The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-01-14
SHERIDAN'S STORY.

SHERIDAN'S STORY.
He Justifies the Action of the Military al
| New Orleans-Oficial Report to the
| Secretary OF War.
| HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE
MISSOURI, New ORLEANS, Jan. $40 the Hon
| w. w. Belkrsdp, Secretary of Var Washing
| ton. u. c.: [ have the honor to submit the
folio wing brief report of affairs as they oc-
CURED here in the organization of the State
| Legislature, of Jan 4. 1876. Twas not ID COM
mand OF this military department until 8
| o'clock at night of the 4th inst: but fully in
dorse, and am willing to be held responsible
for, the acts of the military as conservators of
the public peace upon that occasion. During
the few days in which was in the city. prior
to the 4th Of January, the general topic of
conversation was the scenes Ell bloodshed that
were liable to occur on that day: and re-
peatedly heard threats Of assassinatipg the
Governor, and regrets expressed that he was
not killed on the 18th of September
last; also threats of the assas-
sination of Republican members of the House,
in order to secure the election of a Demo
cratic Speaker. I also know of the kldnap-
ping by banditti of Mr.. Cousin, one of the
members-elect Of the Legislature. In order
to preserve the peace and make the State
House safe for the peaceful assembling of
the Legislature, Gen. Emory, upon the
requlsition of the Governor, stationed troops
in the vicinity of the building Owing to
these precautions, the Legislature assembled
in the State-House without any disturbance
of the peace At 10 o'clock, William Vigers
Clerk of the last House of Representatives
proceeded to call the roll, as according to 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 Ms
the Republican nominee. Vigers had not
finished announcing the result when one of
the members Blllleu, of LafOurohe, nomi-
mated L. A. Wiltz 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 and gavel and declared himself
Speaker. A protest against this arbitrary
and unlawful proceeding was promptly made
by members OF the majority; but Wiltz
gave no attention to the protests, and,
on motion from some one on the
Democratic side of the House, it was de-
cared that one Irezevant was nominated and
elected Clerk of the House Trezevant at
once sprang forward and occupied the Clerk
chair amidst the widest confusion over the
whole House. Mayor Wiltz 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-St-Arms, :"
and the Assembly was in possession of the
minority and the White League of Louisiana
made good their threats of seizlng the House,
many of the Assistant Sergeant at Arms be-
ing we'll 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-
lutlonary action of the minority; but al! to no
purpose, and many of the Republicans rose
and left the House in body together with
Clerk Vigers who carried with him the orgi-
nal roll or the House, as returned by the
Secretary of State. The excitement was now
! very great, and the acting Speaker directed
the rgeant-at-Arms to prevent the egress or
ingress of members or others. and several
exciting scutfies, in which knives or pistols
were drawn, took place. For few moments
it seemed as If bloodshed would ensue. At
this juncture, MIR. Dupre, Democratic member
from Orleans parish, moved that the military
of the general government be invoked to pre-
serve the peace, and that committee be
appointed to wait on Gen. De Trobriand, COM
handing officer of the United States
troops stationed at the State House. and
request his assistance in clearing the lob
, by. The motion was adopted. COM
mittee of five, of which Dupre was made
Chairman, was sent to wait upon Gen.
De Trobriand, and soon returned with that
officer, who was accompanied by one of his
staff officers AS Gen. De Trobriand walked
down to the Speakers desk, loud applause
burst from the Democratic side of the House.
Gen. De Trobriand asked the Acting Speaker
if it was not possible for him to preserve
order without appealing to him to preserve
order as United States army officer Witt
said it was not; whereupon the General pro-
ceeded to the lobby, aud, addressing few
words to the excited crowd, peace was re-
stored at once. On motion of Dupre Mr.
Witt, in the name of the General Assembly
Of the State Of Louisiana, thanked Gen. De
Trobriand for his interference in behalf of
law and order, and the General withdrew
The Republicans had now generally with
drawn from the hall, and united in SIGNING q
petition to the Governor, stating their
grievances, and asking his aid, which
petition, signed by ffty-two legally returned
members of the House, is in nv DOS
session. Immediately subsequent to- the
action of Wiltz in ejecting the Clerk C the
old House, Mr. Billleu moved that tl.5 fol-
lowing persons be sworn in and seatod as
members: Messrs John A. Quinn, uf the
Parish of Avayello; J. J. Koran, A. d. Land,
and Thomas R. Vaughan of the Parish of
Caddo; j. Jeffries, R. l.. Luckett and G. w.
Stafford! OF the Parish of Rapides; and VIM.
f. Schwing, of the Parish of Iberia. who had
not been returned by the Returning Board,
and they were accordingly sworn in by Wiltz,
and took their seats on the floor as members
of the House. motion was now made that
the House proceed with it's permanent organ
ization, and accordingly the roll was called by
Trezevant, acting Clerk, and Witt was de-
clared Speaker, and Trezevant Clerk of the
House
Acting on the protest made by the aiority of
the House, the Governor now requested the
| commanding General of the danartmant To aid