The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-05-28
Debate In TIE SENATE.
TIE SPEECH OF SENATOR JONAS.
W AsHINGToN, I

In the Senate yesterday, Mr.. Jon
as said that but for The fact that
Louisiana had been misrepresented
in this debate he would have con
tented himself with 2 silent vote on
the bill, except us regards the ties,
oath. The Northern people are more
interested in the proposed measure
Of repeal than are the Southern PEG
| rle. The South is now relieved oil
Returning Board scandal and bayo-
net rule, and is, as has been said,
solid in the sense that all its good
citizens, white and black, are united
to secure good government. The
Republican party is now seeking to
solidity the North by the use of its
machinery of power, and he warned
the people of that section of the in
}juries they might suffer from these
very laws unless they are repealed.
He would, as a warning, refer to the
history of misrule in his State, not
during the war, which was conducted
as far rs he knew according to the
laws Of civilized warfare, but since
its close. His people did not go into
the war as thild's play. They ex-
pected great disasters, and do not
now complain Of tLeir occurrence;
but they complain Of what was done
during the so called reconstruction.
In 1868 troops were not improperly
used, but representatives defeated
by the people were seated in Con-
gress. He passed over the election
of 1870, notoriously fraudulent, but
dwelt on that Of 1872, when the
Democrats had 1000 or 5000 major
ity, but under Judge Durell's mid.
night order the Republican candi-
dates for the Legislature were seated.
Mr.. Jonas said that until tue Spring
| of 1877 there had not been an cleo
ton nor the installation of an officer
in Louisiana except in the presence
of troops acting by the eonnivance OF
Federal authority. 1t had been
doubted by Mr.. Blaine whether any
Senator had seen troops at the polls
since the war. That was during
that period familiar sight to the
people Of Louisiana.
Mr.. Kellogg asked Mr.. Jonas te
say at what polls and on what day
troops were seen?
Mr.. Jonas said his colleague
might bubble on words if he chose
The troops were coustructively al
the polls; ready to be there at a mo
ment's gotice; constantly ready fol
action and Extensively conspicuous
Members elected to the Legislature.
were refused admtt,ance to the State
House. He cared not il it were II,
only one lieutenant, the people
would not resist the symbol of tn,
] United States authority. The PEG
pie submitted peaceaby, aa.l in 1877
the reigning State Government
4 thought itself strong enough to dis
pense with the troops, and di,l.so
but organized the city police fore
into a -pretorian guard, under TIL
4 Governors orders, at the same tim
: prohibiting citizens, in violation q
|, fundamental law, to carry or hav
arms. @
" The people rose in silent nigh
and in single night tie alien go,
eminent disappeared and the Stat
7 came into the hands of its own pee
pie; but again came the inevitabl
t soldier and again the people submit
, ted to the loss Of their rights, afte
s showing the world their repudia.io
of Kellogg's governments.
Kellogg asked what caused tie so
diers coming in 1S742
. Mr.. Jonas said it was an order
the President to the COMMUNICATE
Chief to put the Kellogg Cover
;, ment in power. No people ola 70
eign country ever rose to honor Ge
eral Grant as the people of this cou
try rose to denounce his action
1874.
!, Mr.. kellogg asked if the fact we
not that the troops entered the Sta
House by request of the Democrat
. Speaker, to preserve order.
:. Mr.. Jonas said such request "
made, and it was disapproved
. him, though it was legal for Il
State Government to call on the m
itary to protect it, but he was nc
referring to the use of troops
is Federal order.
St Mr.. Hoar asked if there was not
IS Republican majority in the Hou!