New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-05
THE STATE HOUSE.
Senate.

THE STATE HOUSE.
Senate.
Lieutenant Governor Antoine took his
seat at noon yesterday, and there was a
full attendance of members.
Mr.. Blackburn proposed to elect minor
officers, but little discussion as to the
manner of voting for the officers induced
Mr.. Wharton to suggest q postponement of
action, and he mentioned that q proposition
had been made to give the Conservatives at
least one of the positions.
Mr. Burch expressed wish to proceed at
once, and Mr.. Blackburn said that as the
House had not given any positions to Re-
publicans he could not see why the Senate
should give anything to the opposition.
At half past twelve o'clock the Senate
went into executive session.
When the doors were opened election for
minor officers began.
Mr.. Lamaniere was elected assistant
secretary, leading his opponent, Mr..
Greene, only few votes.
Mr.. j. E. Leet was elected minute clerk,
and Mr.. A. DeBlanc was chosen assistant
minute clerk. Mr.. Calhoun was elected
doorkeeper. Mr.. C. H. Merritt was elected
chief enrolling clerk over Mr.. E. C. Hill.
Mr.. Whitney wished the Senate to au.
thorize the President to appoint short
hand writer and an assistant, but no action
was taken.
Mr.. Robertson offered q resolution to
appoint Joint committee to revise the
records of the last registration, and the
resolution lies over.
Mr.. Wharton offered joint resolution to
appoint q joint committee on city affairs
which went over according to rule.
Mr.. Blackburn offered resolution to
have the senatorial districts newly ap
portioned.
A proposition to have the bill printed was
opposed by some members. A rising vote
favored printing, Mr.. Burch saying that the
subject was one that will require close at
tention.
Mr.. Sypher gave notice that he would
shortly present resolution to abolish the
Louisiana Lottery Company.
Otuer WcmUcTb gave uOtlC0 Iudt lueN
would soon offer important bills.
The above business did not elicit any
debate.
The Senate then adjourned.
House.
Immediately after the calling of the rol
Mr.. Wilt asked that the Speaker instruc
the -sergeant-atarms to open the doors tina
the people might enter, which was done
and the lobby was Immediately crowded.
Mr.. Ray said that at the extra session {
committee had been appointed to investi
gate charges of bribery against certain
members. That committee had reported
generating these members from thu
charges. Since the adjournment the At
torney General had filed information
against these members and others, himsel
included. He hoped, in justice to himsel
and them, that the Speaker would appoin
q committee to investigate the matter.
Mr. Wilt said the member could no
make motion when rising to persona
explanation.
Mr.. Ray said he was only making re
quest.
Mr.. Hahn said he had a motion reduced
to writing, which he sent to the Clerk
desk
Mr.. Wilt offered resolution to appoin
q committee of five to investigate thes'
charges against Messrs. Lowell, Matthews
Yorke, Stewart, Devices, Jones, Jourdain
Parker and Ray, and moved to suspend
the rules.
Mr.. Hahns resolution, offered as sub
stitute, was of similar tenor, and only in
cluded the names of Messrs. Jones, Jour
dain, Parker and Ray, who were no
charged before the previous committee.
The rules were suspended to consider Mr.
Witt resolution.
Mr.. Souer made the point that it wa
incompetent for the Speaker to enter
tain a resolution that included member
who had already been investigated.
Speaker Estilette ruled that if the charges
were the same as previously made, thu
point would be good one. The HOUSE
was similar to grand jury of inquest, ane
1 it would be proper to learn if the charges
were the same.
Mr., Hahn said he offered his substitute tt
place on record his desire to offer no disre
spect to the members Of the previous com
mittee.
Mr.. Wilt said he intended no disrespec
to auy of them. He also desired to do jus
tice to the gentleman charged, just as hi
would do Justice to the State. He move(
to table the substitute.
Some filibustering followed.
Mr.. Ray objected to this. He had come
to this Legislature for the purpose of in
vestigation, and wished it to go on untram
meled. He was in favor of investigating
the acts of all officials, from the Governor
down to the lowest constable, and hoped
the Republican members would vote fo1
the resolution.
The substitute was tabled, and Mr.
Wiltz' resolution adopted.
Mr.. Hahn presented resolution calling
for the appointment of committee Of
seven on apportionment to confer with
similar committee of the Senate.
Mr.. Kidd objected, considering the sub
iect premature. He had seen no census
presented to the House.
The Speaker said it had come with the
Governors message, and was in the pos
session of the House.
Mr., Hahn said it would be the duty Of
the committee to find out if there was one