New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-29

THE STATE HOUSE..
Senate.


Tae Committee ON Printing reported ad
verssly on the several old bills in hand
concerning printing.
Mr. Burch stated that he did not sign the
report, not having any knowledge OF the
report until the Senate was called to order.
M Kelly gave notice that he intends to
offsr bill to repeal act No. 25 OF 1865.
Mr.. Anderson gave notice that he would
otfs- a bill in reference to back taxes.
Mr. Brsaux obtained leave to introduce q
bill to punish district attorneys for com.
promising cases in court. Referred.
Mr.. Robertson asked that a joint commit
tee be appointed, with full power to inves-
tigate the charges made publicly that
United Scates Senator West obtained his
election By fraudulent means, which propo-
sition lies over.
Mr. Weber asked that committee be ap-
pointed to learn if subordinates of the Sen
ate share their pay, or have paid money for
situations to persons high in authority.
Tne same member requested that the sub
jeot OF Regulatory in the Felicianas, East
Baton Rouge and St. Helena parishes be in.
vestisated. He wishes the committee to
report within twenty days from the date Of
appointment.
NJ. Eooel tson wished to make it Join.
resolution. but a majority opposed it.
Mr.. White amended BY making a pro-
vision that the committee expend no money,
and also sit in New Orleans.
Mr., Burch opposed the amendment. say
ing that one side of the house had m ade no
objection, when the other side called for a
committee TO investigate the rumors against
United States Senator West.
Senator White said-Mr. President. am
opposed to the resolution that has been
offered. because, in the first place, the fact
alleged in the resolution to have taken
place has not yet been proved. l object
also to the resolution because it is partisan,
and should a committee of this Senate be
appointed under this resolution to investi-
gate the affairs of that parish, am of the
opinion that the report would also be
partisan one. have no objection to an in.
vestigating committee being appointed, but
CO object to the passage of q resolution go
partisan in its character. Another reason
for my opposition to this resolution is, that
the object sought to be attained by all in
vestigating committees il, l take it, fair
and impartial report; and fear that if .
committee of this Senate was appointed
under that resolution, that the report Of
such committee would be anything but inn
partial. think it would partake some
ing the very object sought to be accom-
plished, namely, a fair and impartial re-
port. I therefore move, Mr.. President,
that instead of a committee composed en-
tireiy of Senators, the resolution be amend
ed so as to make it joint resolution. By
-. l. T Il ~
:;al and correct report could be obtained.
Mr.. Burch did not think it a. all neces-
sary to make the committee joint ene
because the questions involved were entire
ly O. local nature. The speaker desired
the statement that Republican officials in
the sections named are incompetent and
unworthy Of the positions they hold be
fnliy investigated by the committee. Some
of the charges made against Republican
officials in East Baton Rouge are notorious
IL wrong and vile, without foundation n
fact; but still let the case be investigated.
ii il tue that men have been murdered
without cause, then ask for an inves.iga-
tion Il this resolution be made joint
one, then it is possible that the irvestga-
1oa will not be as thorough as 1t would be
If left to the Senate.
Mr Weber-I: seems strange to me that
one day Mr. White wishes a Senate COM
mittse on Feliciara office holders, and at
another time he wants a joint committee
for a ike object; men, white and black,
have been driven from the Feiiclanas: it Is
unsafe for man there to say that he ls
Republican; hiB property is in danger OF
being destroyed, and if he does not flee he.
will be badly treated or killed outright by
vile scamps, who do little work themselves,
and will rot let honest men toll when
they wish 20.
Senator Landry-Mr. President, l shall
vote for the passage Of the resolution al
though gentlemen On the other side have
said that it is q partisan one. am favor
able to it, and fail to see anything in the
should be opposed to it, and why they
should vote against it. hope in my heart
that there will not be a vote cast against
the passage Of this resolution.
MI, President, 1 have the honor of repre-
ssn:ing very quiet community, and have
also the hcnor OF representing some OF the
best people in this State. l feel that my
people would hold me responsible should l
vote for partisan resolution. On one SIDE
we hear that the officials of that parish
have been asked to resign, on account OF
their iacoupetency and ignorance; and on
the other side, we hear that they have
been driven from their positions by bodies
of armed men. 1 cay, sir. in view OF
these facte I can not see, when resolution
is offered asking that committee OF the
Senate be appointed to investigate these
charges, why it should be called partisan
resolution. fail to sec where the partisan
shin comes in. The resolution charges
somebody in this parish with demanding
the resignation Of certain officials, and that
the res;gnations were demanded on account
of the incompetency of the officials. DO
not undertake to say that this is true or un-
ture; it may be true that somebody has
misrepresented the people of that part
of tho country. If that be 30, why,
let Us see into it. If true. l, as
Senator representing portion OF the Peo-
pie of the State of Louisiana, desire that
the facts be brought to light: l nope ana
believe that if committee is appointed TO
investigate this matter they Will MAKE
fair and impartial report. IN tnat case, II
tho officials who have resigned were com.
petent, why, then the world VII! Know tnat
these men were driven from their poslIions;
that they we're compelled to resign.
know that the Democrats have changed
their name from Democrats to Conserva-
tiyes, which is modified term. Conserva-
tive is better than Democrat, and suits the |
people in the country better. |
Now, cir, it seems to me that if the Con- |
seryatlye element upon this floor are op' |
posed to the passage Of such resolution
that they would be conservative only IN |
name. and that such thing as conserve |
tisln would be q myth. Mr.. President,
there is not Republican in my district, |
,ub;to or hloclr that will blame me for vOt