These measures were introduced together, as has been stated, on the third day, and action on them extended during the entire period up to the very close of the extra session. The greatest effort of the opposition was expended on the election bill. This was not a new conception of 1870, for a strenuous effort to press through such a bill under cover of the excitement of the closing days of the session of 1869 had failed. The note of alarm was sounded almost as soon as this bill was reported to the Senate by the Judiciary Committee.[228] “Now, sir, here is a bill giving the governor more than imperial power--behind it is concealed an armed Grecian horse, with which he may ride over the rights of the people....”[229] Debate raged every day from January 18 to 24. The party aspect of the bill was so evident that it was assailed at once as a device to perpetuate the Republican party in power. “I believe,” declared one member, “the only persons belonging to this State who desire this enactment are those in office, and who are afraid that unless such a bill as this is passed, they will not retain the positions they now occupy, and this fear, Mr. President, is not based on any fraud or violence that might occur at the next election in which they might become candidates, but in the simple fact that a revolution has taken place in public opinion.”[230] Even a Republican felt obliged to break from his party because of its objectionable features.[231] Feeling reached a perfect climax of frenzy and sank to depths of despondency for which it was difficult to find language sufficiently vehement. “Therefore, I hope you will believe me when I tell you that this is the snake in the grass--the form that the devil himself assumed when he seduced our mother Eve. I tell you that this is a devil, covered and concealed perhaps, under perfumed flowers, but nevertheless, the devil--his tail and horn comes out, and not only his tail, but his horns and hoof. I tell you that this bill is a devil of a bill--the concocters are devilish fellows, and the only way we can destroy their sulphuric power is to give them hell.”[232] Another outburst was clothed in more funereal garb: I believe really that if ever there has come a day to the State of Louisiana when the whole edifice of her political government ought to be draped in mourning, that day has come now. I believe if ever there has come a day when all the pomp and glory of the past had forsaken her--widowed as she is in affection, destitute of all those glorious sympathies that used to awaken a nobler people--we have arrived, unfortunately for us, at that miserable period.[233] In his excitement one member cried: “By God! I do not vote when they are passing bills here to take away the lifeblood of the people.”[234]