Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-03-05
Message from the President.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT on
LOUISIANA AFFAIRS.

MESSAGE FROM II PRESIDENT on
LOUISIANA AFFAIRS.
WAsHINGToN, February ..
The President e the 70 lowing
message to Congress to day:
To The Sc1l"fc md House Of Representa-
tires.
Your attention is respectfully invi-
ted TO tlle condition of affairs in the
state OF Louisiana. Crave comp ica-
tiuns have grown out OF the election
there on the 9th OF November, chiefly
attributable, Ii - believed, to an or
gained attempt Oh the part of those
controlling the election of officers and
the returns, TO defeat the will of the
majority of the electors of the state.
Different persons claiming to be exec
utive officers, two bodies claiming TO
be The legislative asst mbly, aud the
confusion and uncertainty nrnhured
in this way fall with para wing effect
on all its interests. a cun.r oversy
arose as soon as the election Ot Cured,
over its proceedings and results, but
/ declined to interfere, till the suit
Involving this controversy 10 A GER
tain extent, was brought into the Cir
{ EAlL OGuIA Oh klAt OAAAtu stats oAA
der and by virtue of the act OF May3l
1870, entitled An act-to enforce the
right of citizens of the United States,
to vote in the several states OF the
Union, and for other purposes:
Finding resistance made to the judi
cial process i'm that suit, without OPP
po-tunity, and in my judgment, with.
out right 20 revie" tie Judgement oi
the couri on the jUTisdivtiOnal or other
questions arising ia the case, l direct
ed the United States Marshal TO use, IL
necessary, troops for that purpose,
in Accordance with the 18th section oil
said act. which provides that 1t shaii
be lawful for the President OF the
United States TO employ such part oil
the land or naval forces of the Cnlttd
States, ORC the MALTA, as shall re
necessary 10 aid in the execution OF
the Judicial process under this act.
Two bodies of persons claimed TO Ne
the returning board for the State, ana
the Circuit Court in the case, decided
the M to which Lynch Belonged
usually designated by his name, Tue
lawful returning hoard, aud this De
cissiOn has been repeatedly affirmed
by the District aud Supreme Courts al
the State.
Having no opportunity or over TO
canvass the votes, and the exigency
of the case demanding an immediate
decision, / conceive il to be my duty
to recognize those persons as elected
VINO received and held their creden-
tials to Office, from what then appear
ell to me to b.. and has since been de
cided by the Supreme Court OF the
| State and by the legal returning
board ConfOTmably to tie session
/ of this board, a full set of officers has
heeu installed. and 4 legislative assem-
bly, organized under the Constitution,
if not a de iure at least a de facto gov
eminent, which, since sometime in
December last, has taken possession
| of the offices. and has been exercising
the powers of government. But OPP
posed to this has been another gov
eminent, claiming 20 control the af-
fairs of the stale, and which has to
some extent been pro fOrnla organized.
The recent investigation of the cleo
ton developed so many frauds
and fOrgeriSs, as TO axe il doubtful
what candidates received the MAORI
ty of the votes actually cast, and in
view of these factsa variety of actions
have been proposed. | have no spe-
| cific recommendation 10 make upon
the subjscT, hut if there is any practi-
cal way of removing these difficulties
by legislation, then | earnestly request
that such q .tion be taken at the pres
ent session Of Congress.
II seems advisable that l should
state now, what coarse I shall feel
bound tn pursue i'm reference to the
matter, i'm the event of 10 action by
Congress, at this time, subject to any
satisfactory arrangement that may be
made 10y the parties 10 the controver-
sy, which of all things is most desirs-
BILE. Ii will be my duty, 30 far as it
may be necessary for me TO act, to
adhere to that government heretofore
recognized by me. To Judge Of the
election and qualification of its menu
beers is the exclusive province of the
Senate. Ii also is the executive pro-
vince of the House To Judge OF the
election aud qualification of its menu
hers, but rs tn the state offices. filled
under the state laws, the decision oil
the state courts, il seems to me, ought
to he respected. / am anxious to
avoid any appearance of undue inter.
ence in state ;%ffairs, and if Congress
differs from me as to the work to be
done, | most respectfully urge its i'm
mediate decision to that effect. Other
wise ] shall feel obliged, as far as !
can, by the exercise Of legitimate au-
thOrity tn put an end to the unhappy
contrOv' rsy which disturbs the peace
aud prOstrates the business of Louisi-
ana, by the recognition and support
of that government which il recog-
nized aid upheld 10y the courts Of the
state.
[Signedl L. s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Feb %. 1873.