The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-01-13

headquarters MILITARY Dr..


lowing brief report of affairs as they
occurred here in the organization OF
the State Legislature OF Jan 4, 1873
| was not in command of this military
department until 9 o'clock at night on
the 4th instant last, but fully indorse
and am willing to be held responsible
for the acts of the military as conserv-
ators of the public on that day and
during the few days which | was in
the city prior to the 18th of January
The general topic of conversation was
the scenes of bloodshed that were La
BILE to occur OH that day. and repeat
eddy heard threats of disseminating the
Governor, and regrets expressed that
he Was not killed on the 14th of Sep
TENDER last; also. threats of assassin
alton Of Republican members of the
House in order to secure the election
of a Democratic Speaker. | also
knew of the kidnapping, by taaditti,
OF Mr.. Cousin, one of the members
elect of the Legislature.
In order to preserve peace anu make
the State House safe for the peaceable
assembling OF the Legislature, General
Emory, upon the requisition of the
Governor stationed troops In the vi
cinity Of the building. Owing to
these precautions, the Legislature as
sembled in the State House without
any disturbance If she peace. At 10
o'clock William Nigars, the Clerk of
the last House Of Representatives,
proceeded to call the roll, as accord
ing to law he was empowered to do.
One hundred and two legally returned
members answered TO their names.
Of this number fifty-two were Repub-
licans and fifty Democrats
Before entering the House /. A.
Wiltz had been selected, in caucus, as
the Democratic nominee for Sseaker,
and Michael Hahn as the Republican
nominee. Vigars had not finished
announcing the result, when one of
the members (Bellen, of Cafourche,)
nominated l.. A. Wilt for temporary
Speaker. Vigars promptly declared
the motion out of order at that time,
when some one put the question and,
amid the cheers on the Democratic
side of the House. Wilt dashed on to
the rostrum, pushing aside Vigars,
seized the Speakers chair and gavel.
and declared himself Speaker A
protest against these arbitrary and
unlawful proceedings was promptly
made by members of the majority, but
Witt paid no attention to the pro-
tests, and on a motion from some one
on the Democratic side of the House
it was declared that one Trezevant
was nominated and elected Clerk of
the House. Trezevant at once sprang
forward and occupied the Clerk
chair ama2i he wildes confusion over
the wholSshouse. Mayor Wilt then
again, on another nomination from
the Democratic side of the House, de-
clared one Flood elected Sergent at
Arms, and ordered certain number
of assistants to be appointed In
stantly large number of men through
out the hall, who had been admitted
on various pretexts, such as reporters,
and members friends, and spectators.
turned down the lapels of their coats,
upon which were pinned blue ribbon
badges, on which were printed in gold |
letters the words Assistant Sergent-
at farms" and the Assembly was in
the possession of the minority. The |
White League of Louisiana has made |
good its threat of saizina tho House,
many of the Sergent at Arms being
well known as Captains of the White
League companies in the city.
Notwithstanding the suddenness of |
this movement, leading Republican
members had not failed to protest |
against this revolutionary action of |
the minority, but all to no purpose, |
AMI many of the Republicans rose and !
left the House in body, together
with Clerk Nigars, who carried with |
him the original roll OF the House, as |
returned by the Secretary of State.
The excitement was now very great, !
and the acting Speaker directed the |
Scrgent-at- Arms to prevent the egress
or ingress of members or others. and |
several exciting scuffies, in which |
knives and pistols were drawn, took |
place, and for few moments it seemed /
as if bloodshed would ensue. At this |
iuncture, Dupre. Democratic mem
Der, from New Orleans Parish, moved |
that the military Of the general gov
eminent be invoked to preserve peace,
and that committee be appointed to
wait ON General Beforehand. the |
officer of the United !
States troops stationed at the State
House. and request his assistance in
clearing the lobby The motion was
adopted.
A committee of Eve, OF which Dupre
was made chairman, was sent to wait
upon General Beforehand, and soon
returned with that officer. who was
by two of his staff off
GERS. As General Beforehand walk
ed down to the Speak er's desk, loud
applause burst from the Democratic
side of the House. General DeTro-
BRAND asked the acting Speaker if il
was net possible for him to preserve
,rder without appealing to him to
preserve order as United States
,rmv officer. Wiltz said 1T was not:
Shereupon the General proceeded TO
he lobby, and, addressing a few words
% the excited crowd, peace was at
,nce restored. On motion of Dupre.
Wiltz, in the name of the General
Assembly OF the State of Louisiana,
banked General Beforehand for his
Interference in behalf Of law and or
Ter. and the General withdrew.
The Republicans had now generally
from the hall. and united
n signing petition to the Governor.
tatinC their grievances and asking
lis aid. Two petitions. sigued BY
fifty two legally returned members of
he House, is In my possession.
Immediately subsequent to the
iction of Wilt in ejecting the Clerk
f the old House. Billien moved that
wo gentlemen from the parish of De- ]
ote. one from VIM. one from Bien-
lille. and one from Iberia. who had {
lot been returned by the Returning
3oard, be sworn In as members. and ! |
hey were accordingly sworn in by
Viltz, and took their seats on the J