Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-01-21
SHERIDAN,S STORY.
He Justihes the Action Of the Military at
New Orleans-Omcial Report to the
Secretary OF War.

He Justifies the Action Of the Military at
New Orleans-Omcial Report TO the
Secretary OF War.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE
missouri. NEW ORLEANS, Jan. $40 the Hon
w. w. Belkndp, Secretary of War. 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. 1875. Twas not IN 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 1 was in the city, prior
to the 4th of January, the general topic of
conversation was the scenes eff bloodshed that
were liable to occur on that day; and re-
peatedly heard threats of assassinating the
Governor, and regrets expressed that he was
not killed on the I4th 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. also know Of the kdnap-
ping by banditti Of Mr.. Cousins 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
requisition 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 legslly-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 as
he Republican nominee. Vigers had not
finished announcing the result when one OF
the members, Billeu. Of Lafourche, nomi-
mated l.. A. Witt 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 OH the ros-
trum, pushed aside yigers, 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 Wilt
gave no attention to the protests, and,
on motion from some one on the
| Democratic side of the House. it was de-
| ciared that one Trezevant WAS nominated and
elected Clerk of the House Trezevant at
once sprang forward and occupied the Clerks
| chair amidst the widest confusion over the
whole House. Mayor Witt 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
lspeis 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-A be-
ing well 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-
lutionary 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 origi-
| nal roll OF the House, a. returned by the
Secretary of State. The excitement Was now
| very great, and the acting Speaker directed