Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-07

G0TERN0H HELL0GGS STATE.HENT
The following is the statement CT Governor
Kellogg in relation to the Louisiana legislature,
we find it in special TO the New York Herald.
was anxious for quiet and peaceful organize
ton of the General Assembly, did not attempt,
during the session Of the Returning Board. to in
tiuence in any manuer its proceedings, When il
made its returns leaving the House close the Sen
ate having tw thirds republican nembers hoped
for an amcable settlement Of all dlssensions.
asked the Congressional Committee TO investigate
the election OF 1872, and was willing to abide by
their decision. Last evening committee waited
upon me and rogue sted that the democratic mem
bers retu ned elected as well as their contest
ants, he allowed to come into the State House al
nine o'clock 4. NJ. aud hold caucus in one of the
rooms. | consented cheerfully to this arrange
m snt with the understanding that there would
be attemp upon the part of those CO atestants
| not returned by the Board to prevent by force
| regular and legal organization Of the House.
iusi ted that our parry should put III nomination
81 unexccptionable nan for Spe aher. Ex-Governor
Hahn VINO elected by both parties from ST.
Charles parish, was tncn nominated. When the
hour Of meeting arrived it was found that three OF
the oppo,i ion members were absent and two OF
the three Of our IN mbers, who had been detained,
had succeeded in reaching the State House. We
thus had fifty two members present, and were
confident Of the support OF two OF the opposiuon-
a clear majority of three. The law provides that
| the House supply list Of members returned as
elected. This had been done, and upon the as
sembling Of the House the Clerk proceeded, in
conformity with law, to call the roll Def re he
| had finished and announced the result one of the
opposite sprang to his feet and moved that Willz
| be made temporary Speaker. The vote was put
| BY this member and declared carried, whereupon
Wiz, with two or three men, sprung upon the
platform, wrencl ed the gavcl from the Clerk and
declared himself Speaker of the House. Several
| d .mocrstc contestants Immediately rushed for
ward, and were hurriedly sworn in, the regular
c ERIK being pushed from the platform with the
Hist. ofregularly returned members in his posses
| sion, and which he retained. Some thirty or forty
desperate characters had succeeded in ehecting an
entrance to the hall. euding the vigilance of the
police, who were Immediately declared sergeants-
alarms, throwing open their Goats and exhibiting
prepared badges. The hall was Immediately
thrown into confusion, and prepared roll of the
d, mocrats and their contestants was commenced
to be called when the republicans attempted to
leave the hall Mes. of them succeeded in getting
out. Three or four were prevented, as they say,
and threatened with blows and pistols, pushed 10
the Speakers desk and compelled to be sworn ill.,
As soon as possible they also left the hall. Ia the
meantime protest to me was prepared by fifty
two members, a clear majority of those regularly
returned and who were then present in the Stale
House at the first attempt ct organization. This
protest set forth the character OF the rcvouona-
nv proceedings; the forcible dispiacing Of the
Clerk; The swearing in Of the contestants, &C., in
detail. In the meantime. the Senate had organ
lied with twenty-eix Senator'S oht OF the whole
thirty six. Upon receiving this protest ordered
a squad Of police to appear in front OF the hall
door, then closed by the democratic sergeants-at-
arms, and demand admittauce. Their number
| was found considerably augmented by a number
OF persons who had, during the confusion, slipped
in as reinforccments. The streets began 10 be
blocked up all around the building, and imme-
diately telegraphed to General Emory at the Gus
tom House, requesting him to move his troops TO
aid the police, about fifty ia number, in clearing
the street in front Of the State House. This was
done, troops occupying the centre Of the street 1t
was now evident that resistance would be made to
the police entering tae hall. The crowd was aug
menting every moment and danger of violence
constantly increasing. telegraphed, requesting
that small detachment Of military be brought in
to the building to AID the police orders being Civ
| en- that no member returned elected nor any
regular officer Of the Legislature should be inter-
fered with, but that the mob and persons not re-
turned elected should be removed from the
| hoor OF the house. This was done, and the hall
cleared Of all but the regular members and Of
fcers. The Clerk proceeded again to call the roll,
winch he still retained, announcing quorum
present. The ffty-two republicans and several
| vi Tie Uppo :ition remained IN the hall. The vote
proceeded for Speaker and Hahn received fifty
| four votes, which was one majority OF the whole
number returned elected. We have good con-
| servalive Speaker. | am opposed TO anything like
questionable measures, such as unseatng any OF
| the opposition entitled TO their seats. am conf
dent that a number of them will Immediately come
into our House. hope for some speedy solution
OF our dfe ilties, eitier by action OF Congress or
Otherwise. 1 AN still willing TO let the CJagres-
sional { ,mmirtee decide to the legal govern
ment, and il it is decided that was not elected in
| 1872 shall be only too glad 10 retire Iearnestly
hoped for an amicdble organz alton and regret the
proceedings of to-day, but became satisfied that
nothing short of revolution would satisfy the op-
| posi- ion. cannot see how, as long as nam
tain our present attitude, any serious difficulty can
prevail and hope in lew days that wiser coun-
eds will prevail.