Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-20
WASHINGTON.
Citizens Committee from Louisiana
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y Wait upon President Grant
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-
General to-day.
This afternoon the Louisiana citizens
committee in accordance with previous
arrangements through rAttorney General
Williams, had an interview with President
Grant ia his business Office at the Execu-
tive Mansion. Judge Campbell explained
the purpose of their coming to Washing
ton and gave q brief account of the con-
dition of affairs in Louisiana In conse-
quence of which commerce was seriously
affected and trade generally 30 injured that
the people are -dismzyed. This unfayor-
able conditioned affairs notonly injured that
State but other States having close business
relations with Louisiana. As there was no
prospect OF a just and satisfactory solution
Of the present trouble by means of the
agencies now az work, the people, through
this committee, asked that in this exigency
Associate Justice Bradley, of the Supreme
Court of the United States, and Judge
Woods, Of the Circuit Court Of the United
States, may take charge OF the judicial ad-
miDistration of the Circuit Court holding
in New Orleans. Judge Campbell said
that when he occupied q seat on the bench
ofthe Supreme Court of the United States,
he was twice requested by the Chief Magis-
trate to perform such duty, In order that
the force, power aud influence of the courts
should be felt and respected, and
he also went there, twice, at his
own instance. He did not know
of a more serious condition of affairs than
that which now existed ia, Louisiana, and
could see no relief except in the manner
now suggested, the Judges whom he men
toned having greater power and independ
enee than the Judge who now presided in
the Circuit Court. The course be had indi-
Gated promised solution OF the difficulties
50 far as the judicial question was con-
cernsd.. In the second place the President
Of the United States, living 1,20O miles dis
tant from New Orleans, could not be eX
pected to 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 in this matter, about which there
were conflicting statements and eliminating
remarks. The psop!e OF that State, as rep
resented by the committee, also ask the
Executive of the United States to send
to New Orleans three independent impair
tial, learned and jast men, to make full
inquiry into all the facts, TO take testimony
and thoroughly explore the situation. They
desired that all the facts be reported to the
President. He repeated that what they
wanted was clear, exact, truthful, honest
Investigation into all the matters involved,
and they also asked that the President sub
NIT their memorial to Congress. together
with the result of az Investigation made in
the manner iudic ated. This memorial con-
tanned the signatures Of many of the
Wealhiest and best men to be found in
Louisiana, ard who have the largest stake
in society. His apprehension was that things
have gone beyond either local or State
power, but in advance Of amy appeal to
| Congress they asked the President 10 make
a candid examinatio Of their condition
through three Of the best men Of the land
and to submit the subject TO Congress for
determination If this should become neces-
sary, but it may not be 50.
President Grant in reply said be sup
posed it was competOnt for tae Supreme.
Court to designate any one OF its members
| to proceed to Louisiana, but be did not
! think It would be quite proper for lin to
make the request of tuem. Congress had
power to investigate the facts in the case
| presented, but be did moi propose to inter-
| fere with the local affairs of that State by
! putting one set OF officers out or another in
! power. Although numerous telegrams, let
| ters and papers say he had done SO, no
| action was taken by the Administration
! until the decree of the United States Court
/ was attempted TO be set aside or resisted
by the last Governor of the State. Then tha
! United States Marshal was simply instruct
! ed TO see that the decree Of the Federal
/ Court was sustained, and the military
forces were to be used if necessary to sap-
port the Federal authority. He would not
| feel at liberty to make request that Judge
| Bradley go to New Orleans, particularly IS
be is wanted here while the court is in ses-
| sion, although if the court make the re-
quest it would meet with his appreciation.
Judge Campbell said there was no au-
| thoritY under the constitution and laws of
the United States fora Federal Court to in
terfere with the affairs Of State as it had
in Louisiana, and he briefly alluded to the
| decree of the court and its effect in seating
and uUseating persons elected to Office.
4 The President, during the coDoquy with
4 Judge Campbell, said his understanding of
4 the subiect was chat the court had merely
decided who were the legal Canvassers, and
even If as stated, ia case the court exceeded
its authority, its decision will have to be
respected until the decision shall be set
aside by a superior court. 1t would be
dangerous for the President to set the pre-
cent of interfering with the decisions of the
courts. .,..-.
Judge Campbell remarked that if Judge
! Cartier, Chief Justice of the Supreme
! Court of the District of Columbia, should
undertake to count the votes for President
and Vice President, and declare who were
elected to those offices with the power Of
the government to support him, the act
would be no more legal than the course
pursued in Louisiana under the opinion 0 f
the court supported by the Federal power.
The committee did not ask the President TO
decide anything. They only asked him TO
1 investigate the matter and TO communicate
to Congress the report Of three honest men
selected by him for the purpose.
The President said he could not, without
the action of Congress, employ and COM
pensaie such men,
Judge Campbell said there was so much
patriotism involved the gentlemen could
trust to Congress for compensation.
The President repealed that without
Congressional authority such comm i5tee
could not administer osths, or compel the at
tendance of Witnesses. a,-#r
Judge Campbell said q committee could
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
body knew would tell the Truth.
The President repeated that such COM
mittee should have authority by law to send
for persons aud papers and examine wit
nesses on oath. s'-225- ~'5l-.
Judge Campbell asked whether the Pres
ident would receive from the committee the
law and facts in the case. They did not
wish to 90 outside of them. -....
The President replied they would be eK-
arained by the Attorney General if it was
thought proper to do SO. -s...-
The committee viii hold another meet
ing Tomorrow morning. The probable
programme Is that the subcommittee OF
live members will remain here in charge of
the subject, and that the remainder of the
committee win visit the great centers OF
trade where they have business relations.
LORan's Pet.
The Irosidont sent to the Senate to-day
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