Black Legislators in Louisiana during Reconstruction

IX. The Battle for Survival

CHAPTER IX The Battle for Survival Approximately six weeks after the first session of the regular term ended, an extra session was convened. Kellogg's proclamation announcing the session was issued in late March, and the session was scheduled to open on April 14for ten days. The call stipulated the subjects upon which the legislature was to act: to ratify the political adjustment, to reduce taxes, to try to solve the revenue difficulties ofthe state, and to regulate port charges and the Board of Trade in the Crescent City.1 Some whites and most black Republicans were opposed to calling the session and consummating the adjustment, which would cause nine black representatives and one black senator to lose their seats. Pinchback, who was still fighting for a seat in Congress, opposed the adjustment because it would "denationalize " the Louisiana case. However, the national Republican leaders, including President Grant wanted the situation settled, and the state leaders were persuaded that the adjustment probably would bring peace. Both parties, after caucusing, decided to accept the compromise. On April 15, the Committee on Privilege and Elections presented a joint resolution allocating the contested seats and recommending "recognition of the Kellogg government." The House accepted the resolution by an I. Senate Journal, Extra Session, April14, 1815, pp. 3, 9-12; New OrleansRepublican , March 26, April 14, 1875. 202 The Battle for Survival 203 eighty-nine to eighteen vote and the Senate passed it by a vote of twenty-seven to three.2 The adjustment was not an ideal solution but it enabled the legislature to organize itself and at least attempt to consider some of the problems afflicting the state. However, continued bickering between the Democrats or conservatives and the Republican parties permitted very little time for legislative matters .3 Most ofthe legislation that was enacted was passed on the last two days of the session. Blacks offered legislation embracing a variety of subjects and often minor subjects. Representative Henry Demas introduced two separate bills designed to protect the game and useful birds in the state. One ofthe proposals reached its second reading but did not reappear because the end-of-the session rush killed it. Senator David Young's proposal to enact a law to release persons from any official bond they may have signed for sheriffs if the courts were given a thilty-day notice was referred to the Judiciary Committee and did not reappear. Senator Blunt promoted an act requiring better qualifications of persons presenting themselves before the examination bar for admittance to the Supreme Court; it received the same fate as Young's bill.4 Other legislative proposals dealt with more important themes. Senator Dumont of Orleans Parish (Algiers) sought an act to reduce the taxes the city of New Orleans levied to maintain the 2. House Journal, April 14, 1875, pp. 6, 7. Senate Journal, Extra Session, 1875, pp. 17,20; Lonn,Reconstructioll in Louisiana, 373-75; New Orleans Republican , April 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 1875; New Orleans Daily Picayune, April 16-18, 1875. The Picayune quoted black Representative Robelt Poindexter as saying, "He resigned his seat to the man who used to own him." April 16, 1875. 3. Lonn, Recollstruction, 376-77; impeachment of the Auditor ofPublic Accounts, Charles Clinton, took up much of the extra session time, Senate Journal, Extra Sessioll, 1875, pp. 33,41,44-47,57,59; House Journal, Extra Session, 1875, pp. 20,27,24-25, 59-60. All on pp. 27, 29, of the latter journal for the ousting of the four Republicans returned by the Returning Board. They were given per diem expenses, pp. 41,48; New Orleans Daily Picayune, April 16, 1875; New Orleans Republican, April 18, 24, 1875. 4. House Journal, 1875, pp. 38, 47. Demas also sought a statute to prohibit the selling and purchasing of mocking birds or pop birds outside the city of New Orleans. Ibid., 21; Senate Journal, 1875, pp. IS, 18,21,29. 204 Black Legislators in Louisiana Metropolitan Police. After being amended, the bill passed the Senate on Apri123 and the House on the last day ofthe session. The remitting oftax penalties and interest on taxes paid on lands that had overflowed in 1874 was a successful proposal championed by Senator Young. The penalties and interest were remitted if the principal of the taxes was paid before December 1, 1875. Other tax relief proposals were designed to bring relief to delinquent...