New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-19
MEMBER EXPELLED FOB CONTEMPT.

When the eyes of the civilized worle
are watching with anxiety the enforce
ment Of enlarged suffrage now on trial II
the Southern States, it must occasion pair
to the philanthropist and patriot to wit
ness any incident which may affect the
worlds opinion upon this subject. Espe.
cially is it important to the Republicans
| of Louisiana, to whom is committed the
exclusive administration of the State gov.
eminent, to demonstrate that it has not
fallen into unworthy hands. The exer-
else Of this power depends upon such
strict attention to duty that even the
proper punishment of a few refractory
representatives may impair the legality of
public acts 1t should be remembered,
therefore, by each member that much de-
ponds upon the integrity and order of the
body to which he belongs, and that any
violation of either will be fraught with
consequences too serious to be trifed
with.
Every allegation of incompetency or
misconduct will be brought forward in
the campaign of 1876. Everything that
defamation and carricature can effect may
be apprehended, and there can be no
guarantee that the opposition may not
acquire such power in Congress as to re-
peal or limit the very charter Of suffrage
awarded the poorer people of the nation.
1t would be very sad result of all the
blood and effort to secure these fran
chises if they should be forfeited from the
failure of few men representing these
franchises to rise to the standard of Amer
can Intelligence and virtue. We will
apprehend no such misfortune. But
members of the Legislature must obey
those rules which the wisdom of sages
and of centuries have enacted for the gov
eminent Of deliberative bodies. 1t may
be hard to bear an actual or imaginary
neglect of colleague or chairman, but
there is remedy for every wrong, either
in the body, by law, or out of it by what
ever means gentlemen may adopt to adjust
such differences. But the country should
not suffer for the ungovernable temper
which will violate all rule for conduct
and individual redress.
There is no sanction in the example of
any, however exalted. Senator Foote |
once drew a pistol in open Senate upon
Senator Benton, who dramatically threw |
open his cloak and shouted to the inter-
posing throng, ''Let the assassin shoot {"
In the Nebraska Legislature one member
replied to the assertions of another with
bowie knife. Judges, speakers and COL
leagues have been repeatedly insulted in
American Legislatures and courts. It was
even made subject of Naturalization.
n the burlesque of 'John Smith" vio-
ent quarrel arises in an Indian coun Gil
which is checked by the chief, who asks,
'Confound you, do you think you are in
Washington
But such abuses practiced elsewhere
Constitute no defense for similar violence
lere. 1t should be remembered by Re-
publican legislators that the Democratic
xample given affords no protective prece-
ent for similar misdeeds com mitted by
and especially by those of
olor.
1t is to be expected that the member of
be Legislature who has been com mitted
D prison for violation of the rules of the
louise to which he belongs may atone by
ue acknowledgment for the insult to the
eliberative dignity, and that himself and
theirs will remember the consequence Of
UGH insult, not only to the cause of free
but to the welfare of the
.epublican party in Louisiana.