The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-26
THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL TUESDAY 2e

of the city of New Orleans, or that it was
intended IN any way TO interfere with the
rights of the colOred citizens, did not appear
nor, on the other hand, did it appear that
there was any extensive secret league
amongst the blacks of any kind. That the
White League would readily cooperate 10
any possible scheme tor
ovERTHRowING THE KELLOGG GOVERNMENT
your Committee do not doubt; so will sub
stantially all the white citizens of Louisiana
Such organizations may be dangerous, and
are very rarely to be justified. The affair of
the 14th of September is an illustration of
this. If Louisiana was a country by itself,
McEnery and his associets would at once be
installed in power; but the conservatives of
louisiana do not propose to fight the
| federal government. Indeed, in our
Judgment, the substantial citizens OF the
state will submit to any fair determination
of the question of the late election, or to
anything by which they can secure firm
and good government. What they seek is
peace and an opportunity for prosperity. To
that end they will support any form of gov
eminent that will afford them just protec-
ton; in their distress they have got beyond
any mere question of political party. AS
to the proceeding on the 4th of January,
about which the committee desired state
ment, we now add that your subcommittee,
on the invitation ofthe democratic conserv-
alive committee of the tate of Louisiana,
visited the hall OF the House OF Representa-
| lives and witnessed the converting of the
louisiana House of Representatives. Mr..
/ Potter refusing to 90 inside the bar re.
manned outside, while Messrs. Foster and
4 Phelps were seated inside and near TO the
speakers chair. Mr.. Potter remained only
until Wilt was elected Speaker, and states
nothing as to what subsequently occurred.
Mr.. Foster remained perhaps an hour, and
Mr.. Phelps remained about an hour longer,
until he learned that the military were
about to enter under Gov. Kellogg's
orders; the doings in the state house
on the Attn of January IS seen by
the committee or subsequently in evidence
were substantially as follows: At II O'Clock,
noon, William Vigers, the clerk of the last
| House, called the assembly to order, and
proceeded to call the roll of members as
made up from the returns of the returning
| board. This roll contained the names of LOG
members, classed by Gov. Kellogg as fifty
three republicans and fifty-three democrats.
But it is claimed that one of the democrats
was not staying democrat. The republic
| cans claimed that one of their members, Mr..
A. G. Cousin, had been kidnapped aud torci
bly, taken to a distant parish to prevent his
presence at tho organic alton of the House.
Your committee were about to investigate
this charge when in public session, it was
claimed by the democratic counsel and adj
mtted by the republican counsel that the
arrest was
UNDER LEGAL PROCESS
and by the hands of the sheriff IL was
further claimed, and not denied. that the
privilege of his office did not shield him
from arrest. The charge was embezzle-
ment. The full House would contain Ill
members, of which SO would be a quorum.
On the first call of the roll 100 answered TO
their names. 1t is claimed bv the republic
cans, and we believe conceded by the demo-
erals, that 80 Of those answering 10 their
names were democrats and % were republic
cans, The instant the clerk Ii Tished the
roll-call several members rose 10 their feet,
but the floor was successfully held by Mr..
Billieu, who said that he nominated l.. A
Wilt as temporary chairman. The clerk
suggested that the legal motion was to elect
speaker. Mr.. Billieu himself, paying
no attention to the clerk, proceeded
hurriedly to put his own motion,
which was received by loud yeas and fol-
Mr.. WilIz sprung instantly to the platform,
took from the clerk the gavel, was quickly
sworn in by Justice Houston, who followed
him to the platform, and then raped the
House, which during this time had been In
great confusion, into a temporary quiet.
Mr.. Wiltz, as temporary chairman, admin
istered the oath to the members en- masse,
who rose to receive 1t. Some member made
motion to elect MIR. Trezevant clerk. Mr.
Wilt put the motion and declared 1t car
ried. TreZevant at once came forward ard
| took the clerks chair. Immediately after,
and with the same haste, Mr.. Flood was
elected sergeant-at-arms, and at once,
whether on motion or not your committee
do not remember, a number of assistant SER
geant alarms were appointed, who promptly
APPEARED WEARING BADGES,
on which was printed, Assistant Sergeant
Iat-arms." While the above mentioned mo-
tions were being put members objected, and
called for the yeas and nays, all of which
was disregarded and pronounced out OF or
der by the acting chairman. Col. Lowell,
republican, made the point of order that the
constitution of the state allowed any two
!, members to call for the yeas and nays on
any motion; but the temporary chairman
decided the point not well taken until mo-
ton for permanent organization wssmade.
Next motion to go into election for a
permanent organization was offered, and
declared premature. Against this rul-
ing the republicans protested. A mo-
ton to seat the democratic members al
legged to be elected in the four parishes,
whose election was referred to the legis-
lature, was Immediately made and carried.
During this stage there was much disorder
The republican members protested, but their
protests were disregarded. These gentle
men then appeared, and were sworn in. A
motion to adjourn was then put and declared
lost. Mr.. Lowell (Rep.) then moved that
the House proceed 10 q permanent organ
ization, and that the vote be taken upon the
roll of the returning board. This motion
was declared lost, Mr.. Lowell protesting.
Mr.. Matthews (Rep) then nominated Mr..
Lowell as temporary chairman, and put the
motion against great confusion and dis
order, and declared it pass d. Mr.. Lowell
declined to serve. The House then pro-
ceeded to elect a speaker. The roll was
called bV Clerk Trezevant, who reported So
votes sr Witt, for Hahn, and one-Mr.
Wiltzs osu-olsnk. This result was ascer
tanned by The clerk by simply keeping a
tally of the members voting as they an
swered to their names; no roll OF members
voting was kept. neither were tellers or
dered, or any snch other means employed
than calling the roll to ascertain the number
voting. This vote includes the five men,
bers who had ceen sworn in to fill vacancies.
During this roll call, when Mr.. Hahn's name
was called, he rose and asked to be