The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-02
Congressional Status of Louisiana and
Georgia.
Mo,a The ". Y. Times.

rTOIH U6 W. l. 1WpeS'
The Tribune, the other day, in its Washing
ton correspondence, announced as fixed fact
''That the Clerk will not call the names of the
Representatives from the States of Georgia
and Louisiana on the assembling of the next
Congress-"
That this purpose has been entertained, so
far as Georgia is concerned, and that the ob-
ject to be effected is the retention of full
two-thirds majority in the new House, are
matters which do not admit of doubt. The
intimation to which we refer vas not confined
to the 1,ibune's columns; and its publication
was evidently intended to pave the way for a
promised resolution of the Reconstruction
Committee in favor of the expulsion of the
present Georgia members. The pretext for
that proceeding, as well as for the omission
of the other names from the roll of the new
Congress, was, of course, the alleged viola
tion by the local Legislature of the conditions
of restoration.
Later dispatches encourage the hope that
the influence of General Grant has suticed to
prevent the contemplated outrage. The Re-
construction Committee, we are told, has for
the present dropped its intention to reopen the
question in Georgia by recommending the
expulsion of its Representatives. This deci-
sion, we trust, will be adhered to. For all the
purposes Of the law, reconstruction has been
completed in Georgia. It's Representatives
have occupied seats in the expiring Congress,
with their title unchallenged; they have par
ticipated in its proceedings, and shared all the
privileges Of the members around them. The
vote of the State in the Presidential election
has been counted; and in all essential respects
its standing in the Capitol is as good as that
of Massachusetts, or New York. To expel its
members now, with the record as it is, would
be fagrant act of usurpation. To direct the
Clerk not to call the names of those whom il
sends to the new Congress, on the ground
assigned by those who urge the step, weuld
be morally and constitutionally not one whit
better.
Our own correspondent recently stated
that the Georgia names will be omitted from
the roll on Tuesday next, because there are
no credentials here, and there is question az
to whether they have ever been legally
elected" The former of these reasons, il
| nothing occur to change it, will necessitaie
the omission. The Clerk cannot call names oi
which he has not been officially advised. But
neither he nor the present House has right
to raise question affecting the validity of the
State election. The bearers of credentials
have prima fdcie title to seats; whether they
may be unseatsd and their places assigned to
others is a question for the next House to
determine, after proper scrutiny by the Elec-
! tion Committee. right nowhere exists, in
the meantime, to refuse recognition to mem
bers elect because the advocates of extreme
measures, for purposes of their own, impugn
the legality of their election. Upon that
point the Republican party of Georgia is
divided; and the section which favors the
acceptance, by Congress, of things as they
are, seems to us more powerful and more
entitled to consideration than that which
recommends the violent measures which
until Saturday, the Reconstruction Committe,
was disposed TO press upon the House.
The anne policy which, as upheld by Gene
raj Grant, has prevailed even in Mr.. Bout
Wells mind, points to the inclusion of tn,
Georgia members in the roll to be called OF
the Fourth. II is just as important, just a
expedient, to recognize Georgia then-if tn
credentials OF its Representatives. be in tn
hands OF the CleIk-as 1t is now to leave un
disturbed the title Of the present members.
And why should Louisiana be excluded
The moral completeness Of its reconstruction
may be less obvious than that Of South Caro-
lima or Alabama, but in legal aspect it /
quite as perfect. No proposal has been mad
in its case to upset reconstruction and begil
anew. Its standing in the Union is unassaile
and unassailable. 1t is true that charges Q
fraud and violence have been preferred, affect
ing the seats of some who will claim admis
sion as its Representatives. 1t is, moreover
not improbable that formal investigation ma
reveal sufficient to vitiate their election
These, however, are points to be considere
by the next House. No party caucus, n
committee now in existence has any excus
for passing judgment on er parte information
in a manner unknown to the Constitution an
the law. Least of all may the Clerk, wit
any shadow of reason or law, usurp the fun
tions OF the House or the Election COMMITTEES
and rule ont members who can be properl
unseated only In one'way.
/ The proceeding, whether in regard
Georgia or Louisiana, would be greatly al
cxauafad Inv ita tranRnarAnt nartiaaD tandAnOy