The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-01-14

!! This gave rise to. q 0lS0rInfly dlSclssOl, III
which Mr. Murreil, of Madison, addressed the
chair in a disrespectful ami violent tone, the
Sergeant-at-Arms was ordered to seat the MEM
Der, and did so.
| The Republican members protested, demand
ing a division OF the question, and the ayes no
noes, but their motions were overruleC. The
vote was called viva voee and the resolution de-
clared adopted, and the gentlemen Immediate
ly appeared and were sworn in.
| The protest of the Republican members was
again renewed, and the chair again refused to
allow a call Of the yeas and nays on the ques-
| ton Of the admission of the members whose
claim to seats had been rejected by the Return
ing Board.
! The motion to 90 into the election Of perma-
nent officers was rem wed, and the CHAIR an
nounced the following nominations
| T.. A. Wilt. Of New Orleans.
| Miceal Hahn of ST. Charles.
| Mr.. Lowell.-lf you are resolved to adhere
to this Unlawful and arbitrary course, must
enter my protest, and call upon the Republic
can members not to vote.
| BY direction OF the Speaker the clerk COM
menced to call the roll on the election of per-
manent Speaker, but no one voted except the
Democrats, rs far as could be heard.
Immediately upon Speaker Witt ordering
| that the roll be called for the purpose OF ad-
| ministering the oath to the members, furore
arose. The Republican members positively re-
fused to obey, and showed a desire for u hasty
| exit. Speaker Wilt at once ordered the Ser
geant-at-Arms to refuse to permit any member
i to leave. The colored members misconstrued
the ORDER and attempted to forcibly effect an
| exit, and upon being refused a scuffie ensued ::
| pistols Were drawn BY both sides, and it was
only through the exer.ions OF some White Lea
guers. the assistant Scrgeant-at-A- ms, and
Captains Lawer and Ray, of the police force.
4 that conflict was avoided.
| nIynrW n yrrlf r.
tried to argue with the excited Republicans,
who paid no heed to his words.
| A member moved that an appeal be made to
! the United States Military authorities to inter
vene and protect the peaceof the Honse. The
motion was adopted, and a committee was de
spatched to wait upon Gen: De Trobriand and
| communicate the desire OF the House. In fe
moments the General appeared, with his staff,
and was received with applause. When he
reached the Speakers stand, MIR. Wilt said the
House had sent for hinsto afford them proper
protection against yiolence and disturbance Of
the peace.
The General desired to know what he was
expected to do, saying that it was bis desire to
aid in maintaining perez and order.
The Speaker said it was desired that he would
ask the dsorderly to retire.
Gen. De Trobriand-Have you commanded
them to leave?
The Speaker will do so in your presence.
The Speaker then gave orders to the Serge
fant-at-Arnls to clear the lobby, After some
little further disorder it was announced that
the lobby was clear and order restored. Speak
er Witt thanked the General, and said that his
actioi and presence had certainly prevented
bloodshed.
BY this time nearly all the Republican men,
bers had left the hall, leaving the Democrats in
full possession. Besides the Democrats the fol-
lowing Republicans remained in their places
and swore in NJ. Hahn, VIM. Murrell, Chas.
Drury and S. Thomas.
| The Times report Of what occurred afterward
does not differ essentially from the reports re-
ceived by telegraph.
Corresponding with this report of the pro-
ceedings of the Legislature from the Times, we
give below detailed statement from General
/ Sheridan
WASHINGTON, D. c., January 9.-The fol-
lowing was received at the War Department TO-
day:
ssHsadqua,ters Military Dic,sion Of Mssou-
ri, Nsw Orleans, La. January, s, 1875.
To Hon. ". " Bsztnap. Secretary of Var,
WasAiug!on, D. c.: Ihave the honor to sub
init the Following brief report of affairs as they
occurred here in the organization of the State
Legislature on January 4th, 1875: | was not
in command of the military department till 8
o'clock on the 4th inst, but fully endorse and
am willing to be held responsible for the acts of
the military as conservators of the public peace
upon that day. During the few days in which
[ was in the city prior to the 4th of January the
general topic of conversation was the scenes of
'hloodshed that were liable to occur on that day,
and repeatedly heard threats OF assassinatnS
/ the -Goyer.ar aud regrets expressed that he was
not killed on tie l4th of December. last also
threats OF the assassination of Republican MEM
bers of the House in order to secura the election
If Democratic Speaker. also knew OF the
kidnapping by the banditti of Mr. Concinier,
one OF the members elect of the Legiaature.-
In order to preserve the peace and to make the
Statehouse safe for the peaceful assembling at
tile Legislature, Gen. Emory, upon the reanisi-
ton of the Governor, stationed troops in the vi
cinity Of the building. Owing to these precan-
tionS the Legislature assembled in the State
house without any disturbance of the peace at
u o'clock. VIM. Vigers. the 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 legally returned
members anwered to thzir names. OF this
number 81 were Republicans, and 50 were
Democrats. Before entering the House Mr.. L..
A. Witt had been selected in caucus as Demo-
cratic nominee for speaker, and Mr.. Michael
Hahn as the r publican nominee. Visers had
not vet finished announcing the result when
hone of the members, Mr.. bilcau. of LafoHreh,
NOMINATED Mr. l.. A. Wiltz for temporary
speaker. VlynrS promptly declared Tue ilfltlon
out OF orer at the tim, when some one put the
question, and. amid the cheers of the Denocra-
tic side OF the house, Mr.. Witt dashed to the
rostrum, pushed aside Mr.. Vigers. and seized
the Speakers chair and gavel. and declared
himself Speaker
IA protest against this arbitrary and unlaw-
full proceeding was promptly made by the mem
bers of the majority; but Wilt paid no atten-
ton to their protests. and upon mo'ien OF
some one on the Democratic side OF the House,
declared one 'rrezerant nominated and elected
clerk of the House. Mr.. Trezerant at once
lsprang forward and occupied the clerks desk,
amidst the widest confusion over the whole
House. Wilt then again, on another nominal
ton from the Democratic side of the House. de-
cl.red one Floord elected sergeant-at-arms, and
orlered that q certain number of assistants be
appointed. Instantly q large number of men
throughout the hall who had been admitted on
various pretexts. such as reporters and mem
bers' friends and spectators, turned down the
lappels Of their coats, upon which Were pinned
blue ribbon badges. on which were printed in
cold letters the words assistant Sergeant-at-
| Arms and the Assembly was in the possess
sion of the minority, and the White League of
Louisiana had made goods its threats of Selling
the House many OF the assistant sergeants-at-
arms being we'll known captains OF White
League companies in this City.
| Notwithstanding the suddenness OF the move-
ment. the leading Republican members had not