The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-01-13

the interference of the military, ana
requested the members to join N a
protest with him. In response TO
this call all the Conservative mem-
bers stood up and solcmoly protest
ed.
After another protest of tlgers'
successor, General De Trobriand or
dcred Vigers to call the roll.
Speaker Wiltz-The Conserva-
tive members will not answer when
their names are called. CNone an
swered.
Yigers having finished calling the
roll, Mr.. Devices said THAT ifty-four
had answered, two Democrats an
swering by mistake. Ie moved that
the house proceed to business.
Mr.. Vigers wanted to get his seat,
and Mr.. Wilt told him that be could
not, and that there were not men
enough to put him in it.
About tnIs LiuIe there entered the
room a file of fifteen soldiers, fully
equipped, who formed in line outside
the bar. Gen. De Trobriand then
introduced Mr.. II. j. Campbell who
vas giving his assistance in pointing
out the members which he should
eject.
Speaker Wilt protested against
Mr.. Campbell's introduction, when
Gen. De Trobriand received informa-
ton that Gen. Emory was at the
door and would like to see him. He
went out, and almost Immediately
returned. Mr.. Campbell asked to
have the roll called by Vigers, so as
to ascertain the members who were
returned elected by the Board. Gen.
De Trobriand announced that he had
nothing to do with those returned as
elected, but merely was ordered to
eject those not declared by the Re-
turning Board.
Mr.. Campbell then asked Senator
Anderson if be knew any of those
members. Mr. Anderson only knew
J. O'Quinn, of Avoyelles, and Mr..
Campbell led the General up to Mr..
OiOuinn to whom General De
Trobriand made known his business.
Mr.. O'Quinn loudly protested, and
had his protest recorded. In answer
to the General, who asked if he
should lead him out, Nj. O'Quinn APP
pealed to the Speaker. who said that
force must be used. The General or
dered one of his aids TO call a couple
of soldiers, and, under solemn pro-
test, Mr.. 0'Quinn was put outside
the bar, but allowed to remain there.
Mr.. O'Quinn having pointed out
his colleague, Mr.. Vaughn, of Ra-
pides, Mr.. Vaughn was Intercepted
by General De TrobrianG in the same
way. He protested, and his protest
was recorded. He said: SIN the
name of my constituents, the people
of Louisiana, and as a free-born man
of the United States, | protest against
this outrage. They propose to take
me out at the point of the bayonet.
Speaker Wiltz-Let it be done.
Mr.. Vaughn was then put out.
There was some Kisses from the up
per galleries, bnt the Speaker at once
obtained quiet. Mr.. Campbell then
pointed out Messers. Stafford and
Jelfries, of Rapides, c. G. Dunn, Vi
Caddo, and George E. Kelley, OF
VIM, all of whom entered a solemn
protest against the outrage and were
put out.
This closed the election, as there
were no means to ascertain If any
more were present.
General De Trobriand at this time
was requested TO order Mr.. Vigers to
read the roll once more. A few Rad
icals, Ray and Murrill, became very
noisy, but were at once quoted by
Speaker Wilt, Mr.. Murrill apologize
ing and disclaiming any discourtesy
to the Speaker.
MI. Vigers could not get into the
seat to comply with the request to
call the Hv1so osoin Together for re-
organization, be not recognizing the
election of Wilt as speaker.
Speaker Wiltz-In the name of the
people and in the name of Louisiana,
| protest against Mr.. Vigers. He
connot and will not be recognized by
me as Clerk of this House. In pro-
testing, | fulfill a solemn duty to my
people, myself and my colleagues.
Mr.. Vigers proceeded to read,
when Speaker iltz ordered the
Sergeant-at-Arms to remove him from
the stand. Sergeant-at-Arms Floyd
put his hand on Yigers, who refused
and called on General De Trobriand
to protect him.
Mr.. Campbell then said that Vigers
must be protected; that this was NO
organized House-Mr. Wilt no
Speaker. Whereupon, Speaker Willz
ordered him to be removed.
Gen. De Trobriand then ordered
two soldiers to advance to put Vigers
in the Clerks seat, whereupVn
Speaker Wilt rose and said; AS
the legal Speaker of the House OF
Representatives of the State of Louis
lana, | have protested against the
invasion of our hall by the soldiers Of
the United States with drawn bayo-
nets and loaded muskets. We have
seen our brother members violently
seized by force of arms and torn from
US, in spite of their solemn protest.
We have seen a force of soldiers
march up the aisles of the hall of
Represt natives of Louisiana; Lave
protested against this in the rame Of
a once free people, in the name Of
the once free State louisiana in the
name of the Union. The chair of
the only Speaker of the House Of
Louisiana is surrounded by United
States troops. The officers Of the
House are prisoners in their hands
So | solemuly declare that Louisiana
has ceased to be a sovereign State;
that it has no longer a republican
government; and | call on the Rep
reseatatives Of the State to retire
with me, before this show of arms"
The Democratic representatives,
headed by Speaker Wilt, then
marched out of the hall and the State
House, both of which were closed as
soon as the last Democratic Rrpre-
sentatives went out. They ven to
No. II s.. Louis street, followed by
a large crowd, who cbeered them on
their way. Speaker Wilt was loud