The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-26
TO THIS PAPER EXCLUSIVELY.
FROM WASHINGTON,
Congressional.
WASHINGTON. February %.

packed.
1t is an understanding in the Senate
that Louisiana matters will not come up
before the appropriation bill.
The Presidents message, in the House,
was referred to the judiciary committee
with the privilege to report at any
time.
A bill for Louisiana may, by being at
tached to report for or against the i'm
parchment of Durell, become privileged
question, which will give control of the mat
ter to majority of the house. There is
no other machinery which will prevent
one-third of the House from staving off
legislation regarding Louisiana.
LATER.-The debate on expelling
Brooks and Ames continues. There is an
immense crowd present. No action is ex-
pected tonight.
WASHINGTON, Februa ry &c.
SENATE.-After tabling an amendment
opening all the regiments of the army to
the enlistment of co ored men, the army
appropriation bill was passed.
Louisiana AHafrs-PresitlenCs Mes.
sage.
WASHINGTON, February 25.--The
President sent the following message to
Congress to-day:
"7o the Senate and House Of Representatives.
your attention is respectfully invited
to the condition of affairs in the state of
| Louisiana. Grave complications have
grown out of the election there on the 9th
| of November last, chiefly attributable, 1t
| is believed, to an organized attempt, on
the part of those controlling the election
OF officers and returns, to defeat, in that
election, the will of the electors of the
state.
Different persons are claiming the ex-
ecntive offices, two bodies are claiming to
be the Legislative assembly of the state,
and the confusion and uncertainty prodced
in this way fall with paralyzng effect
upon all its interests. Controversy arose
as soon as the election occurred over its
| proceedings and results, but l declined to
Interfere until suit involving this contro-
versy to some extent was brought in the
circuit court of the United States under
and by virtue of the act of May 31st,
1870. entitled AN act to enforce the rights
OF citizens of the United States to vote in
the several states of the Union and for
other purposes
| FINDING that resistance was made to
| judicial process in that suit without any
opportunity, and in my judgment without
any right, to review the Judgment OF the
court upon the jurisdiction or the ques-
tons arising in the case, directed the
! United States marshal to enforce such
process and to use, if necessary, troops for
that purpose, in accordance with the 18th
| section of said act, which provides that it
shall be lawful for the President Of the
United States to employ such part of the
land or naval forces of the United States or
OF the militia as shall be necessary to aid
In the execution of judicial process under
| this act.
1.-Two bodies of persons claim to be the
returning board for the state, and the cir
cult court, in that case, decided that the
one to which Lynch belonged, usually de-
signated by his name, was the lawful re-
turning board, and this decision has been
repeatedly affirmed by the district and the
supreme courts OF the state. Having no
opportunity or power to canvass the votes,
and the exigencies of the case demanding
an immediate decision, concluded it to be
my duty to recognize those persons as
elected who received and held their creden-
tlals to office from what then appeared to
me to be, and has since been decided by
the supreme court of the state to be, the
legal returning board. Conformably to the
decisions of this board, full set of state
officers has been installed and legislative
assembly organized, constituting, if not
de Jue, at least de facto government,
which, since some time IN December last,
has had possession of the Offices and been
exercising the usual powers of government;
but. opposed to this, has been another gov
eminent claiming to control the affairs of
the state, and which has, to some extent,
been pro lorna organized. Recent investi-
cation OF the said election, has developed
so many frauds and forgeries as to make it
doubtful what candidates received major
ity of the votes actually cast, and in view of
these facts a variety of action has been
| proposed. | have no specific recommen-
dation to make upon the subject, but if
there is any practical way of removing
these difficulties by legislation, then I
earnestly request that such action may be
taken at the present session of Congress.
1t seems advisable that should state now
what course l shall feel bound to pursue In
reference to the matter in the event of no
action by Congress at this time. Subject
to any satisfactory arrangement that may
be made by the parties to the controversy,
which of all things is the most desirable. it
will be my duty, SO far as it may be neces-
sary for me to act, to adhere to that gov
eminent heretofore recognized by me.
''To judge of the election and the oual-
fications of its members is the exclusive
province of the Senate, as it is also the
exclusive province of the House to Judge
of the election and qualification Of its
members; but as to state offices, filled and
held under state laws, the decisions of the
state tribunals, it seems TO me, ought to be
respected. am extremely anxious to
avoid any appearance of undue interference
in state affairs; and if Congress differs
from me as to what ought to be done,
respectfully urge its immediate decision to
that effect otherwise, | shall feel obliged,
as far as can, by the exercise oflegitimate
authority, to put an end to the unhappy
controversy which disturbs the peace and
prosperity and the business of Louisiana,
by the recognition and support of that gov
eminent which is recognized and upheld
by the courts of the state"
Reported Fraud i'm the New Orleans
Pcst0fiice.
| WASHINGTON, February 26.-On ac-
count of some irregularities in the New
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