An interesting fact is to be noted here. In the spring of 1868, while the Democracy was wholly unorganized and the negroes aggressive under the protection of the military government, the State went Republican, but was carried by a reinvigorated Democratic party in the Presidential election of November of the same year; but in 1870 it swung back to the party in power.[280] But there are two perfectly intelligible explanations which do not necessarily invalidate the vote for Seymour in 1868: the new election law and the Enforcement Act of May 31, 1870,[281] which imposed heavy penalties for infringement upon the right to vote. FOOTNOTES: [169] Under this apparently harmless clause of the constitution he controlled even the lowest local offices in the remotest parts--constable, justice of the peace, etc. [170] Session Laws, 1868, No. 27. [171] _Ibid._, No. 75. [172] 21 Louisiana Ann., 483-485. [173] New Orleans _Commercial Bulletin_, July 19, 1869. [174] No pecuniary interest was at stake for the city, because the positions of aldermen had no salaries attached. 21 La. Ann., 744. [175] New Orleans _Commercial Bulletin_, Dec. 29, 1869. [176] New Orleans, _Comm. Bull._, _Bee_, Mar. 27, 1869. [177] The Supreme Court subsequently affirmed the judgment of the Seventh District Court, which sustained Delassize. 21 La. Ann., 710-12. [178] _Ann. Cyclop._, 1869, 398. [179] “We do not propose to inquire into the legality of the action of the Governor in ejecting Mr. Wickliffe from his office and appointing a person to supply his place, because we consider it too clear for dispute that Mr. Warmoth has no such power, and that his proceeding is a naked trespass.... The white population of Louisiana are entirely callous to the result, and don’t care whether ‘Mossup whip Barry’ or ‘Barry whip Mossup.’ They are in the situation of the onlookers at the fight of the Kilkenny cats, and would have no cause to weep if the combatants scratched each other’s eyes out.” _Bee_, Mar. 27, 1869. The _Bulletin_ and the _Picayune_ took the same side more conservatively. See _Bulletin_, Mar. 27. [180] Sen. Jour., 1870, 138 (rear of book). [181] Sen. Deb., 1870, 51. [182] House Jour., 1870, 7. [183] “He has extorted sums of money from the creditors of the state as a condition precedent to the issuance to them of the certificates of indebtedness or warrants to which they were entitled by law.” _Ibid._, 1870, 11-12. [184] _Ibid._, 1870, 141. [185] _Ibid._, 1870, 141, Sen. Jour., 130. [186] House Jour., 1870, 152-5. [187] “After a lengthy and thorough examination of all the witnesses whose attendance your committee has been able to procure, they have been able to find from the testimony elicited no foundation whatever, for any one of the charges preferred by George Wickliffe against his Excellency.” _Ibid._, 1870, 310. [188] See Sen. Jour., 1870, 2-7 (rear) for articles in full.