New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-02-23
COMMISSIONERS 10 WASHINGTON.


cnMMTssroNERs 10 WASHINGTON.
y lsss
we really cannot see the force Of the obleeflon
10 the immediate adoption Of the resolutions u
san5 commissioners to Washington. Let u "
granted mat there Is a difference Of OPINION De
fveeu the Governor and the legislature on the sun
All II inunjripa, ana paroehial elections does
necessar,r follow that the Governor and the Legs
~ rnot agree Ii, the cordial support Of Presi
dsDt Johnsorf,s reconstruction policy Let i o.
rrauted that the difficulties between the wv
\ branches Of the State government are II
fair way Of adjustment; vet why snoui'
tbsf act induce the legislature 70 hesitate
sand commissioners to Washington to re
nresent lie state ii matter which has not the re
mn.est connection with those difficulties TIL
oh;act II sending such commissioners has refer
an, ! so,ely to the relations Of the State with tn
Federal government. The disagreement betwee
Governor Wells and the legislature has referene
solely to a question of domestic policy.
we are sure that the President does not want t
/ be annoyed, especially at this moment by an
such question and we are equally sure that wer
it presented to him he would remit it to the author
| ity which, reasonably, has exclusive jurisdiction
over 1.-THE people and the legislature of the
State. The President has more than once signiied
his desire that the exercise of local civil rights
should be resumed within the States at the earliest
practicable moment, as prelude to the complete
restoration of State rights in the Union. inc
attempt to persuade the people of Louisiana
that the desperate attempt of interested ana IN
popular officials to hold on to the emoiumentsA OF
office in utter defiance of an overwhelming puoiie
opinion, and in contempt Of express law IS backed
by the President has thus far met with very little
success. In fact, nobody pays any attention 10 1t
except those who are interested In propagaung
the story.
At all events the members of the legislature
know very well that the contest on this point is
limited strictly to themselves and the people on
one side, and the Governor and the actual office
holders on the other side. As far as an earnest
and vigorous support of the Presidents policy is
concerned, they know too that there is, or ought
to be-, no difference of opinion. They have no
reason to believe that Coy. Wells does not cordially
approve of that policy, and, of course, they cav
have no reason to suppose that he would not
equally approve of the plan of sending commits.
sioners to Washington to assure the President of
The warm and undivided support of Louisiana in
hat great struggleon which he has entered in be.
lalf of her rights and interests.
Yet, even if@it were at all necessary that the
people Of the State should agree all matters Of
domestic concern before yenturing to send com
nissioners to Washing ton, it does not by any means
ollow that the Governor and the legislature should
arrivesat the same happy concord of
opinion. If the Governor represented, in this mat
er, any party in the State, there might, perhaps,
be some force in the claim for delay which has
,sen argued in the legislature. But in relation to
he subject under consideration, the views of the
Governor are entitled to no more weight than those
If private individual. In his opposition to the
election bill he represents nobody but himself and
small circle of officials. The number of persons
Who espouse his cause in his controversy with the
legislature is entirely too inconsiderable to const
ute an appreciate element in the formation of
public opinion. Whether he come to an agree
nent with the legislature, or whether he persist in
lis position Of antagonism, the character Of pub
ic sentiment on the subject will not be varied in
he slightest degree. Its intensity only would be
or mitigated. in accordance with the
course which the Governor may think proper to
pursue.
But we repeat, that the controversy between
Governor Wells and the legislature on the ques-
ton of parochial and municipal elections has not
the slightest relevancy to the question of sending
commissioners to Washington. We want to assure
President johnson of orr warm sympathy and
undivided support in his impending controversy
with the radicals. Why should we delay in doing
20 because Governor Wells has not yet made up
lis mind on the question of electng Mayor and
aldermen in New Orleans and district and paro-
hiaisoffcers throughout the State If the Gov
runr come IN apreement with tho manila and tho /
legislature on these points, SO much the better /;
ut whether he come to such agreement or not,
It US show that whatever differences may exist [
mcng ourselves on questions Of internal State
ohcy, we are perfectly united, Governor Wells
lcluded, in sustaining the President with all our
over and ability. @ as/