The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-30
Ano status u AUuIslana.

~no SGztus VI nUuGslana.
Who can give us any tangible information on this
subiect9 Does J. Madison Wells hold his position as
governor by virtue of the constitution of 1864, or
by an appointment provisional governor from
the president? We have frequently been asked this
question, and not being able to give satisfactory
sucr have in turn, repeated the nterrogatory;
and we have yet to find the individual who could give
US any insight into the matter. Some of the New
Orleans papers speak very enthusiastically about the
coming election, but fail to tell us when it is coming
of, and under What auspices. We canddly wish that
some OF our city contemporaries who are supposed to
know everything Transporting at the fountain head,
would enlghtcn on the subject, SO that may be
able to inform the citizens of this dark region when
they have the privilege Of electng civil officers Tor
the government Of the State If we are to live under
the constitution of 1854 want to know 1t and pre-
pare our minds for it. be it good or bad IT, on the
other hand, we live under provisional government,
why has not steps been taken before this to bring
back into the Union the same the other States have
done which have provisional governors? By answer
inc these questions, gentlemen Of the bed-blanket
nress you will not only confer favor US, but
should Judge Dy the eAtlaSt 4Lol hAOlOC
Intelligencer, on another writer lost in the fog:
It has been impossible for US to understand with
any accuracy the character and validity of our State
government under the leadership of Gov Wells.
If we have been correctly informed, election VAS
held in the parishes then within the federal lines by
virtue of an order of Gen. Banks,-and in that cleo
ton Mr. Hahn chosen for governor, and Mr.. Wells
as lieutenant governor A convention then called,
and, on the 23d July, 1864, constitution adopt
nj frvoa
lied under the constitution thus formed. In the mean
time Mr.. Hahn was elected to the United States
senate by the first legislature that assembled under
new government, and Dir. Wells became the governor
OF the State.
The State government, thus inauguTated, has been
in operation for nearly year but, far as we can
learn, has been recognized by the federal gov
ernment at least in such place its rights
and powers beyond the reach of cavil.
When the surrender of the Confederate forces be-
came complete, and president johnson commenced na
work Of reconstructng the southern States, he ap-
pointed provisional governors for North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and
Texas. Gov. Pierpont recognized as the governor
OF Virginia, under the State organization made at Al
exandria, and to which, the quasi government OF weR
tern Virginia gave in its adhesion The States Of
Tennessee and Arkansas had organized new govern
ments which it is believed have been recognized by
the federal executive authorities.
1t also expected that the constitution Of 1854
for Louisiana and the organization under that instru
ment, would receive the sanction of the executive or
in the event of its rejection, provisional governor
would be appointed as in North Carolina, and con-
yention be called It will be recoeced that in one
Of the last productions Of president Lincoln, it
evident that his views pointed to the recognition of
the government established in July 1874. Since the
accession OF president Johnson definite action has
been taken in the matter far as the public has been
informed. Is Gov. Wells acting by virtue of the pow
ers vested in him under the constitution Of 1864 or
~ virtue of an appointment military governor p
80 proclamation OF the president has been issued
Gov. Wells provisional governor, nor
any act been done the part of the national
eeutive that clearly admits the validity of the State
organization We occupy this anomalous position
If Gov Wells is acting under the constitution of
S64, then general election must take place in No.
'emher next; if acting provisional governor then
he first step towards reconstruction must he a con
'ention to frame organic law We see it intimated
hat the president has recently decided the question:
" appointing Gov, Wells provisional governor If
his be so, then all the appointments made by Gov.
Wells, OF State officers, must fall to the ground, be
ause they made by him under the authority of
ne constitution of 1864 land under the new order
things, thus intimated, the president ignores the
resent State organization and proposes reconstruct
re State DE- 1t is a subject of momentous in
rest to the people of Louisiana and every movement
wards the speedy rehabilitation Of the State bring
g that much nearer to the much desired re-estab-
shment Of civil rule.