The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-12-26

Interview of tIae Citizens Coma
mfGtee with Ghe President
CamPbeII's Explanation Of
Ghe SiGmaGiOm-RePIy of

CampbeIl's Explanation of
she 6iGuatiOm--RePIy Of
Ihe President.
! WARRINGTON, Dee. l9.-This afternoon.
| the Louisiana Citizens Committee, IN ac-
cordance with a previous arrangement
| through Attorney General Williams. held
/ an interview with President Grant in his
| business office at the Executive Mansion,
! The Committee having been introduced
| 10 the President by Attorney General VIII
| liams. Judge Campbell explained tbs pur-
\ nose of their coming to Washington, and
| 1aye a brief account OF the condition OF AT
/ fairs in Louisiana, in cOnSeq uence of which
commerce was seriously affected ana trade
generally so injured that the people are
| damaged; and this uDtavOrable condition OF
/ affairs not only injured that State, but 9TH
/ er States having close business relations
with Louisiana. As there was no prospect
/ of Just and satisfactory solution OF the
present trouble by means of the agency
! now mt work, the people, through their
/ Committee. asked that in this eXigency As
sociate Justice Bradley, OF the supreme
| Court of the United States, may take charge
| of the judicial administration of tie Circuit
Court sitting in New Orleans.
! Judge CaInbel said that when he Occu-
! pied a seat on the bench OF the Supreme
Court OF the United States, he was twice re-
| ouested bV the Chief Magistrate to perform
/ such duty, in order that the force, power and
! influence Of the court should be felt and re-
/ fected: and he alse went three times, at his
| own instance. He did not know of more
| serious condition of affairs than that which
/ now existed in louisiana, and could
see no relief exceptin the manner now sug-
! gested. the Judges whom he mentioned hav-
| ing greater power and independence IMAM
| the Judge who at present presided IN the
| Circuit Court. The course he had indlcut-
ed promised a solution of the difficulties 80
| far as the judicial question was concerned,
| La the second place, the President OF the
/ United States, living twelve hundred miles
/ distant from New Orleans, could not be eN-
pected 60 have knowledge OF all The facts
| What the people OF Louisiana wanted, what
| the President wanted, and what all good
| men desired, was the right OF this matter,
| about which there were conflicting state
ments and eliminating remarks. The pe0-
| pie OF chat State, as represented by the COM
| Inittee, also ask the Executive OF the Unit
! ed States to send to New Orleans three indie
/ pendent, impartial, learned aud just men 70
make full enquiry into all the facts, 10
! take testimony. and thoroughly explore the
| situation. They desired that all the facts
| be reported to the President; he re ported
what they wanted was a clear, exact, truth
| full and honest investigation into all the
| matters involved, aud they also asked that
the President submit their memorial To
| Congress, together with the result OF the
| investigation, made in the manner indicat-
ed This memorial contained the signature
| of the WealthiesU aud best men to be found
! In Louisiana, and who have the largest stake
| in society. His apprehsion was that things
| have gone beyond either local or state
| power. but in advance of any appeal To
! Congress, they asked the President to make
| candid explanation of their condition
through three of the best men in the land,
and submit the subject TO Congress for de-
termination, if this should become necessa-
~ but il may not be necessary.
President Grant in reply said, lac supposed
it was competent for the Supreme Court 20
designate any onepf Its members 10 proceed
! To Louisiana; but he did not think il would
I i'm 70 lgkAf
OF them. Congress had power To inVesti-
gate the facts in the case presented, but he
did not propose to Interfere with the local
affairs in that State, by putting one set OF
officers or another in power, although nu-
merous kilograms, letters and papers say he
had done so. No action was taken by the
Administration till the decree ofthe United
States Court was attempted TO be set aside,
or resisted by the lastGuYeln nor of the State
then the United States Marshal was simply
instructed to see that the decree of the Fed
eral Court was sustained, and the military
forces to be used il necessary to support the
Federal authority. He would not feel at
liberty to make a request that Judge Brad
ley go to New Orleans, particularly as he
was wanted here while the Supreme Court
is in session, although II the court should
make the request, IL would meet with his
appreciation.
Judge Campbell said there was no au-
thority under the Cor stitutiOn and laws OF
the United States, for a Federal court to in !
u ftere with the affairs OF a state. such
had taken place in Louisiana, ana he briefly |
alluded to the decree OF the court and its |
effect in seating and unseating persons |
elected TO Office.
The President, during a colloouy with
Judge Campbell, said his understanding of
the subject was the court had merely deci- |
ded who were the legal 'canvassers, and
even if as stated in this case, the court eX-
ceeded its authority. its decision will have !
TO be respected until the decision shall be |
set aside by Il superior court. 1t would |
be dangerous for the President To set the |
precedent of interfering with the decisions |
of courts.
Judge Campbell remarked If Judge Car
ter, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court OF !
the District of Columbia, should undertake |
to count the votes tor President and Vice
President, and declare who were elected to |
these offices, with the power of the Govern |
ment to support him, the act would te no |
more legal than the course pursued in Lou !
is ana under the opinion of the court, sup |
ported by the Federal power. Tue COM
mites did not ask the President to decide 4
anything; they only aske him to inVesti- |
gate the matter, and communicate to Con- |
gress the report OF three honest men select |
ed by him for the purpose.
Inc president SAID he could not without |
the action of Congress employ and COM I
pensate such men.
Judge Campbell said there was so much /
patriotism involved the gentlemen would |
trust to Congress for compensation.
The President replied that without Con-
gressional authority such n committee |
could not administer oaths or compel the |
attendance of witnesses.
Judge Campbell said the committee |
would communicate with those acquainted
with all the circumstances, and learning the
facts report the truth; what they wanted
was a responsible inquiry by men whom
every one knew would tell the truth.
The President replied that such com
mittee should have authority by law TO
send for persons and papers, and examine
witnesses on oath.
Judge Campbell asked whether the Presi-
dent would receive for the committee the |
facts ia the case; they did not wish to go |
outside of them.
The President replied that they would be |
examined by the Attorney General, if it was |
thought proper to do so.
State approximations Fease Xxx
plains why the School Fund
HAS Not Been Distributed