New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-28

Senate.
This body met at the usual hour yester
day, the Lieutenant Governor in the chair
Notwithstanding two of last evenings
papers had 1t otherwise. All tho business
was of routine character, such - was moi
likely to draw Senators out of their seats
for talk. Bills were called up and acted
on, and notices given that new bills would
be introduced, and still members refused to
use their voices for or against.
Mr.. Twitchell discovered that rule No. 80
was evidently incorrect, and on stating his
point the rule was amended.
There was only one executive session, and
when the doors were opened Mr.. White
gave notice that he would offer bill con-
cerning the police courts of this city.
Mr.. Young wished to call mp House bill
Nd. 70 Of last session, but . few members
objected, whereupon . motion to adjourn
was carried.
After the roll was called and Speaker
Estilette had announced his appointments
on special committees called for on Wednes'
day, the Senate apportionment bill was
called up as the special order of the day
and read section by section.
It was evident from the start that the bill
was destined to be passed, and there was
little discussion.
Mr.. Demas offered two amendments,
which were rejected by being laid on the
table. The first was one claiming for the
parish of St. John two Representatives. The
second was that the parish Of st. James
should be made a senatorial district.
Mr.. Hunsaker desired to make . state
ment ON the latter, but was prevented by
the rules until allowed later by courtesy.
He then said he had troubled the House
but little during the present session, and
only desired now to present to the House
claim for justice. If this apportionment
was legally anything at all, it was based on
the census; it must go according to the re-
turns. By it the parish of St James was
credited with q population 80 near the
amount spportioned for a senatorial district
that it was urjust to deprive the people of it.
Mr.. Ray moved the adoption of the first
section, and, calling for the previous ques
ton, it was adopted
On his motion the second section was
read and adopted on the same call,
Mr.. Ray taking the same course on the
third section, was equally successful, and
pursued the same course to the third read
ing of the bill, the Speaker ruling in his
favor on points Of order raised.
Mr.. Keeting moved to postpone: Mr..
Hunsaker to refer to the Judiciary Commit
toe, but neither motion was recognized, and
the Chair, on rira roce vote, declared the
bill finally adopted.
Mr. Lowell protested four or five mem
beers had called for the yeas and nays, and
the Speaker Immediately said he was cor.
rect, and ordered the clerk to call the roll.
Several members gave notice Of intention
to explain their votes.
Mr. Bower. amid some confusion, spoke
of the necessity that called for the passage
of the bill; of the radical change, and made
some objections, but in the interests of the
State voted yea.
Mr.. Hunsaker said he was aware that no
words of his would prevent the passage of
the bill, and therefore would not speak of
it. But he would take the opportunity of
saying that it was unfair to cut off all de-
bate by persistent calling of the previous
question. He did not think it right to pass
important measures in that way. He voted
no.
Mr.. Keeting attempted to explain, but
Mr. Demas Directing, as he had given no
notice, the House was deprived of his rea.
sons for his vote.
Mr.. Lowell said one of his objections to
the bill was in the third, fifth and sixth par
agraphs of the first section. The main OBJ.
ject Of these is to divide the parish Of Or.
leane, to reconstruct New Orleans, take
from it portion and annex it to country
parishes. He knew well what the purpose
was, and considered it mistake. 1t was
designed for partisan purposes. St. Charles,
St. John, Jefferson, Carrollton, and the
twelfth and thirteenth wards were added
together to make o district for two Sena-
tors. The three parishes may be considered
Republican centres, and the design was by
their aid to overcome the Democratic
strength in the portion taken from New Or
leans. This division should be opposed on
principle. If the territory and population
of Orleans were entitled to ten or twelve
it should elect them itself. Again,
the representative districts were altered
and combined, and some given more than
before by the combination. If district
was large enough for one representative, it
should have it. There is another question,
one now before the courts, whether Carroll
ton is part of Orleans or Jefferson. He
that when the law annexinq
Carrollton was finally decided, it would be
considered unconstitutional, and Carroll
fon n mart of .JeffersOn and the aiYteenfh