New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-01
VOLUME IX.--NO. 255.

SOAAAAAAASCCO VI GuIc0 70 lUVc6IlRhC0 Luc CUuUl.
ton of affairs there.
Mr.. Demas moved to adopt the resolu-
ton, but Mr.. Pipes offered substitute that
| none Of the committee should be members
from the parishes named.
Mr.. Ray opposed the substitute. He said
| it was customary in parliamentary bodies
when scch committees were to be appointed
to select those who had knowledge of the
matters to be Investigated, who were ac-
| qualnted with the parties and who knew
whom to summon and how to secure all the
| information. The House would not get any
investigation if it sent strangers to do tie
| work in this case. What the House should
| desire was all the information of all the
| affairs that had occurred. Those who know
| the people, who have lived there, who
| know better the condition of affairs than
any one who has never visited those places,
should be sent; who at the outset would
kIoE kow to set at work. From the time
this session has opened there has been
nothing talked of but investigation. All
this time he had remained quiet. Half the
session had gone and he had not raised his
| voice, but in all the time not one
| Democratic member had proposed to raise
his voice for the protection of the
| poor people of the Felicianas or their
property. Had there been one sign OF q
| desire to bring the truth Of the condition
that Expresses the people there before this
House, he would still have remained silent.
He had ns personal motives to influence
him. no personal desires to satisfy. 1t was
not even political question. The lawless
ness was universal. He had sat in his seat
till letters had been sent to him calling on
him for relief In those parishes men had
been taken from the lawful authorities by
| organized bands and shot and hanged. 1t
was not alone white men who had done this.
A message from the Senate, and somo
questions by Mr.. Lowell and Mr.. Hammond,
with call to order by Mr.. Mitchell, inter
rupted the speaker.
Mr.. Ray refusing to answer further ques-
tions reiterated his statement that It was
useless to sand strangers to investigate
these matters. II the Democrats chose to
close the mouth of the people, then that
people will hold them responsible. He said
it was not only the colored people that
we're injured by the condition of affairs that
existed. Many poor white man that was
entirely ignorant Of any cause OF otfense,
that had cast every vote for the Democratic
party, that never knew what it was to vote
for Republican, had been driven away.
A poor German immigrant was one instance
Cf the indiscrminate injustice that was
reigning in the parishes. The colored peo-
pie and inofensivs white people were
driven away. The action Of the Lieutenant
Governor, and the Governor himself, would
be held responsible for much Of this. No
investigation conducted by any one who did
not know something of these wrongs could
amount to anything. Accounts are familiar
to all. of men who have been taken from
their homes at twelve and one o'clock and
killed, of wives and children dragged from
their beds. and as men, the House should
desire to know all of this. Let US have a
committee that will make fair and Impair
tal report.
For ryseif, I waive the privilege of being
on the committee. I hope the gentleman
will withdraw the substitute, and that the
Speaker will appoint those best fitted to
protect the interests Of the people OF the
State. am willing that my colleague shall
serve instead. II is not the good people,
white or colored, that have caused these dis
turbances, but desperadoes and rutians
from Mississippi. The people there arahot
responsible, but they do not dare to inter-
fere; they do not dare to raise their voices
because of intimidation, though the eound
of the whip is heard every night. They do
not dare TO even say anything against the
frequent midnight assassinations. The law
has given courthouse, judge and dis
trict attorney, but there is no prosecution
of these offenders.
Mr.. Lowell-Then it is your duty, as the
Representative. to cause them to do their
duty.
Mr.. Ray-Tnat is exactly what l am
after. No parties are arrested; tho courts
are closed against complainants.
Mr.. Hammond-Wiu you serve on the
committee and 60 to your parish!
Mr.. Ray Il am willing. provided l
am given that protection that the law
awards to me.
Mr.. Ray was then interrupted by MIR.
Armstead and Mr.. Dupre, and his time hav-
ing expired, took his seat.
Mr.. Hahn said the question was purely a
political one, on which Republicans and
Democrats would take eldes. The Senate
committee, being principally Republican,
would have majority and minority report.
The House committee, although appointed
with the good intent and justice OF the
Speaker, would have a majority OF
Democrats, and there would then be
two more reports. The House, besides,
would be deprived of the valuable
seryises of these members. Discussion was
unnecessary and time lost. Democrats
would summon Democratic witnesses, and
Republicsns rice rersa. There was no use
investigating the past when there was q
great future before both. They should
unite to bring Louisiana up, to make it .
free, happy and prosperous State. ne
moved to Law the whole subject on the table.
As there was no second the substitute
was adopted.
Mr.. Edwards called up House bill No. lao,
restoring to jackson parish q portion OF
that taken for the parish Of Lincoln.
Mr. Jones presented petition and numer-
1 of kh af PnplOn. lie