New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-02
~ House Preceealnr. Yesterday.


The following account of the proceed
iugs in the House Of Representatives yes
terday was furnished TO last evenings
papers by the Associated Press. 1t indi-
Gates disgraceful state OF affairs, such as
have hardly been known since the fOunda-
ton Of the government:
The Speaker counted the House and
found quorum present.
Roll call was demanded to verify the
Speakers count.
The Speaker said further proceedings un-
der call of the House were in order, un-
der the rules of the House, but not under
the electoral law. The Speaker was not
responsible for the law.
Mr.. Walling disclaimed any reflection on
the Speaker, but demanded roll call.
The yeas and nays were taken on the mo-
ton for call of the house, resulting yeas
GO, nays 1863.
This skirmish occupied one hour and Q
quarter. It was followed by a motion to
reconsider. Pending this the Speaker or
dered prayers, and the legislative day of
Thursday began.
After the journal, Poppleton claimed that
duplicate return from Vermont had been
properly made to Ferry, and Vermont
should 90 to the commission. Half dozen
roll calls are possible under proceedings in
this direction.
There was intense excitement over the
roll call to dispense with reading q full
journal, under suspension of the rulee,
which is allowable by two-shirds vote.
During the balance of the session If the
minority find themselves short of a third on
the call, they will be helpless unless they
recruit or by Btratagems compel the House
to suspend tho rules continually on minor
points.
On motion to suspend the rules and sus-
pend the reading of the journal, yeas l75,
nays IS.
Geperal Gibson, Colonel Levy and Cap
tain Ellis, of the Louisiana delegation,
voted yea.
The call is preliminary to Poppleton's
motion regarding the Vermont returns.
The further count may be delayed several
hours, unless forced to proceed by resolu-
ton, to be passed under suspension of the
rules.
1t has transpired that q duplicate return
from Vermont was fled with the clerk OF
the court, whose duty it was to forward it.
The minority insist that the Senate shall
meet and open the certificate from that
State, rendered now, and send for one
which by legitimate procedure should be
in Ferry's box.
Speaker Randall rules that Ferry, in re-
fnsing TO read but carrying away with him
duly authenticated paper affirming the
election in Vermont, acted wrongly, and il
is competent for this House to demand the
return of the paper. A resolution to this
effect was offered.
The House seemed perfectly uncOntrOl
liable. The minority demanded their Yer.
mont paper, and the Speaker ruled that
| the motion tO-suspend the rules was in or
der, and refused to entertain appeals. AL
the members were on their feet except
those who were on their desks.
Mr.. Randall read-The Chair is deter
mined that gentlemen shall take their seats
1t will not submit longer to this disorder.
But the disorder continued. The macC
officer paraded over the House. The mem
bers were all seated, and the Speaker OF
dered the visitors from the floor.
Speaker Randall, after having the rules
read, said the Chair is resolute; the Ser
geant-at. Arms will do his duty.
The Clerks room, lobbies and all ap
proaches to the House are cleared.
A vote is now progressing on a motion Il
suspend the rules and proceed with tn,
| count.