Year: 1875

on the hoor. l beg of them to give Us time
and not act in spirit Of partisanship
When the compact was made the Republic
ans were as much . party to it as the
Democrats. They knew it could not have
been carried out if Republicans had mo-


consented. The parties stand ON an equality


We submitted quietly. on the understanding


that everything was to be carried out fairly


and now we are called upon to make op


position to an upjustifable attempt to VIC


late it. On the nineteenth day of last SEES


sion these members were seated in solemn


accordance with the provisions Of law, by a


vote Of the entire House. 1t was fact


well known to Democrats. aud they can


not plead ignorance as an excuse. These


members were parties to the agreement


the contract entered into. On the six


teenth, think, Democrats and Republicans


pledged themselves not only to the people


Of Louisiana, but to the North and the


South. would have opposed compromis g


if had dreamed of such a thing as this.


The Democrats secuted this question, an


left US to believe these seats were part and


parcel of the adjustment. 1 say to them,


how can you go before the people, do


not say this as vain appeal, for expect
l to meet them in solid phalanx-in violatio n


Of this pledge, and expect them to sustain


you; or the Republicans to..keep faith with


you! After this can break faith with them


and fear no censure. I was brought up in


the household of Democracy, and 1 said


they would not keep faith.


Mr.. Meredith call the gentleman to


order.


| Mr.. Piers0n-I am speaking to political


question, and have. right to attack the


Democratic party. We Republicans joined


hands with the Democrats in pledge of


harmony. They are ready to violate it,


and will violate it.


pone, but withdrew them.


Mr.. Hunsaker-I ask the Democrats to
act fair and square in this matter. If the
majority OF this House chooses to adopt this
report we are ready to meet the issue, but
hope the House will allow every member
to express his views. When the time came
to ratify the Wheeler agreement the under
taking was emphatically that no individual
was to be disturbed who was on the roll. l
know not if Democrats so understood it,
but it is violation of it's spirit to adopt
this report. l understand that the Demo-
Gratis have majority here and may railroad
this through, but it seems to me the differ
| ence should be remitted pack to the con-
gressional committee. 1t is not proper to
charge, and l will not assert Demo-
Gratis desire to violate the agreement,
but We had the assurance of Mr.
Wheeler that no member was to be re-
moved excepted by death or resignation.
This is a vital question and goes to the
merits Of the whole matter. If you settle
it in a spirit of fairness the compromise
means peace in the future. The cOnstruc-
tion you put on this question is not our
construction. l can not understand what
the Democrats can gain by il. We have
Democratic party as pledged to carry out
the agreement. l ask that you will refer
the matter to the committee and join
hands with us in postponing action.


Mr.. BoOth-Let US examine this question
down to Its merits. regardless of extraneous
opinions. These members the report seats
have been returned elected by the Return
ing Board. think that sufficient answer.


Mr.. Pierson DO you regard the Return
ing Board as authority?


Mr.. BOOth-As your authority.


Mr.. Piersen-I did not ask that. ask if
you regard it as your authority!


Mr.. Booth-It is because the board is
authority for the other side that quote it.


The lobby here made demonstrations
which brought Mr.. Murrell and Mr. Demas
to their feet to expostulate, and called for
the enforcement of rule nineteen to clear
the lObbies.


Mr.. Ray-On Saturday last when Re-
publican member was addressing the House
there were Kisses from the lobby and cries
of ''put him OUT and it was only that we
had sergeant-at-arms that the threats |
were not carried into execution. If this is
repeated l will call on the Republican |
members to leave the House and make |
attidavits of this outrage.


Speaker Estilette-The rule gives the |
Chair q discretion in the matter, but if |
there is any further demonstration and |
perfect order not maintained ! will order
the lobby cleared.


Mr.. BOOTH wish to point out that this
report is no violation of the adjustment,
but its natural fruit. l never gave my
to it, and never conceded in the
least that O,1r riuhfa vera to he eaf,led in |
Wall street. conceived it scheme of the
ablest leaders to attempt to avert the in
evitable doom of the Republican party.
The decision Of the Returning Board was
right, and when Mr.. CAN'T resigned it was
% natural for Mr.. Vidrine to drop into his
seat as for ripe apple to fall to the ground.
He could not be excluded. The agreement
ssys nothing about these members. 1t is
no violation of the letter to exclude them.
Nor is it Of the spirit. If it were so, you
,ould not expel Q member for bad conduct.
The compromise, as those who agreed to it
understood it, never contemplated these
members remaining in their seats. The Re
3ublicans are themselves wrong in their
dea Of it's spirit. desire to end this mat
er and get to work on the work before US
Mr.. Matthews-I claim that these gentle
men are legally entitled to their seats under
he law Of the State. Not on political
,rounds-not even under the award. It is
lot because it was agreed by Mr.. Wheeler,
,rthat we voted to carry ont his opinion and
cave the other four gentlemen outside, but |
because this House legally expressed its |