The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-02-09
HOUSE RESOLUTIONS ON THE.
ELECTION BILL.

0th INST says:
The most marked feature of the
occasion in the passage Of these reso-
lutions by the entire Conservative
vote Of the House, resolutions which
have only to be read TO have their
peculiar force and meaning and per-
feet Appropriateness properly :appre-
ciated, was that they we're offered
and seconded by the two gentlemen
who were the most leading Demo
Gratis who supported the Wheeler
compromise movement, Hon. E. E.
Kidd and the Hon. John Young
The resolutions were as follows:
Whereas, The House Of Represen-
tatives of the State of Louisiana, &C
tuated by sincere desire to have all
futare elections in this State conduc-
ted peaceably and with the utmost
fairness to all parties, have passed at
the present session an election bill,
which in its main and essential fea-
lures can be objected to by no one
desiring the maintenance Of the pur-
ity of the ballot box, or having the
peace of the State at heart; and
Whereas, The Senate of the State
has passed substitute for that bill,
containing most odious features of a
most odious Returning Board, and
provisions anti-republican in their
character, and which tend to destroy
the expressed will Of the people at
the ballot box; provisions which are
insulting to the common sense and
decency of every intelligent citizen of
Louisiana and which in any free and
independent State of this Union
would not be tolerated for one mo-
| ment, and which, if adopted here,
would inevitably produce civil strife,
disrupt society and destroy the rem
nant Of our prosperity; and
Whereas, The State Of Louisiana
has been pillowed in shame and dis
grace by the scandalous and outra-
geous conduct Of the present Re-
turning Board, whose powers are not
so great as those with which this
Senate substitute invests its proposed
Returning Board; and
Whereas, This House is unaltera-
bly, aud upon principle opposed to
the adoption of any law providing
for a Returning Board of any de-
sceiption whatever, even though this
House, under its provisions, should
be entitled to select all of its mem
bers; and
Whereas, Under the compact es-
tablished by III e Wheeler adjust
ment, the Executive Of the State
and the members of the General
Assembly committed themselves to
a governmental policy to be marked
by reform and refomatory meas
ures, Of which this Senate substitute
is not one; therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is with exceed
ing regret that this House has know
ledge of the passage by the Senate of
this substitute bill, and this House
sincerely trusts that it may recon
slider its determination to send said
bill to Che House for it's concurrence;
and that it is the sense Of this House
that persistence on the part of any
department or branch Of this govern
ment to adopt this substitute bill, or
any bill providing for Returning
Board, will be violatiye of the spirit
and true intent of the Wheeler ad-
justment, and this House will conse.
quently be absolved from all obliga-
lions Hereunder, and in the future
should conduct its proceedings &C.
cordingly..
2. That it is the sincere and ar
dent wish of the members of this
House to see the next and all future
elections in this State conducted fair
ly, peaceably and with perfect con-
sideration for the rights and opinions
Of all men; and at all times are will,
ing to sincerely guarantee their as
sistance to carry out this desire, but
they can never yield their assent to
an election law which would again
invite arbitrators- from other States,
which would again produce the ridi-
culous aspect of a settlement Of a
Louisiana election in the city of New
York, and which would again cheat
the will of the people as expressed at
the ballot box, and would inevitably
lead to civil commotion, strife and
even bloodshed, and crnsh out the
last remaining hope for a coming
prosperity to our most unfortunate
and impoverished State.