New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-04
LOUISIANA.
THE MYSTERIES OF IT'S POLITICAL FAC
TIONS


IMPEACHMENT PROJECrS-A CONFLICT OF
AUTHORITY.
IPROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE !
NEw-ORLEANs, La, Dec. 3l.--The sudden
death Of Lieut.-GOv. Dunn has somewhat complicated
the political situation in this State. In his DEATH It was
felt the party in opposition to Gov. Warmoth had
met with an almost irretrevable loss. On the other
hand, the adhercnts Of the Governor found
themselves in most embarrassing position.
The demand general political reform has become
widespread and pressing and the grievances complained
of palpably beyond endurance that the State
officials felt themselves forced to yield somewhat to the
demand. The agitation OF grievances among the people
dad led 10 the formation Of sOcaled Citizens Asso
citation" Between the Committees of this Association
the Governor several meetings and discussions had
taken place In these the Governor had pledged himself
in various ways in aid Of reform measures IL s
charged that I'm doing he was seeking the
support Of the Democracy in the coming campaign but
whatever may have their motives the pledges
certainly distinctly gwen Not the least of those was in
speech made at supper gwen for the occasion at the
residence of citizen OF some considerable prominence
this have il from leading gentleman present, the
Governor promised his and in curtang the growing In
ueDce and power of the negroes in their demands for
office. 49,
The death OF Lieut. Gov. Dunn, following, II did
Immediately after, placed him in predcament The
negroes representing, they do, almost the entire Re-
publican VOTE not TO be sighted with impunity.
in alternating them from the Governors support, and
uniting them with the opposition Something must be
done in the choice OF 20 create diversion in
Gov Warmoths favor. To make the matter still more
embarrassing there doomed up in small proportions
the cloud of impending impeachment. That this If
within the bounds of possibility, TO be Effected at
all hazards by the opposition foregone conclusion
Something must done ward Off the blow. To bre ak
faith with the Citizens Association" was to drive the
Democratic members Of the Legislature TO the support
the opposition. To keep IT, the other hand, was to
lose all hope of creating diversion among the negroes,
and unite them in solid pbalanx against him.
Nor this by far the most embarrassing feature Of
the case BY the Constitution Of louisiana the simple
passage Of articles Of impeachment suspends from Office
session OF the Legislature too, is med TO co days
Provision made for the disposition of articles of
impeachment in case OF adjournment. AS the next
Legislature brings in Governor il is seen that his
suspension if carried by little maneuvering to the close
the session, ehectualy disposes Of Coy. Warmoth
That such exactly the programme OF his opponents is
well known. 1t plain that il Offers less bride than
the Governors position to him who legally fills the Lieu
tenanGovernor's chair The great point. therefore,
with Gov. WaTmOh in selecting successor to Lieut..
Gov. Dunn was TO secure who either would
not or could not sell out TO the opposition.
To find who ,rOuld not declared at once TO be
beyond the bounds Of possibility in Louisiana. This was
Virtually admitted by the Governor in interview be-
tween a committee of the Citizens Association" and
himself Immediately following the death of Lieut.. Gov.
Dunn.
The Committee having in view his pledges, called to
impress him with the opportunities presented for their
fuhllment. The Committee claimed that the power OF
appointment was vested in the Governor denied his
right in the Constitution to convene a single branch
of the Legislature for such purpose. In either case,
however they insisted that the Governor cause to be
elevated TO the position person whose character and
standing should be in accord with his the GOvernor
professions. The Governor replied IN effect that he
cnuld uota IN heir n
select acceptable 10 them would at sell out TO
the opposition, join in the move for impeachment and
thus become Governor. To ward off this threatened
danger was evidently the first consideration.
For a time, as understood, II mooted question
with the Governor whether to assume the responsibility
OF appointment to leave IT with the Senate to fill
the vacancy Just fear that the Senate might prove
somewhat refractory regards confirmation seems TO
have decided the matter An extra session of that body
was convened proclamation the 9th Of the present
month for three-fod purpose The selection Of a
cessor to Governor Dunn; the confirmation OF Ex-
ecutye appointmens and the examination of the books
and accounts Of both Houses Of the last Legislature,
were the designated objects Of the session.
From the Of the CALL the warrant or authority OF
law for converting single branch Of the General As
stmbly was denied by the opposition. II was claimed
On fact arrogant assumption Of power, IN no wise
either specific implied. That the opposition were
prepared for the issue was evident From the ns
their Strength in the main in the lower House me
senate the contrary was looked upon as the espeea
str the
ments among it's members with most lavish hand
Not few OF Them IN fact held two and even three posi-
tons at time. Others were well understood 10
control their parish appointments which they in true
Louisiana STYLE farned out again In all previous CON
tess the Governor had generally managed to control III
a measure. the Democratic vote Inc 0pposiuOh hau
therefore been able TO obtain but small footing IN the
senate They had, however, been making use OF such
opportunities as were presented; 9aGn % 'n9
TIE Simmer months in a somewhat mpcclnious posi-
ton were taken and provided for, several receiving
"A fbe time for converting the Senate drew near It
became understood that the Governors candidate was
Mr. ond bsTe been no mora obecoDSbe
to the Democracy. He was, TO begin WIN! cOloreu
dsss This however was not an ebjec
ton Tor Iieu-Gov Dunn had the respect Of them
all Mr. Pinchback seems TO have been personally IN
popular not only among the Democracy but among the
negroes themselves IT. Is perhaps ,.t not gen gen
the negroes of darker hue there exists
q deep-seated and seemingly nextngushaoe jealousy
Lieut.-GoY. Dunn quite dark. MT Pnchback on
the other hand would readily pass muster as OleraDly
hght-complexiOned spaniard. The two were looked
upon representatives, Of their specuye classes MT
Pinchback was credited with lively Jealousy OF the
prominence and popularity Of Mr. Dunn; Lieut-G0y
Dunn with but little confidence IN the purity OF mOuxe
governing the political course Of Mr. Pinch6ack BE this
may, the colored followers Of the late LeutGover
far at least have hte falth IN hs successor Az
the same time the whites Of the opposition profess an
open contempt for him. - -,
wishing the elevation OF Mr.. Pinchback may seem In
comprehensive IT was boldly charged by the opp9sl-
dread OF impeachment alone MI Pinchback, II was
said was 40 personally Objectionable that he could not
he would sell out 70 the OPPOSITION IN repeabg tns
am merely giving the stated by the latter party
The eve OF the session found the parties very evenly
balanced. Between the Democracy ana tne CRpOslOn
I. coalition readily effected. Even mad they been
disposed temporze the pressure Of public opinion ett
the Democratic members no other course 10 pursue,
Senator Copeland who Is generally reputed as one OF the
ANONYMOUSLY agreed upon as candidate for Lieutenant
Governor. This, and the pledge 70 rePeal OF
together with the public printing bill perfected the
coalition Inc opposton o. sn ,os rms gave an ex