The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-20
THE LOUISIANA BRoIL.
Interview Between the Louisiana
Delegation and the presIdent.

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Interview Between the Louisiana
Delegation and the President.
WASHINGTON, December 1O.-This af.
ternoon the Louisiana Citizens Commit.
Lee, IN accordance with previous arrange.
ments through Attorney General VII,
llans, had an interview with President
ltrant in his business office at the ExGcu.
tive mansion. Judge Campbell explained
the purpose OF their coming to Washing.
ton and gave brief account Of the con.
ditTon ot affairs in Louisiana, in conse.
qucnce Of which commerce was seriouslv
affected and trade generally so injured
That the peOply are dismayed. This un-
favorable coalition OF affairs not only
injured that State but other States having
close business relations with Louisiana,
AS there was no prospect of a lust and
satisfactory solution OF the present trOu-
bic by means Of the agency now at work,
the people through their committee asked
that In this exigency Associate Justice
Bradley, Of the Supreme Court OF the U.
s., and Judge Wood, Of the Circuit Court
OF the U. B., may take charge OF the iu.
dicial administration Of the Circuit Court
sitting in New Orleans.
Judge Campbell said that when he oc.
cupied seat on the bench oil the Supreme
Court Of the U. s. he was twice rcouest-
ed by the Chief Magistrate to perform
such duty. that the force, power and
influence Of the court should be felt and
respected; and he also went there twice at
his own instance. He did not know of a
more serious combination OF affairs than
that which now existed in Louisiana. and
he could see no relief except in the man.
ner suggested, The Judges whom he
mentioned having greater power aud indc.
pendence than the Judge who now pre-
sides in the Circuit Court. The course
he had indicated promised solution OF
the difficulties so far as the judicial qucs.
tton was concerned. In the second place,
the President OF the United States living
1900 miles distant from New Orleans
could not be expected TO have u knowl.
edge OF all the facts; what the people OF
Louisiana wanted; what the President
wanted, and what all good men desired,
was right in this matter, about which
there were conflicting statements and
eliminating remarks. The people Of that
State as represented by the committee,
also ask the Executive Of the United
States TO send to New Orleans three inde.
pendent, impartial, learned and Just men,
TO make tull inquiry into all the facts, to
take testimony and thoroughly explore
the situation. They desired that all
the iacts be reported 10 the President. He
repeated that what they wanted was
clear, exact, truthful and honest in.
VestigatiOn into all the matters inyoly.
ed, and they also asked that the President
submit their memorial to Congress, to-
gether with the result OF the investigation
made in the manner indicated. This me.
mortal contained the signatures of many
OF the wealthiest and best men to be found
in Louisiana, and who have the largest
stake in society. His apprehension was
that things have gone beyond either local
or State power. But In advance of any
appeal to Congress they asked the PresI.
dent to make a candid examination OF
their condition through three of tho best
men in the land, and TO submit tho sub.
jeCt the subject to Congress for determi.
nation, if this should become necessary.
President Grant said he supposed that
1t was competent for the Supreme Court
to designate any Of Its members to pro-
coed to Louisiana, but he did not think Il
would be quite proper Ior him to make
the request OF them. Congress had the
power TO investigate thu laCts in the case
presented, but he did not propose 10 in.
terlere with the local affairs in that State
by putting one set OF officers or another
III power, although numerous kilograms
letters and papers, say he had done so
No action was taken by the administra.
tion until the decree OF tho United States
Court was attempted to be set aside Oh
resisted by the last Governor OF the State
Then the q. s. Marshall was simply in,
structed to sec that the decree Of the
Federal Court was sustained, and the mil
itary, forces were to be used II necessary, Ia
support the Federal authority. Hewould
not feel at liberty 10 make a request that
Judge Bradley go 10 New Orleans, par
tiCularly as he was wanted here while
Court was in session-althouEh, If thC
Court should make q request 1t woulC
meet with his appreciation.
Judge Campbell said there was no AT
thority under the Constitution and laws
of the United States for a Federal Couri
to Interfere with tue affairs of a State, anC
he briefly alluded 10 the decree Of thl
Court, and Its effect, In seating and IN.
seating persons elected to office.
The President, during the collodu,
with Judge Campbell, said his under
standing OF the subject was that the Cour
had merely decided who were the lega
canvassers, and even II, as stated in Ii
case, the Court exceeds It's authority
its decision will have to be rcspecte
until the dsctssiOn shall be set aside by
superior. 1t would be dangerous ior tn
President to set a precedent Of interIerin
with the decisions OF courts.