The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-01-14
impeachment against him, il it shall
be found be has usurped his sutbority.

pealing the law Tor the ironclad test
oath, which was lost-yess l23, nays
66, less than two thirds in the sffirma-
tive
Mr.. Sheldon, OF Louisiana, moved 10
suspend the rules and pass concurrent
resolution for the appointment o. a
Joint select committee ot three Senators
and six Representatives to inquire into
the election of State officers and mem
bers OF the Legislature held in the
State of Louisiana, on the 4th OF No
vember, 1872
Mr.. Sheldon made brief statement,
arguing the absolute necessity for inves.
tigation. 1t was not only due to the
people Of Louisiana, but to President
Grant and Judge Durell. who had been
unjustly abused on account Of their
course.
Mr.. Butler did not think committee
necessary, because it could not report
! before adjournment. Meanwhile some
thing. ought 10 be done to insure Louis
lana republican form Of government
He proposed, at proper time, to offer
bill declaring that Louisiana had no
State Government, and authorizing the
appointment OF committee by the
House to 90 down there TO hold fair
election, SO that government might be
established which would have the re-
spect oil the people of Louisiana and OF
the people of the United States gener-
ally.
Mr.. Sheldon inquired whether Con-
gress he'd sufficient facts in its posses
sion to justify such an action.
Mr.. Butler replied affirmstively, and
he did not doubt the power Of Con
gress to act as suggested. 1t was for
Congress TO determine the legality of
the returns. All he wanted was TO
have real government down there.
At present all was anarchy.
Mr.. Saeldon said that there was no
proof, but that the State was at present
10 peace.
Mr.. Butler replied that peace aud an
archy meant two things. There was
peace in Louisiana 10 1862. but il was
because there were Federal bsyonets
there, and there was also an anarchy,
tor there Was no State government
Anarchy did not mean bloodshed, but
it meant that the State was without q
government.
Mr. Farnsworlh, OF Illinois. said he
would not vote for the bill as suggested
by Mr.. Butler until all the facts could
be brought out by committee, as sug-
gested by Mr.. Sheldon There might
be ANARCHY in Louisiana, but not suf
ficient to justify Congressional inter
ference.
Mr.. Kerr, OF Indiana, characterized
Mr.. Buffers proposition as subversive
OF law and good order. Louisiana had
a government, republican in form, and
il it was overthrown it would be by one
man, and he Federal Office (Durell.) }
1t WAS 10 overcome the judgment Of the
people that this infamous judge was
given the hard Of power OF the Federal
Government.
Mr.. Sheldon, who moved the resolu-
ton. said It was due TO the President
and Durell that the investigation asked
for be granted.
| Mr. Dawes, OF Massachusetts,, in
auired what remedy.Mr. Kerr proposed
Mr.. Kerr replied that his course wa
plain it consisted alone in the Federal
Government keeping its hands off Of
Louisiana-keeping al, lawlessness
away. Let them 90 on under the pro-
visions OF the Constitution and organic
their own government.
Mr.. Smith, OF New York, suggested
that If the Federal Government had
KEEP, its hands of, and the last election
for President depended on the electoral
vote OF Louisiana, civil war might have
resulted.
Mr.. Kerr saw no civil war 10 come
out of the Louisiana bubble unless Mr..
Buffers suggestions were carried out.
Mr. Poland, of Vermont. doubted
whether Congress could interfere in
State matters, even as suggested by the
Sheldon resolution.
Mr.. Hale, OF Maine, advocated Mr.
Buffers suggestion, saying the people
would hold the Republican party re-
sponsibe for the restoration Of peace IN
Louisiana.
Mr.. Dawes argued that in the case OF
the federal officers Congress might ln-
terfere, but he doubted the interference
between the State officers. The ques'
ton might oome up in February, when
the electoral votes are counted, and the
Constitution provided no tribunsl to
meet the question, but the court should
determine al to the State officers. After
the court had decided what is de
fdcto government it was duty OF the
executive 10 sustain the decree OF the
court.
Mr. Eldrdge, OF Wisconsin denied
sny occasion tor interference.
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, thought there
were verv few in the House who would
consent to do as Mr. Butler had sug-
ges,ed, or venture in that DIRECTION. In
the absence OF facts other than those
nov before them, the proper cour1e fol
the House a. this time vas to ree er to
the Committee on the Judiciary the
message from the President which was
now on the Speakers table, to see and
report il any action on the part OF Con-
press was necessary. and to that end he
would offer AZ q substitute for Mr..
Sheldon's resolution, 8 resolution refer
ring to the Presidents message, With
directions to report at as early day as
possble and with leave to report at any
tine.
The House. by q viva vocs vote,
adopted Gsr6eld's resolution.
The Speaker then laid before the
House the Presidents message, re-
ferred to, accompanied BY reports on
Louisiana, aud ordered it printed and
referred to the Judiciary Committee.