The Opelousas courier., 1882-01-28

gave the name of Mr.. Albert Gibson, as
authority for the statement, and again
repeated it in positive terms. Several
of Senator Robertson's personal friends,
who subsequently withdrew from the
caucus, were present when the charge
was made, and did not deny it's truth
fulness.
Senators Nntt and Cunningham ex-
pressed surprise, that any member
should be in doubt as to what course
senator Robertson would pursue to-
wards the Lottery Company, were he
the Governor Of the State.
This statement coming from such an
authoritative source, caused me to
change my purpose, to vote for senator
Robertson had he been candidate for
reelection. AS matter of fact how
ever, no name was put in nomination,
except that of senator Walton, and he
was selected without opposition by the
caucus, as President pro tenn. OF the
Senate, to which effice he was elected
upon the re- assembling of the Senate.
After the adjournment of the caucus
and previous to the assembling of the
Senate, called at Senator Robertson's
room, to inform him of the action OF the
cancus, but he was not in. Seeing him
however, before the meeting OF the Sen
ate, informed him of what had been
done, and earnestly advised him to re-
sign, to prevent being ousted, stating
at the same time, the charges brought
against him, and declaring my lnten-
ton to vote against him. He did not
denv the statement of Senator Lucas,
but rem arked angrily-"1t 1t was d-n
dirty trick, anyhow, to report dinner
conversation" In answer to my sug-
gestion to him to resign, he said he
would not do it-"The Governor does
not want me to, and intend to fight IT.
1t will plainly appear from the fore
going statement of facts and dates, that
Senator Robertson, on the morning OF
the day upon which the caucus was
held, knew of it and of its purpose. He
did not complain to me, that 1t was TO
be held without due notice, nor that
any unfair advantage was sought to be
taken of him by the call of the caucus
at that time, nor do know of any pur-
pose to deal unfairly by him, on that
occasion.
There was no coup dstat, or surprise
intended, or executed, so far as | know
/ 1t has been said, that a rule had been
adopted, to give "a hours notice OF q
caucus meeting. l think l attended
every session of the caucus, held during
the two extra sessions, and knew o.
/ no such rule. Senator Luckett, the
president of the caucus during both
f sessions, has stated that he knew OF NJ
: such rnle. If there had been such
rule, the special call for a caucus, sign
: ed by a majority of the members OF it
would, for that occasion, have put th'
, rule in abeyatice.
] Of what force however, is this objee
: tion, if it were true, since there wer'
t in attendance at the caucus, nineteel
D Senators, who constituted, not only
q majority of the Democratic Senators
but an actual majority of the Senat
s itself?
Z, l regret Mr.. Editor to take up g.
!, much of your valuable space, but tel
= it due to myself and to the people @
}, my district, to give plain and candle
!, statement of my conduct in connection
t, with this matter, TO correct the errone
t. GUS impression which your editorial
y and the reproduction of it elsewhere
= calculated to produce.
l Very Respectfully,
Your ob't. srvt.,
4 T. S. FoNTENoT.