New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-18

ORLEANS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY IS, 1875.

$680O. This information, the Senator said
was derived from the Auditor, and could
be relied upon. The Senator concluded bis
remarks by again asserting that the bill
under consideration was not a reform
measure.
Senator Blunt contended that it was Q re-
form measure; that even admitting that the
amount of fees collected annually was not
as large as had been estimated, they wore
of sufficient Importance, as shown by the
Auditor, to be taken from an officer who re-
ceives salary of $1,000 year. The
Speaker contended that taking these fees
from the Auditor and placing them in the pub
lilo treasury, or giving them to the Charity
Hospital, was genuine reform. And in case
the fees were not collected, as has been init
mated, through the fault Of the Auditor
the Speaker said the bill might be cohsid
cred as a reform measure, for then the
amount now collected, and which goes into
the Auditors pocket, would remain in the
pockets of the tax collectors.
A vote was then taken, and the bill finally
passed the Senate.
The Senate adjourned to meos to day at
twelve O'Clock n.
House of Representatives.
The House was called to order yesterday
morning at the usual hour by Chief Clerk
Vigers, and Mr. Mathews was requested to
take the chair. Il was one O'Clock before q
| quorum was obtained. Prayer was offered
by the chaplain. Mr.. Souer was called to
the chair. After the correction of the jour
nal of Tuesday, it was approved.
| Mr.. Mathews, from the committee Of CON
ference, submitted House bill No. l04, a
substitute for the legislative appropriation
bill vetoed by the Governor on Tuesday.
The bill is framed to obviate the objections
of the Governor. 1t appropriates $l5s, 900
for the expenses Of the General Assembly
$4,000 for the mileage and per diem of
members; $28,O00 for the contingent ex-
penses of the House; $39, 900 for the mile
age and per diem Of Senators, and $l9 900
for the contingent expenses of the Senate.
Mr.. Pierson. a member of the conference
committee, stated that he did not concur in
the report.
Mr.. Murrell moved that tho further con.
sideration of the bill be postponed until to.
day. and that it be printed and laid on the
desks of members
Mr.. Sartain moved to lay the motion ON
the table. Carried.
Mr.. Mathews moved that the rule be sus-
pended which required the consideration of
this bill in committee of the whole.
Mr.. Mathews moved that the House 20
into committee Of the whole on the appro.
priation bill.
motion to lay the motion of Elr. Mat
hews on the table was lost.
The House then went into committee of
the whole, with Mr.. Keating in the chair.
Mr.. Pierson offered an amendment, which
would have the effect of limiting the power
Of the Auditor to some extent in the issu-
ance Of warrants, and transferring it to the
chairman of the Committee on Contingent
Expenses of the House and the chairman of
the Committee on Auditing and Supervising
the Expenses of the Senate.
In giving his reasons why the amendment
should be adopted, Mr.. Pierson charged the
and executive powers. That Off GER had
heretofore shown favoritism in the payment
of members and creditors. He produced
vouchers issued in favor of pages employed
in the House during the last session, which
the Auditor had refused to warrant for.
Mr. Pierson himself had repeatedly, during
the last summer, presented vouchers which
he had received as contestant from the
parish of Natchitoches, to the Auditor, who
had as repeatedly refused to issue his war
rant on the Treasurer, as he was required
to do by law. He had learned, however,
that certain vouchers which he had been
to dispose Of received different |
treatment at the hands of the Auditor-in
fact, that official had warranted on the |
Treasurer in their favor. A sweeping in |
junction had been obtained or the appro. |
pratiou bill of the last session, which had !
been abused most shamefuliy. The injunc- |
ton had been raised wherever favo,ite of |
the Auditor would be benefited, and in |
other cases it held good. he hoped the |
House would adopt the amendment, and put |
themselves out of the power of Mr.. Clinton.
Mr.. Demas made speech, the general
tenor of which was in favor of the amend.
nent. 1t abounded in facts and figures of
great magnitude. He upheld the Auditor
u refusing to approve many claims-espe-
.ially those of pages and porters who were
appointed in excess of the number pre-
,cribed by law during the last session, but
It the same time he did not believe the Au.
1itor ever had or ever would obey any law.
Mr.. Mathews moved the rejection of the
amendment.
Mr.. Devices moved, as substitute, that
he amendment be adopted, and that the
rise and recommend to the House
he passage of the bill as amended.
Mr.. Murrell favored the amendment He
lad experienced considerable difficulty IN
getting what was due him from the State,
The Auditor would act fair enough during
he session of the Legislature; but when the
adjourned he would do about
70 he pleased That's where the shoe
,inches.
Mr.. Ray also spoke in favor Of the amend
nent.
Mr.. Mathews said that he dis,ked very
much to urge the adoption of an appropria.
ion bill. He vas not satisfied with the bill
which had been vetoed. But this bill he |
rsw up himself. He believed the amend
,eus of the gentleman from Natchitoches
as nm, institutional, and that in case it
as attacL ed to the bill the Governor