The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-05-23
The General Assembly Does It's
Duty.


Murphy j. Foster is second time
Governor OF Louisiana.
The General Assembly in joint ses-
SION, in obedience to the mandates of
tho constitution, met to examine and
count the votes. and 10 declare form
ally the names of these who had been
elected Governor and Lieutenant
Governor ofLouisisna.
This duty was accomplished in due
form aud according to the require
menis OF law, with entire decorum and
free from the slightest disturbance of
any sort. Everything was done de-
Gently aud in order with the utmost
delibcration, aud not only were pro-
tests from contrasting candidates re-
ceivcd and listened to with patience,
bit their partisaas were given time
and opportunity to argue in behalf OF
protestants that the General Assembly
should undertake the functions of q
returning board to make and unmake
a Governor without regard to the
official returns and the manner and
form prescribed by the constitution
for the counting Of the votes.
The General Assembly, by the de-
cisive vote of Sc TO 48, declared that
it had no other function in the prem
ises than to compile and count the
votes from the official returns, and,
having completed the count, it pro-
claimed that Murphy J. Foster had
been elected Governor, and this an
nouncement was made by vote of Sc
TO 4S.
The General Assembly has done
we'll. 1t has obeyed the plain man.
dates of the constitution it has main
tanned its own high prerogative aud
dignity it has indicated the honor
aud preserved the peace and order of
the State under circumstances when
these seemed seriously menaced, and
when any hasty, excited and undigni-
fed action might have prccIpitated
trouble.
While there were many honest and
reputable citizens who were political
ly opposed to the election and seating
of Mr.. Foster, and to them the peace,
tho honor and the credit of Louisiana
are just as dear as to the most conser.
vative and patriotic men of any party,
it cannot be concealed that there Was
horde of parasites, OF freebooters,
of mercenaries, of political Bashi Ba-
zouks and pirates, who desired moth
ing better than violence, revolution
and bloodshed, out of which they
hoped to prosper and to plumber.
But the action of the General As
sembly has made violence and revolu-
ton impossible, and there will always
be strong hand of constitutional
power to crush out any untoward
demonstrations by would-be outlaws.
The high credit of the State has been
preserved, and the people will now be
able 10 go OH With their ordinary bust.
ness without fear that the public peace
and order will suffer.
And, shoald it be proposed to pnr-
sue further the contest over the elec-
ton of the chief executive officials Of
the State, lawful and peaceful meani
will be provided for the purpose, oil
questions at issue being decided by a
competent tribunal created under con.
stitutioual guarantees.
The General Assembly will now adj
dress itself to the proper objects Of
legislation which may come before it
and the State will march on in pro
gress and prosperity to the better
times which are dswning on the hori
zon of this great country. So ii maj
be.-Picayune.