Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-01-05
The Louisiana Troubles.

At noon the Chief Clerk called the House to
order and proceeded to call the roll. After
Gushing and announcing that there we're one
HUNDRED and lwo members, a quorum, present,
a motion was Immediately made that Hon. L.
A. Wilt, Of Orleans, be made temporary
chairman, and Mr.. WIZ immediately took
the chair. Here the utmost confusion prevail
ed. The Speaker appointed a sergeant-at-arms
aud temporary clerk. Several montlons were
made and the confusion increased, about nifty
mcmbers yelling at the top ct their Volces
Finally order was restored, aud the chairman
made speech, stating that he would treat all
members alike, of whatever party or color.
Colonel Lowell protested against the manner
of the temporary organization. Speaker Witt
replied that the manner OF organIzauon was
Identical with that of 1868, in which Lowell
participated.
Five members not returned by the board
were declared by resolution members OF the
House aud took their seats.
a motion was then offered to 60 into per-
manent organization. This raised a commo-
tiou among the Republicans but when the
further motion was made to seat the members
from the contested parishes there was great
excitement, accompanied with shouts and ex-
CARNATIONS of all kinds, which were fearful to
hear Mr.. Murrel protested against Mr.. Wilt
as chairman, and sligmatIzcd the course pur-
sued 10 placing him there as revolutionary.
The motiJn was then put to admit the mem
bers from the contested parishes, reserviug the
matter of contest for the Legislature, and it
was carried amid the widest excitement and
gestcua,ions. Upon the Radical side to such
Il point did the excitement reach that the SER
geant-at-arms was called upon to seat a mem
Der aud preserve order. The newly. declared
members from the contested parishes 10 ques-
ton, viz: Bcuvile, WiuD, De Soto and Grant
we're then duly sworn in by the Speaker. A
motion was then made to adjourn, which fail
ed. The yeas aud nays were called for, and
the-Spcakcr explained that yeas and nays were
not in order until such time as permanent
organization became effected, and they had not
arrived at that point.
The motion was then taken and carried with
great shouting aud excitement to go luto per-
nlauepl organ;zatio5 A. Willz and ax Gov
error Hahn were accordingly put in nomination.
Before the clerk proceeded TO call the roll Mr..
Matthews moved from his seat, that MIR.
Lowell be elected permanent speaker. This
excited storm in the House. but the motion
to elect perm ancnt speaker viva voce being
out Of order, the speaker so announced and
quoted the House down after considerable
muscular power.
The call was then proceeded with, and upon
its conclusion the following result was aunounc-
ed: Wihz Sc; !'iahu, =; blauk !. :.
A quorum having voted and Mr.. Wilt hav-
ing received the majority OF votes, he was ac-
coraiugly declared elected. Judge Houston
then administered the oath of Office.
The Speaker then addressed the House,
while tho Radicals continued to gradually with
dr. W. He said in accepting the RESPONSE
bic position you confer upon me-, sincerely
thuuk you 1t is responsibility would like
to see another more able than occupy, but |
will discharge my duties to the best of my
ability and the 6nger Of scorn shall not be
pointed at inc for dishonorahle acts when |
retire"
Mr.. Ray addressed the Speaker on ques-
ton of privilege, and asked leave 10 retire ron
the House, and eutcrcd protest against Its
organizltlnu.
The Speaker then charged the sergeant-at-
arms to allow 20 member to go out.
Mr.. 7. J. Trezevant was then put in nomi-
nation for clerk, and was elected
The swearing 10 OF members then commenced,
and the Radical endcavored to move out of
the House, aud the sergeant alarms sought
to prevent them. Several scuf1es ensued,
whcn on motion Of Mr.. George 2. Duprc,
General Dc rrobraud was sent for, aud
cleared the lobby Of police and spectators at
the Speakers request.
General De Irobriaud, who had been ab-
sent fer about quarter of an hour, appear
cd again at the House accompanied by two
officers ct his staff 4 file of about twenty
soldiers had been marched in the corridor
Leading to the hall, ADD at the head OF the
large staircase ia the State-housc the police
were also drawn up in force. General De
at once stepped up to Speaker
Wilz aud asked that Mr. Figers, the former
clerk of the House, should read letter he
held 10 his haud. Mr. Treuzvant, the clerk
elected, objected; when the General stating
that he was unable to judge who was clerk,
asked permission to have the letters Of Gov
eruor Kellogg read by his adjutant which
was grauted
That officer then read two letters, one Of
which stated TO the General that an illegal
body was sitting as the House Of Represen-
tatives, and that Mr.. Viger's clerk would
furnish him with a list of those members
who had been duly elected and as such re-
turned by the returning board. The other
letter contained request to Gen. De Trobriand
to eject those members who had not been
returned as elected by the board.
Speaker Wiz protested, and told the Gene
raj that this was legally organized body
Gen. De Trobriand replied that he was
soldier, aud only second 10 command, and that
he had to obey he orders of his superior, Gene
raj Emory, who had ordered him to obey the
instructions Of Governor Kellogg"
Speaker Nitz said Il desire to state to
you again that this House, duly elected, has
organized itself by eectiog me as Speaker,
Captau Floyd as geant.at-arms, and MIR.
Trczvant as clerk. After organization We have
seated five gentlemen whose cases have been
referred TO US by the returning board. Will
you eject these mcn?'
Gcucral De Trobrand said: Mr.. Speaker, |
am an officer and must obey orders. [ came
here alone. thought that my presence
would be sufficient to have these orders obeyed."
Speaker Wil'z replied 81 am thankful to
you, General, for that. While | recognize in
you gentleman and officer, and while We sub