The Opelousas courier., 1884-05-17
Baton Rouge.
Especial to the Picayune. ]

BATON ROUGE, May 1l.-There will
be a number Of contests before the
Committee on Elections and Qualifca-
tions in both houses Those filed with
the Sc :retary of State are from the
Fourth Senatorial District, Ninth and
First Wards Of Orleans, First and
Sixth Senatorial Districts.
R. P. Hunter and S. Meeker are the
Representatives returned from Rap
ides. The former is Harry Ogden's
opponent for the Speakership, but the
contest in Rapides does not involve
his right to seat. 1t is made by the
Independent candidates on the ground
that certain precinct casting five hun
dred votes should be thrown out. Even
in this event Hunter would still have a
majority.
The candidates for the Speakership,
Ogden of Bossier, Hunter of Rapides,
are both popular men, and the compe-
tition is likely to prove a close one.
They are actively engaged canvassing
the members here. Mr.. Ogden was
identified with the McEnery cause in
the last campaign, while Mr. Hunter
was with the opposition.
Sinclair, ofSt. Mary, is here to con-
test the seat of Representative from
st Mary, a Custom House resident.
It will devolve Oh the Legislature to
elect six Circuit Judges to fill the places
of those chosen for the short terna-
four years. The Judges elect will sit
for eight years Those whose terms
expire are Judge George, of Webster,
First Circuit; Gumby, of oaaehlta,
Second; Irion, of Avoyelles, Third !;
Powell, of West Feliciana, Fourth !;
Smith, of Fifth; McGloin, of Sixth.
Judge Rogers, of Orleans, Eighth, hav-
ing resigned. vacancy exists. The
LAWYERS are debating the question
whether the Governor shall fill this va
cancy or the Legislature elect.
Senator Jonas arrived to-day on the
steamer City of Baton Rouge, accom-
panied by Mr.. j. O. Nixon. Several OF
his friends were already here in his in
terest, and have met with great en-
couragement in their canvass.
Mr.. James D. Houston is looking af-
ter Mr.. Eustis's case. The latter also
arrived to-day.
The balloting for Senator should be
gin on next Tuesday week, the goth
inst.
Dr.. Peter Trezevant will be Clerk OF
i the House. Col Mcintyre and Capt.
Ed. Flood are candidates for Sergeant
at Arms. w. A. Strong of Winn, c.
NJ. Barrow of West Feliciana, and Am
brose Smith of Orleans, are candidates
for Secretary of State. Among the
candidates for Sergeant-at-Arms are
! Gen. R. /. Barrow, w. G. Pope OF
\ West Baton Rouge, Mcclellan of East
/. Feliciana, and VIM. Booth OF East
Baton Rouge. !,
The forthcoming Inauguration bal
occupies local attention to o large de
gree, and has created social schisn
/ from the political character OF the
, event. It is in charge of McEnery
supporters in this city known as thu
! ssBobtails," and rumor goes that the
s'Soaptails," or opposition, will not b
hidden to the festival.
BATON ROUGE, May 12.-This after
noon the House caucus elected Harr.
| Ogden for Speaker by ayote of 81 to q
; for Hunter. Peter j. Trezevant wa
: chosen Chief Clerk unanimously. Col
/ Thomas Mcintyre, for Sergeant-at-Arm
received 65 votes to Is for Ed. Flood.
The defeat of Hunter is attribute
mainly to skillful movement on tn
3 part ofhis opponent in arranging th
f committees SO as to consolidate hl
9 strength.