who, by such means as
hey have. prevent the success of
heir lawless and desperate schemes.
IMMUNITY OF MURDER.
1t is deplorable fact that political
crimes and murder have been COM
nitted in Louisiana which have gone
lnpunished,and which have been JUS {
lhed or apologized for, and which
must rest as reproach upon the {
state and country long after the pres
mt generation has passed away. It
have no desire to have United
states troops interfere in the domes- In
ic concerns of Louisiana or any other /
tate. On the 9th Of December last, I