The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-01-06
TWO STATE GOVERNMENTS.

proper government, Iounueu upo" the
laws of the State as interpreted by
legal tribunals, and mimic govern
ment deriving its proclaimed author
ity from the dictum of partisan po-
litical committee, assuming to usnrp
the functions of the officers designated
by law to canvass the returns and
the results of elections in
this State.
On Monday the Democratic mem
bers elect of the Senate and House OF
Representatives appeared at the door
of the State House, accompanied by a
number of contestants aud claimants,
and promiscuous crowd of several
hundred people, for all of whom free
ingress was demanded by Col. Louis
Bush, acting as spokesman. An aid
de- camp of Gov. Kellogg's staff, who
had command of the militia guarding
the building, replied that no persons
would be permitted to enter save
those holding certificates of election
to the Senate or House of Represen-
tatives issued by the Secretary of
State. Col. Bush again demanded
admission for the entire crowd, which
being again refused, he read formal
protest prepared for the occasion, and
led his associates to St. Patrick's Hall,
where a pseudo General Assembly
was organized. This body purported
to consist of all Democratic candidates
for Senators or Representatives who
received majorities according to the
returns of the election as promulga-
ted by the Democratic State Commit
tee, but even these failed to show a
constitutional quorum in the bogus
House, and to repair this fatal deficit
three candidates were added to the
roll whose defeat at the polls was no.
torious and universally admitted.
Col. Louis Bush was chosen Speaker
of the lower house Of this party eau
Gus, and Senator Ogden president of
the senatorial branch. Daily sessions
are held, sometimes with, sometimes
without quorums, acts and resolutions
considered and passed, and plans pei
fected for organizing the semblance of
u State government, complete in all
its parts save the vital requisite of
lawful authority. On Monday the
ceremony of " inaugurating" Nichols
and Wiltz will be performed.
The legal General Assembly organ
lied at the Capitol with 10 Senators
and 68 members of the House. Hon.
Michael Hahn was elected Speaker of
the latter body, receiving Sd votes,
the remaining fifteen being cast for
ex-Goy. Warmoth. The votes. for
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
were counted by the houses in Joint
session, the election of Packard and
Antoine being formally declared. Sew
eral important bills and resolutions
have been passed, of which We shall
speak hereafter.
Preparations have been made by
both governments TO sustain their re-
spective authority, and apprehensions
of an armed conflict are entertained.
We adhere to the opinion, however,
that the existing status will be peace
fully maintained, at least until the
presidential question reaches an issue.
The Democrats have nothing to gain
and much to lose by a resort to vio-
lence at this time, for in such an
event the power of the State and fed
eral governments would unite. if nee
essary to subjugate the rioters and
compel obedience to the lawful au-
thorities. This would topple over the
mock government, consnmmatioa
which the Democrats will be partic-
ularly anxious to avoid.
The situation is grave and fnll of
danger, but as we view them, the
chances are against any organized
breach of the peace previous to the
official declaration of the election of
either Hayes or Tilden.
Mr.. Spencer, one of the Democratic
Congressman from this State, distin-
gnished himself during political de-
bate the other Gay by charoino that