The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-01-15
SHERIDAN'S STORY.
He Justines the Action OF the Military Mt
New Orieans-Omciat Report Ia the
Secretary OF War.

New Oricans-Omciat Report Ia the
Secretary OF War.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE
MISSOURI, NEW ORLEANS Jan. SO the Hon
W. ". Belkndp, secretary Of War. Washing
ton. u. O.: l have the honor to submit the
folio owing brief report of affairs as they oc-
CURED here in the organization CT the state
Legislature. OF Jan 4. 1875. 1 was not IN COM
msnd CT this military department until 9
O'Clock at night of the 4th inst; but 1 fully in
dorse, and am willing to be held responsible
for, the acts of the military as consorvators of
the public peace upon that occasion. During
the few days in which / was in the city, prior
TO the 4.h of January, the general topic of
conversation was the scenes ct bloOdshed that
were liable to occur on that day; and re-
peatediy heard threats Of disseminating the
Governor, and regrets expressed that he WAS
not killed on the l4th of September
last also threats of the assas-
sination of Republican members of the House,
in order to secure the election OF Demo-
cratic Speaker. | also know Of the kdnap-
ping by banditti OF Mr.. Cousin, one OF the
memb ars-elect of the Legislature In order
ia preserve the peace and make the State
House safe for the peaceful assembling of
the Legislature, Gen Emory, upon the
requisition of the Governor, stationed troops
III the vicinity of the building. Owing to
these precautions, the Legislature assembled
in tho State-H Juse without any disturbance
Clerk of the last House Of Representatives.
proceeded TO call the roll, az according 20 law
he was empowered to do. One hundred and
two legally -returned members answered to
their names. OF this number fifty-two were
Republicans and fifty Democrats
Before entering the House, l.. A. Witt
had been selected in caucus as Democratic
nominee for Speaker, and Michael Hahn as
the Republican nominee. Vigers had not
finished announcing the result when one OF
the members, BillIeu. Of Lafourehe, nomi-
mated l.. A. Witt for temporary Speaker.
Vigers promptly declared the motion out of
order at that time, when some one put the
question, and amid cheers on the Democratic
side of the House Witt dashed on the ros-
trum, pushed aside Vigers, seized the Speak
er's chair aud gavel, aud declared himself
Speaker protest against this arbitrary
and unlawful proceeding was promptly maGo
by members of the majority; but Witt
gave no attention to the protests, and,
on motion from some one on the
Democratic side OF the House, il was de-
clared that one Irrelevant WAS nominated and
elected Clerk Of the House Irrelevant at
once sprang forward and occupied the Clerks
chair amidst the widest confusion over the
whole House. Mayor Witt then again. on
another nomination from the Democratic side
of the House declared one Flood elected Ser
geant- at Arms, and ordered certain number
of assistants to be appointed.
Instantly large NUMBER OF men through
out the hail, who had been admitted on various
pretexts, such as reporters and members,
friends and spectators turned down the
lapels OF their coats, upon which was pinned
blue ribbon badges, on which were printed in
gold the words, assistant Sergeants- Arms -
and the Assembly was in possession of the
minority and the White League of Louisiana
made good their threats of SEEING the House.
many of the Assistant Sergeant alarms be-
ing well known as Captains of the White
League companies in this city. Notwlth-
standing the suddenness of this movement,
leading Republican members had not failed
TO protest again and again against this revo-
lntiopary action OF the minority; but al to no
purpose. and many of the Republicans rose
and left the House III q body, together with
Clerk yigers, who carried with him the origi-
nal roll of the House, as returned by the
Secretary If State. The excl ement was now
very great, and the acting Speaker directed
the Ssrgeant-at-AIms to prevent the egress or
in0ress of members or others, and several
exciting tcufier, in which knives or pistols
were drawn. took place. For few moments
IL seemed Az il bl0odshed wouli ensue. At
this iuncture. Mr. Dupre, Democratic member
from Orleans parish, moved that the military
of the general government be invoked to pre-
serve the peace, ana that committee be
appointed TO wait on Gen. De TrobTiand, CON-
manding officer of the United States
troops stationed at the State House, and