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

who were protesting. Many Republicans
left the hall and then came back. Witt
pledged himself, as Speaker, in an address,
! to see that members of both parties and
colors should be treated alike by him. It
was Democratic stump speech. Lowell
having refused to swear in Wilt, Justice
OF the Peace, who was purposely present,
administered the oath. Instantly Witt
called upon all members of the House to
arise, hold up their hands and take the OATH
They did SO, he administering it. To Mr..
Lowell, who called upon Vigers to put
the motion for the election of Speaker,
Witt stated that under Warmoth in 1868
the Republicans had done as the Democrats
had now. To this was replied that there
was then no law On the subject, and that
In order to prevent such acts the law of 1870
had been passed.
Mr.. Ray, colorsd member, called upon
Wiltz to put LowelI's motion to allow Vigers
to put the motion and declare she result for
Speaker He charged Witt with having
Illegally taken the chair. When a niger
thus charged white man with usurpaton
it was TOO much for the Democrats, and they
clamored for his arrest and expulsion. Wilt
I'refused to put Lowell's motion, and at once
swore ia five Democratic members from the
parishes from which no members were &C.
Eciared by the Returning Board.
A motion to adjourn was lost.
| MIR Maf%hnUn pnpuhIiooo afo+ad
the roll showed fitty-three Republicans pres
ent, ff y-one Democrats, and three members
absent, and, as the Democrats claimed to
have elected Speaker, it was preposterous,
and he wanted Lowell's motion put. Witz,
in taking the chair, had do ne revolutiona-
~ act. Under the State Constitution two
members can have call of the yeas and
mays. But here more than fifty members
demanded the call on the election of Speak
er, and it was denied. Witt was then, on
motion, declared the temporary Speaker.
but it was shown that under the Constitu-
tion and laws of Louisiana there could BIZ
mo such thing as temporary Speaker.
l. At,this juncture Mr.. Matthews nominated
on the floor put the motion and declared Lo-
well. Republican, elected ; but he refused
to attempt to take the chair because the act
would be just as illegal as that of Witt
Fierce denunciations and frenzied clamor
fensued, IN the mlusG OF which, and above
all the roar of other threats, rose the voice
of Wilt from the Speakers chair. pro-
claiming, "By the God in heaven, you Re-
pu6lcans can't drive US from this hall or
swerve us from our purposes.n
Lowell said the Republicans had in caucus
decided upon Mr.. Hahn for Speaker, and he
moved that the vote be taken on his election.
! Wilt ordered the Clerk to call the
roll and decide whether himself or Hahn
should be Speaker. Previous to this.
five Democratic members had been
sworn in who were not returned by the
Returning Board, SO that the Democrats
we're sure of electing Wilz, and could
afford to call the roll.
Republicans were advised not to an
swer to their names. One colored men,
bers pressed question of privilege, and
when told to sit down iy Wiltz he
declined, and this so enraged Wilt that
his hand flew to the neighborhood of his
C av-bail, were reyolvers are usually
; kept. The members accused Witt of
putting his hand in his pocket as though
10 draw his pistol, and this Wilt did
not deny. In fact, he looked as though
be wanted to shoot every Republican in
the room At the same time the hands Of
fifty Democratic members were ready TO
aid Witt.
Mr.. Hahn, by consent. while the roll
was being called, addressed the House,
making a conciliatory speech. He de-
nouneed the action Of the Democrats, and
said that by such acts of violence and
fraud they were driving away the sup
port OF all good men that such 1llegal
deeds had brought down to investigate
them, since reconstruction, five Con-
gressional committees, one of which was
then on the { floor. witnesses of their
degradation. He protested against the
Demosratic comp d. etG5.
The CLERK announced Witt elected
Speaker by majority of 80, IS voting.
The oath was then administered to Witt
as permanent Chairman. The members
were then requested to come forward
| by threes and be sworn. Nearly all the
Republicans started to leave the hal, refus.
ing to be sworn.
The Sergent-a:-Arms were directed to
prevent any person from leaving. The
| lohhC waa divided from the floor of the