The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-02

| fourteenth article of amendment into
the constitution in 1868. he was chosen
senator from Louisiana, took his seat
and was in occupancy with two years
still to serve, when in 1872 he be-
came a candidate for, governor. The
democrats denied the elegibility of a
United States senator to the office of
governor. They claimed, moreover, that
the democratic candidate, John Nc
Emery, had defeated fairly Kellogg at
the polls by 10000 majority. Kellogg
by the interference of President Grant
gained possession of the office. The
term was four years for the COVER
nor, but only two years for the Leg
islature. Thus the election of November,
1874, did not involve the office of gov
ernor and Kellogg held on.
1T may be mentioned that in Sep
tember of the election year, 1874, a
very large mass meeting, attended and
encouraged by representative citizens,
met on Canal street at the Clay statue
and called upon Governor Kellogg to
abdicate.
The next day Governor Kellogg va
Gated the statehouse, taking refuge in
| the custom house under the United
States flag. b. d. Penn claimed TO
have been made lieutenant governor
| by the election of 1872. He now after
the two years deprivation took office,
called out some 10000 militia and pos
sessed himself of all the state and city
property.
! Lieutenant Governor Penn tele-
sraphed to President Grant particulars
and requested him to stand hands off.
The President sent General Sheridan
to the scene and under him General
Emory and General De Trobriand with
! troops and guns. He put Penn out
and restored Kellogg. Some ships of
the navy Were also sent to the wharf
| ready for action. The immediate pro-
vocation of the citizens was alleged to
! be the preparation being made by Gov
ernor kellogg to carry the election
of a republican legislature.
The legislature assembled January
| 4, 1915. 1t was democratic by a small
! majority in both houses. When the
members approached the capitol they
| found 1900 soldiers of the army on
| guard, besides large contingent from
| the governors force, the metropolitan
police. Cangress had sent committee
of investigation and two of it's mem
| bers, Messrs. Phelps and Foster en-
| tered the hall of the house, taking
Seats near the speakers stand. Forty
| of the 80 republican members of the
house had slept in the capitol the night
before.
Wilt, democrat, was chosen speak
er, and Trezevant. democrat clerk
Democrats from five contested par
ishes were given seats. with the un-
derstanding that the house itself should
hear and determine the contest The
| members were admitted regardless OF
the action of the returning board be-
cause of the governors influence with
that board, of which Gen. James Long
street WAS a member
Great confusion arose on the floor.
Republ1can members began to take
their departure. Speaker Wilt ordered
the sergeant at arms to close the door
and prevent any one going out. Scuf-
fling followed at the door between the
republican members who persisted in
the attempt to pass and the sergeant
at arms who would obey his orders.
The lobby was filled with soldiers
and policemen. Some one sent for GEN
eral De Trobriand. He entered and
Speaker Wiltz thanked him for his
presence. He was accompanied by his
adjutant. The general asked that cer-
tain letters which he held in his hand
and which Governor Kellogg had re-
quested should be read to the house
by former Clerk Vigers. Clerk Tree.
want objected to the appearance of
Vigers in his place. The adjutant then
read the letters. The general next
put Trezevant out of his place and put
Vigers in, saying he had orders from
Two men, Campbell and Anderson,
pointed out to the general the five
members occupying contested seats. He
ordered them to leave the hall Not
one obeyed. He went in person to each
insisting that the order be obeyed
Each required him to send soldiers
with fixed bayonets to put him out. SO
the soldiers put each out at the muz-
zle of their muskets loaded and bay
onets fixed
AS soon as the five members had
been, thus elected Speaker Wiltz rose.
surrounded by a file of soldiers, and
General De Trobriand, and addressing
the house said: I'm the name of the
downtrodden state of Louisiana l again
enter my solemn protest Gentlemen,
the chair of the speaker of the house
of representatives of the state of
Louisiana is surrounded by United
States troops; the hall of the house
of representatives is in possession OF
armed forces. | call upon the repre-
sentatives of the state of Louisiana to
retire with me from their presence"
The democrats all trailed behind the
speaker as he passed out, leaving the
hall in possession of the military. The
speaker led to a hall on st. Louis street
wher all met and adjourned.
The next day, January s, General
Sheridan telegraphed to Secretary of
War Belknap: IF Congress would pass
a bill declaring them (the white
league) banditti they could be tried
by military commission 1t is
possible that if the President would
issue a proclamation declaring them
banditti that no further action need
be taken, except that which would de-
volve on me-"
knowledge of the invasion of the leg
islature and it's rupture by armed SOL
diers and of the virtual application by
Sheridan for power to seize, hand
cuff and shoot to death at his discre-
tion the citizens, caused the most in
tense excitement not only in New Or
leans and the state of Louisiana but
throughout the country. The commit
tee of 70.' in New Orleans, issued inn
m aidat telv an address imnlnrinr the