Year: 1866




for the appointment of Joint committee to wait
upon the Governor for certain purposes.


Mr.. Moban called up She resolution in relation
to the appointment of JOINT committee to wait on
the Governor. The resolution having been read
the Senator said that there had been secret asso
citation of the city police formed for the purpose
Of controlling the approaching election. This
was illegal and criminal. Ten members of the
House had been appointed of the committee to
wait upon the Governor and reqsest him to take
measures to break up the arrangement. He knew
of police officer who having refused to sign
document presented to him by a lieutenant had
given information that each policeman had been
taken aside and required to sign the document,
saying that he would pledge himself and friends
to vote for certain candidate for Office; besides
which he was called on to take an oath not to d.
vuIge the secrets of this association. secret
sociation among the police of the city! Then
there had been at least six hundred men added to
the police force since preparations for the election
had commenced. Judge Barnet, well known,
respectable citizen, had placed in his hands a
communication which had been sent to him, and
which showed that the system pervaded all
branches of the city government. The writer
was port warden, a man well known to most of





pay tax os $50, in common with other port war
dens, to contribute to certain political purposes.
The object of the bill was to have this secret asso
ciation put down. His Excelency, the Governor
had made great clamor about secret associations
in his message to the legislature, but when called
on to give information respecting them he had
failed to do SO. Let us see if he will not now put
them down. He could bring evidence to prove
ba;p
with the signature of high official in this State,
declaring that the members of this Legislature are
all rebels. He hoped the resolution would be
passed Immediately.


Mr. Kavanagh said ne could not see any neces-
sity for a resolution like this. The police are un-
der the control of the Governor. If he was aware
of their doing what it is alleged they are doing he
was not going to change his conduct at the request
of committee of the legislature. Besides it is no
part of the duty of the legislature to make any
such request through committee. If the Cover
nor was not aware of it, it was no part of the du
ties of the legislature to inform him OF it. If the
facts existed at all, they must be met in quite a
different manner. But the Senator spoke entirely
from hearsay, and the Senate would certainly re-
quire something than that to induce it to act.
He saw no use whatever for the committees


Mr.. kenner thought the Senate ought to look
into the matter, at all events, before proceeding to
any action as to the appointment of committee.
The resolution says that information conveyed to
members of the House had led to its adoption
That information shotfd have been sent to the
Senate as usual in such cases, in order to enable
the Senate to Judge of its authenticity and impor
tance, and of the propriety advisability of tax
ing the proposed action. He was prepared to g.
as far as any Senator in asserting and maintaining
the rights of the people to lawful and peace
| full election, and he was as much in
| terested as any Senator in endeavoring tt
secure it for them But the more importan
the matter in reference to which they wert
called on to act, the more circumspect they should
| be, the more careful not to act unadvisedy. Sup
posing the wrong to exist, how is it that the Sen
ate is called upon to act for the purpose of having
it remedied? The Senate has nothing to do witt
the putting of the laws in execution and yet the
| resolution calls upon joint committee of the
| legislature to cooperate with the Governor il
| doing so Was the committee, then, to become a
posse comiatns of constables, or what? He con
ceived that the proper course was to call on tht
| Governor to execute the laws and to furnish hin
with the evidence that will enable him to do SO
| If he did not do so, then he (the Senator) woult
90 as far as any man in resorting to all lawful ant
proper means to compel him. He hoped the reso


luton would be allowed to lie over for one day a
least, so that it might go to the Committee on tn
Judiciary for their advice as to what course
might be best to pursue.


Mr. Duvgneaud fully concurred in the view
expressed by the Senator from Ascension (MI
Kenner.) In his opinion the resolution amounte
to nothing. If the alleged association exists, h
knew of no law to suppress it. There was no lay
to prevent police officers from forming associa


tons or from voting for whom they may choose
although they are prevented from interfering a


elections. We have had, and still have, man


associations that some might desire to suppress


but could not-such as the Fenians and the knoN


Nothings. He had already had his attention calle


to this association of the police, but he saw tina
nothing could be done with it. He was not, there


fore, supposed to be in favor Of secret associi


tions He would cheerfully go for suppressin


and prohibiting them.


Mr.. Mohan said the Senator's own bill woul


prohibit and prevent this association from its pre-


posed action but it was not enforced; and tn
object of the resolution was to have that done.
like m anner the bill to establish Police Boart


which would prohibit AL this, was not put int
, operation. Why not? The Governor had mad


the passing of such bill the sine qua non for Ii


signature to the city election BILL The object {
the resolution was to have q consultation wit
! him, and ascertain why he did not enforce thes


laws, and what could be done i'll the premises.


was a great object to avoid going to extremitie


if prac tcable.


Mr. Pcche said he would use all the power /


could bring to bear in support of the efforts for IL


suppression of these secret associatons but tn


resolution called on a committee of the legisatu


to transform itself into two other branches of IL


goyernment-the judiciary and the executive.
E thought the proper way would be for those wi
+ could give the testimony to call the attention
y the Executive to the existence of these things
n hoped the resolution would be referred.


n The resolution was then, on motion of Mr.. M
q han, referred to the Judiciary Committee with j
a structons to report tomorrow, if possible.
o Mr.. Munday called up the bill in relation to
ferry across the Atchafalaya, intending the Simm
r port ferry bill. That granting privileges to
# Davitt ct al was, however, taken up in error al
d had been proceeded with for some clauses befo
G the fact was discovered. Mr.. Anderson thank
t the Senator for having thus got under way the
o he had been just about to call, and pressed its
l. ing continued. This was done, and the bill W
% passed. This ferry is on the road from Morgan
10 to Pointe Coupee.


Had RhAC Ctrnrnc To,