The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-07
THE CONVENTION.


UcIS ecomcu " sctIlo uOWA W Cuo Pulpo
for which they were called By II 80 o'clock
St. Patrick's Hall began to fill no. and by
noon, the hour to which the Convention ad'
journed, most every delegate was in his place;
At 1910 o'clock President Moncure called
the Convention to order.
The roll was called, and 81 parishes were
present
The reading of the minutes was dispensed
with
A. J. Lewis, of Orleans, moved suspen-
sion of the rules, in order that ne might
offer resolution. Objection was made.
Mr. Lewis stated that he merely desired to
presen. a resolution indorsing thu action OF
Gov McEnery, Lieut. Gov. Penn and Speaker
Wilt.
The resolution was then read from the
platform by Secretary Tbos. L. Maxwell.
Mr. Tucker, OF ST. Mary, said that after he
had beard the resolution of Mr. Lewis he felt
that every member would heartily indorse it.
He, in pointed speech sat forth that the
resolution did not relate to the purposes Of
the Convention, but referred to q historical
fact in the history of Louisiana.
Mr.. Carlos, Of Webster, stated that many
delegations could not hear the resolution, and
asked for another reading.
The resolution was as follows ::
RESOLVED, That as the Representatives of the
We hereby declare that to the Hon. John Nc
Emery, the lawful Governor of this State, to
the Hon. D. B. Penn, the lawful Lieut.. Gov
ernor of this State, and to the Hon. Louis A.
Witt, ex-Speaker of the House of Represen-
tatves, are due the heartfelt thanks of the
people of this State.
By his unselfi h devotion and self-sacriice
to the cause of liberty and free government,
his unfaltering courage and untiring efforts In
resisting the oppression OF Radlcallsm ana
defending the cause of our people, the career
Of GOV. McEnery is surpassed by none and
equaled by few in the annals Of devoted
patriotism.
During the absence of Gov. McEcery
Lieut. Gov. Penn. in the struggles which
were crowned with the glories OF the l4sh Of
September, exhibited qualities of head and
heart which have won for him undylng re-
nown.
And then, on the 4th of January, 1875,
amid the stirring scenes OF that day, when The
| Liberties OF the State we're trampled under
foot, and the House Of Representatives was
invaded by the military in defiance OF all law
end right. the Hon. Louis A. Witt with
heroic fcrtitude, clear ana correct judgment,
and answering patriotism, wrested from the
enemy the advantage sought to be Obtained,
| and preserved to us the control OF the Lower
House of the Ger eral Assembly.
| Gen. Heron urged that the resolution,
although perhaps properly belonging to the
Committee on Resolution, but as 1t appealed
to the head and heart of every citizen OF
Louisiana, ought to b. passed.
Mr.. j. II. A. Gauthreaux moved that the
names of John G. Moncure, H. n Ogden and
r. NJ Lusher be added. The resolution Was
adopted unanimously as amended.
Mr.. Mitchell, of Claiborne, arose on priv
| ilegei q uestion and moved that the Hons.
Thos. L. Vaughn and 7. o Quinn be invited
to seats on the platform. [Cneers.
Mr.. Vaughn said that he did not care to
leave the floor, but the motion was carried.
Gen. Heron moved that the rules of the
House OF representatives. be adopted by the
Convention. Carried
Mr.. McCaleb moved that the Convention
proceed to elect the sixteen delegates to the
National Convention.
He said he urged the adoption Of this in
order to do away with the necessity OF calling
another Convention before July.
An amendment was offered that sixteen
alternates be elected also. Carried.
Mr. Tucker moved as an amendment, that
the several Congressional delegations select the
names from their respective districts Car
ried.
The committee then assembled the platform
and the resolutions were read as q report o
the committee. They were very long, there
being both minority and majority report.
They are as follows:
Whereas, the usurpation of the government
of the State of Louisiana through the per
version of functions of the General Govern
ment is an evil which weighs heavily on thu
people of this State, and while it is a con
slant menace to the perpetuity of representa-
tive institutions F.; and the Federal Congress-
whose duty 1t is to guarantee to the severa
States republican form OF government, car
not ignore the present condition of despotism
and anarchy. SO detrimental to the materia
interests of Louisiana
Whereas, the Wheeler adjustment had M
reference whatever to the elections of Novem.
ber 1872; nor did it ever extend to all the
contested elections of November, 1874; bu
was expressly limited to the investigation o.
seventeen contested seats in the House o
Representatives, and to two contested seat
in the Senate, among the new elected Sena
tors;
Whereas, the said adjustment never pre-
tended to ascertain or determine anything be
yond the status of these contested seats o
the General Assembly, and, inasmuch as the
powers of the Legislature are strictly defined
and limited by constitutional provisions, ano
it was not competent for them to submit Il
AEDltId lou lno COhAtCIAuS OAoiAS Va sao AuA I"
State governments, and as those who sup
ported said adjustment never intended O
contemplated that, by any possibility, sait
adjustment should embrace any question be
yond that Of the contested seats in the Legs
lature;
Whereas. the Radical party of Louisiana
at whose promptings the said usurpation hal
been foisted upon this State. has devised thu
most comprehensive system Of measures
through iniquitous election and registration
laws, arbitrary Returning Board with I'm
limited prerogatives, and through fraudulen
census returns, measures devised for the pur
pose Of perpetuating the existence of thi
usurpation, with which it is thoroughly identi
fed; and
Whereas, the said usurpatory government
has never been acknowledged by the peopl
Of Louisiana; and 1t does not maintain it
precarious tenure Of power with their consen
or willing support;
Be it resolved By the Democratic Conservatiu
party Of the State Of Louisiana, in conUentio
assembled, l. That the memorial OF the pee