Wilmington Daily Commercial

Another Crisis in Louisiana.

THE MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE STRUGGLE OF ORGANIZATION—THE MILITARY AND POLICE UNDER ARMS—THE CAPITOL STRONGLY GUARDED.

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 2.—The members of the Legislature, seated and contesting, have almost all arrived, and political excitement is rapidly intensifying. A Senatorial caucus, Conservative, was held this morning which resulted in a direct issue arising between the friends of McEnery and Penn. The former objected to the six Conservative Senators elect taking their seats in the present Senate, and they proposed they should join with the old McEnery Senators holding over forming a new Senate which should hold communication only with McEnery as Governor. Penn's friends, who proved to be a majority, insisted that they should take their seats in the Senate as at present recognized, and fight out the battle there with a Conservative House, which they hope to perfect by electing Wiltz as Speaker. If they succeed in doing the latter all trouble will be avoided, but such a result is extremely problematical. Yesterday the Chief of Police notified General Emory that in consequence of the arrival of strong country delegations for the avowed purpose of seating parties not elected to the Legislature, and for other detailed causes, they had reason to apprehend a riot, and called for the assistance of Federal troops to preserve the peace.

The General, in the meantime, had perfected his arrangements to prevent an outbreak, which were that all citizens other than those holding or contesting seats be excluded from the State House, the main entrance be guarded and all the military of the city be placed under arms, a strong police force to be stationed inside the building.

Politicians on both sides are active. The purchasing of negro members is openly charged. Three members are reported as having been already captured by the Conservatives, and even Kellogg himself admits that there is great probability of the House perfecting conservative organization. All kinds of reports are in circulation, one to the effect that the Radicals have fitted up the upper rooms of the State House as a boarding establishment to provide for and keep the Radical members, and rumors of plans to intercept the arrival of members are plentiful.

The White League is in an effective state of discipline, well organized and officered, numbers about four thousand members, under strict orders, with proper provisions for effective service, such as commissary, ordnance, and medical departments. It can be assembled in an hour and recruited almost as soon to double its numbers. Although acting quietly and in secret, it is on the alert, and should any trouble occur will be in the field a well-organized army. The next day or two will tell the story of Louisiana's future.

THE SITUATION TO-DAY—TROOPS COVERING THE COURT HOUSE AND POLICE ON GUARD.

[(By telegraph to the Commercial.)]

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 4.

This morning, the U. S. troops took a position covering the State House, and the police are also on the ground allowing none to pass except members of the Legislature.