The New Orleans Daily Democrat

THE HIGH JOINTS.

Not a mouse stirred in Commission circles Thursday morning, and the members lounged about awaiting the action of the Packard gang and the receipt of an answer from the President to the cypher dispatch of last night. In an interview Gov. Brown stated that he was satisfied the Commission would leave for home very soon, and that the prospects are that an adjustment of the whole question will take place within twenty-four hours, and then the troops will be withdrawn. The staunchest Radicals now admit their case to be without hope, and look forward to the end with that stolidity the pagan exhibits awaiting the car of Juggernaut.

LAST NIGHT THE RESPONSE to the dispatch to the President was received, and it simply acknowledged the receipt of that sent by the Commission. The telegram forwarded from here announced to the President that there was now an undisputed quorum in the Nicholls Legislature, and that a solution of the present difficulties was at hand, and also giving a full description of the present status.

The gratification on the part of the gentlemen of the Commission, when they were able to announce the end of their labors, can be appreciated by those who have witnessed their close application since their visit here. The members of the Commission feel that in a great measure their labors are ended, and the drawing up of their final report is all that is left. This document is already in course of preparation, and will in a day or two be ready. It WILL RECITE THE POSITION OF AFFAIRS in Louisiana, the status of the Legislature and the position of the claimant without a following, except a few deluded men who see no hope elsewhere.

It was pleasant to see the gratified air of the gentlemen of the Commission over this easy solution of the problem, and their glee was not in the least disguised. An elephant has been taken out of their circus, and the curtain can now drop without damage to the programme.

The rush from the Packard House, although not unlooked for, was so precipitate that even the Commission were somewhat startled at its immensity, and hence they more fully enjoy the vacation they get from their unpleasant duties.

To use a phrase more terse than elegant, "the jig is up" at the St. Louis Hotel, and the Commission fully appreciate it and do not hesitate to say that they are not sorry the question is settled.

Gov. Brown, in an interview with the Democrat Reporter, said that the Commission had received from the President a dispatch acknowledging the receipt of theirs stating the position of affairs here. He expressed himself as satisfied that the labors of the Commission were about closed by the action of the members of the Packard crowd yesterday.

THE CLOSING SCENES.

Packard Makes A Farewell Talk.

About noon Packard entered the caucus and gave the boys a long talk. He spoke of the necessity now, more than at any time heretofore, for the Republican party to be a unit in this State, and he counseled the members to hold together. It was the Boss' last talk, and he was listened to with much attention.

The demoralization in the Hotel is complete, and nobody knows where anybody stands.

The mob around the building seem utterly at a loss what to do, and they are doing nothing but talking over the desertion of the five members who left the Hotel for Odd Fellows' Hall. Dave Young's loss they mourn considerably.

The liveliness of the day was more than ordinary. When in the early morning it was rumored that there would probably be, during the day, a defection from the crowd, there were many maledictions against the suspected parties.

The House, as they call it, was in caucus, and after Packard had had his say it was considered the proper thing for all hands to give vent to their opinions on the situation. Gracien waxed patriotic in rotund sentences and polysyllabic words; the grave though cimmerian Walker threw out golden aphorisms on State craft and the duty of the boys to stand by Packard, and then gracefully took his hat and walked up to the Nicholls Legislature.

BUT ABOVE ALL THE SPEECHES made on the occasion that of Gen. McMillan certainly excelled, and as it contained some homely truths it aroused the ire of the average Packard patriot. Several times in the caucus during its delivery he was interrupted by the groans and jeers of the faithful, and at one time it looked as if the crowd were going to make an assault on the speaker. He, however, bulldozed the gang into a recognition of his rights as master of the floor and said:

He saw no reason for changing the views expressed by him yesterday, but, on the contrary, evidence multiplied every hour to strengthen the conviction that the adherents of the Packard government were engaged in a hopeless contest. He declared that it was useless and unjust to indulge in invective against President Hayes, as he was not the author, nor in any way responsible for the embarrassments under which their government was placed on the eighth day of January by revolution, and if the aid of the General Government was improperly withheld, the blame should rest upon President Grant, not upon President Hayes.

The underlying causes of its defeat, however, are general rather than local; more potent than any relating to Louisiana alone. The peace and welfare of the whole country demands the complete and final settlement of all questions growing out of the disturbed and disputed government in this State. The establishment and maintenance of one government could only be accomplished by force which cannot be obtained. Of this he had ample assurance from those who have authority to speak.

In his opinion it was the duty of the representatives of the people remaining in this Assembly to look the inevitable squarely in the face and save as much as possible from disaster and overthrow not only for the political party to which they belong, but for the constituencies they represent. To this end he again advised an adjustment by the Republican members, as a body, with the opposing and successful party, and the acceptance of the most favorable terms which could be obtained.

There was blank astonishment on every face at the enunciation of such a doctrine in such a place, and the orthodox Radical seemed dismayed at the heretical doctrines.

IT WAS JUST ABOUT THIS TIME that a spirit of insubordination began to manifest itself among the police, and their commanding officers found that they were fast losing control of their men. When Gen. McMillan had closed his speech he started out of the building, but his egress was obstructed by some metros, who were determined NOT TO LET ANYBODY OUT.

The feeling was very strong against Dave Young and the "deserters," as they called them, and some wanted blood. The General, however, didn't frighten, and passed out without trouble.

It was after this, it is stated, that the privates on the police had A LONG CONFAB TOGETHER and agreed to solve this question of government on their own hook. They agreed that deserting members should be kept in the house, vi et armis, and they looked as if they meant business. They gathered around the hallway and watched every individual who left the building, and tried, when the several members left, to stop their action.

It was ACTUALLY AN INSURRECTION. for the officers in charge, it is said, could not control the men, who alleged that they had been the only stay the Packard government had, and their wives and children were suffering and they had received but a pittance for their services. This determined action caused considerable consternation about the State-House, and it was all the commanders could do to quell the insubordination.

Even as late as 11 o'clock last night, one metropolitan, on guard at the caucus, said that the police (?) had determined to kill the first man who would desert the Packard House. He said that they had been trifled with, and they would not stand it longer, and that it would be death for any man to desert now. Packard has developed a new feature in his character of late, and that is his FISH-BLOODED AND COLD FEELING toward his warmest supporters. He had in the caucus held last night a guard around the house so that nobody could go either in or out, and at 11:20 p. m. the poor prisoners who claim to be members of a Legislature were compelled to while away the night in the quiet embrace of their arm chairs. There were about twenty-five of these martyrs thus incarcerated, and they were standing up to the INQUISITORIAL TORTURE remarkably well.

About 11 o'clock a representative of the Democrat, accompanied by a correspondent of leading Western journal, visited the St. Louis Hotel, and when entering, by way of jest, announced that they were members of the House who had returned from Odd Fellows' Hall. The guard at the door, without hesitation, at once admitted them, and a visit was paid to the hall of the House. Learning nothing there, they were about stepping out, WHEN SERGEANT BIER who, it will be remembered was connected with a rape case, came up and ordered the strange visitors from the building. Bier evidently was on his high horse and felt proud of his opportunity.

The members of Packard's House were to-night prisoners, and they are compelled to hold together as they can't stray away.

THE LEGISLATURE.

A Returning Board Quorum In Both Branches.

Yesterday the House completed the Returning Board quorum, a quorum that cannot be disputed by any Republican, not even Mad. Wells. himself. The Senate has boasted of such a quorum since February. This, therefore, puts the Legislature—not out of doubt, because its authority has never been doubted—but beyond ever the questions and suspicions of the Radicals.

Like Caesar's wife, it is now above suspicion.

The following are the members of the House and Senate that have taken their seats at the Odd Fellows' Hall:

The Senate.

The following Senators, elected by the people and returned seated by the Returning Board, occupy their seats:

Allain R, Boatner D., Breaux R., Bryant R., Ducros D., Ellis D., Eustis D., Gia R., George D., Goode D., Grover D., Kelly D., Mitchell D., Ogden D., Richardson D., Robertson D., Steven D., Texada D., Wheeler R., White D., and Zacharie D.—21, of whom 17 are Democrats and 4 Republicans.

In addition to these, the following members of the Senate, elected by the people but not returned by the Returning Board, Messrs. Perkirus, Sandiford and Stubbs, all Democrats, occupy seats, making the Senate consist of 24 members; 5 more than a quorum. Of those 21, 3 more than a quorum, are Returning Board members.

The House.

In the House, the following members elected by the people and returned by the Returning Board, occupy seats:

Aldige D., Aycock D., Bridger D., Bowden D., Barron R., Brady D., Brooks R., Buck D., Berry D., Bell D., Briggs D., Drury R., Durden R., Dayries R., Delavigne D., De Lacey R., Drew R., D'Avy R., Duke D., Estopinal R., Fobb R., Fitzpatrick D., Foerster D., Gaude R., Ga-kina D., Gillespie D., Holt R., Huntington D., Hill of Orleans D., Johnson Robt. R., Jonas D., Kennedy I., Kelly of Winn D., Kelly of Orleans D., Kern R., Kidd D., Leeds D., Lamare D., Lea D., Leonhard D., Newsom D., Nunez D., Peralta D., Rich-terson D., Routon R., Romero B., Raby R., Shakspeare D., Singleton D., Spiller D., Stagg D. Stewart R., Steele D., Sellers D., Self D., Tolliver R., Toler D., Voorhies D., Washington R., Wat-son R., Walker, R., Wilde D., Young D.—65 members, of whom 43 are Democrats, 21 Republicans and 1 Independent.

In addition to these there are the three members from the Seventh Ward, Messrs. Cressy Rolle and Tremoulet, all Democrats.

The following gentlemen, who were elected in November, but counted out by the Returning Board, also occupy seats in the House:

Breard, Carlisle, Dupree, Hammond, Lyons, Martin, McGehee, Means, Porter, Randolph, Ryland, Smart, Taylor, Washburn, Williams and Young—16 members, all Democrats.

Of these, Messrs. Carlisle, McGehee, Means and Smart, have no persons contesting their seats; Messrs. Lyons, Porter and Randolph come from the parishes of Grant and East Feliciana, for which the Returning Board made no returns.

Mr. Brown, of Vernon, returned elected by the Returning Board, retired in favor of Mr. Smart; Swayze, the Radical claimant for a seat from West Feliciana, in favor of McGehee, acknowledging the latter's election; Heath in favor of Carlisle and Long in favor of Means.

There have been seated on contests six members: Barbin (D.) in place of Souer, Billieu (D.) in place of Seveignes, Farguson (D.) in place of Dejoie, Kernochan (D.) in place of Melon, Rob-ertson (D.) in place of Detiege, and Sartain (R.) in place of Burton. By the resolution adopted by the Legislature Tuesday, these members hold their seats until the members against whom they entered contests appear, when they will retire in favor of the latter subject to the right of contest.

The total members of the House, therefore, consist of 87 members. Of these 65 members are so-called Returning Board members—that is, members whose seats are uncontested by anybody. The House has, therefore, four more than a quorum of Returning Board members, four more than a quorum of members whose seats are uncontested, and twenty-three more than a quorum of members elected by the people in Louisiana.

These eighty-seven members represent the entire State: only four parishes out of fifty-eight—St. John, St. James, St. Charles and Iberville—being as yet unrepresented on the floor of the Legislature.