The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-12-20

should be f6lE and Ye8pa6E9d, Anu he ALSO
went there twice at his own instance.
he did not know OF q mora serious con-
'ditioh OF affairs thAh.that which now ex-
listed in .L.ouisiansr and could sae no re-
lief, except in the manner now suggest
ed; the Judges whom he mentioned hav-
ing greater power and Independence
than the. Judges who now presided in
the Circuit Court. The course he had
indicated promised solution of the
difficulties, 80 far as the judicial ques-
tiop was concerned. In the second
place. the President OF the United
Ststca. living 1900 miles distant from
New Orleans, could not be expected
to have knowledge of all the facts.
What tho people of Louisiana wanted,
what the President wanted, and what all
good men desired, was the right of this
matter, about which there were conflict
ing statements and eliminating remarks.
The people OF that State, as represented
by the committee, also ask the executive
OK the United States to send to New Or
leans three independent, impartial,
learned and just men, to make full in
quiry into oil the facts, to take testi-
mony. and thoroughly explore the
situation. They desired that all the
facts be reported to the President.
he repeated, what they wanted was a
clear, exact, truthful. honest inves!iga-
ton into all the matters involved; and
they also asked that the President sub
NIT their memorial to Congress, together
with the result OF the Investigation,
made in the manner indicated. The
memorial 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 apprehen-
sion was that things have gone beyond
either local or State power; but in ad-
vance of any appeal to Congress, they
asked the President to make candid ex-
of their condition, through
three Of the best men of the land, aud
to submit the subject to Congress for de-
if hisshould become neces-
sary; but it may not be necessary.
President Grant. in reply, said he sup.
posed it was competent for the Supreme
Court to designate any ono of it's mem.
bers to proceed to Louisiana, but he did
not think it would be quite proper for
him to make the request of them. Con-
gress had power to investigate all 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 any other in power, al
though numerous kilograms, letters 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
the United States Marshal was simply
instructed to see that the decree of the
Federal Court was sustained, and the
forces were to be used, if neces.
sary, to support the Federal authority.
He would not feel OF liberty to make
request that Judge Bradley go to New
Orleans, particularly as he is wanted
here while the Court is in session; al
though, if the Court should make the
request, it would meet with his approba-
tion.
Judge Campbell said there was no au-
thority under the Constitution and laws
of the United States for Federal Court
to interfere with the affairs of State,
such as had taken place in Louisiana;
and he brief alluded to the decree of
the court and its effect in seating and
unseating persons elected to office.
The President, during colloquy with
Judge Campbell, said his understanding
OF the subject was the court had merely
decided who were the legal canvassers.
And even, he stated. in case the court
had exceeded its authority, its decision
will have to be respected until the deci-
sion shall be set aside by superior
court. 1t would be dangerous for the
President to sot the precedent of inter-
fering with the tlacisions of courts.
Judge Campbell remarked: If Judge
Carter, Chief Justice OF the Supreme
Court OF the District of Columbia,
should undertake to count the votes for
President and Yice-P President, and de-
Glare who were elected to these offices,
with the power of tho Government to
support him, the aot would be no more
legal than the course pursued in Louisi-
ana, under the opinion OF the court,
supported by the Federal power. The
committee did not ask the President to
decide anything. They only asked him
to investigate the matter, and to commu-
nicate to Congress the report Of the three
honest men collected by him for the pur-
pose.
The President said he could not, with.
out the action OF Congress, employ and
compensate such men.
Judge Campbell said thero was so