Year: 1875

resignation. l had hoped the members o


the opposition would defer matters to som.


future time. We have but few days left


There are bills from both sides to be dis


cussed. and fear that action on this repor


will interfere with the best interests of thu


State.


Mr.. Habn-I have not become excited


over this question but have remained calm


take this opportunity now to explain


my vote, because when the roll is called il


is too late, then to argue the the question


1 presume everyone has made up hls mind


l shall vote in favor of maintainining these


members in their seats, and l shall do i,


from the same motives that actuate Mr.


Booth, though from the opposite side. ]


believe they were elected. Their districts


are Republican and l think should be repre-
sented by Republicans.


| should not have risen even to make this


explanation if it had not been for one remark


made by my friend Mr. Booth. He spoke


OF the near approach OF the doom of the
| Republican party l ask him what evi
| dence has he that that doom" has arrived!
! What ground has he for saying that
the party which has for fourteen
years carried on this great government,
| has done Justice to all men and to human


ity, and has bound together all the States


in one solid Union, is SO near its end9
The future of the Republican party is
brighter than its past. 1t will go on,
| step by step, to win new victories
! and new laurels. The principles of Abra-
| ham Lincoln and Charles Sumner will


never be repudlated by the people, and the
party that holds to them can not 90 down.
Single instances of defeat, in different


localities, may be cited, but they are such


because the leaders North and West have


become corrupt, even as some Of its leaders
| in Louisiana: but even they indicate the
party is not dead and can not die. The
Republican voters are more independent
| than Democrats, and reject the leader
that is unworthy their confidence. But
when the election comes in 1876, the


gentleman will find the little hopes he has


built upon these things perish before the


verdict. This great party. that has freed
three millions of people, carried on great


war at an immense expense of treasure and
is now getting the country out of debt, will
again win the election and your prophecies
will disappear. 1t is the party of justice
and honor, and the country, that loves
justice and patriotism, will eagerly respond
to it's call with an overwhelming vote of
the American people


Mr.. Levisee-I think i. very extraordinary
that the Democrats should wish to act on
this majority report without hearing from
tho minority. l had not supposed they
would be SO illiberal; that they would con-
slider more deliberately. The report sur
prises every Republican, and ought to sur
prise every Democrat. Last week resolu.
tiOn introduced by Democrat declared the
House should remain without change.
want the House to vote intelligently on this
question. Do the Democrats doubt the
meaning of the words of the resolution!
Are they not plain9 If the Democrats desire
to write their lnfamy high up, so that the
world may see it, let them vote for this re-
port. If they desire to do justice, let them
vote it down.


Mr.. Sartain said this action would be q
violation Of every pledge that had been
made. How could the colored people ever
believe the pledges of the Conservatives
after such violation of good faith Even
last Saturday they refused to elect one
clerk as a representative of the Republican
party. No man was more willing than he
to join with the Conservatives, or had tried
harder to make union.


Mr.. Keating said he felt this was break
ing of good faith. The only question was
the construction of the award. He was
sorry that the mere question of four seats
was likely to disturb the whole State. 1t
was the worst thing possible to spring this
question now. Rather than see the spirit
of the compromise broken in this way he
would tender his resignation. He could not
believe that Republicans would have voted
to carry out the compromise if this ques.
ton had been suggested. 1t would be
horrible if this thing. should continue the
condition of the State for the past two
years. lie hoped the matter would be
dropped and the House 90 to work and
pass good laws.


Mr.. Meredith rose to explain that the |
Democrats nor he nor his committee had |
any intention of committing breach of
the award, nor of violating good faith. !
They considered there being nothing in the |
award about the matter, it was not affected |
by it. He moved the previous question.


After many dilatory motions the main
question was ordered and carried by a
vote of 81 to 30.


On motion to reconsider and to table, |
Mr.. Stewart obtained withdrawal by I
agreeing to renew the motion


Mr.. Stewards one of those who voted |
against the first seating of these membe
who are now unseated, would like to say /
/ few words l fought their admission two
'r three days as hard ss could-as 1 would
nave fought against any man not returned
~ the board. 1 helped make the law under
which that board acted, and felt was right
n sustaining it. told those who forced
hese members upon us it was bad prece-
lent to set. l agree with my friend from
1t. Charles, that Republican parishes should
AVE Republican Representatives, and
would have in a fair election. But
when We took the award of the board
hese members had as much right to seats
.s we had, and | would not vote to seat
hose not returned. But the House thought
and seated them. 1t was my
[uty to acquiesce. Now, if the majority
hoose to disregard the award of Mr..
Vheeler-and | never heliered ha Or any