Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-02-26
Grant Has No Recommendations to
Make,
Bat will Continue the Kellogg Gov.
eminent if Let Alone.

-.-
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 25.-The Pres
:dent sent the following MESSAGE to Con-
gress to-day:
* To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives: Your attention is respectfully inYit-
ed 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, it is
believed, to an organized attempt on the
part of those controlling the election of
officers and returns to defeat in that cleo
ton the viii Of q majority of the electors of
the State. DiffereHt persons are claiming
the Executive Office; two bodies are claim
, log to be the Legislative Assembly of the
State, and the confusion and uncertainty
I produced In this way falls with par
2lyzing effect upon all its interests.
81 Controversy arose as soon as the election
occurred, over its proceedings and results,
but declined to interfere until a suit, in
volving this controversy to some extent,
was brought into the Circuit Court of the
United States, under and by virtue of the
act of May 81, 1870, entitled Gan 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
that resistance was made to the judicial
process ia that suit, without any opportu-
nifty, and, in my judgment, without any
right to review the judgment of the court
upon the jurisdictional and other questions
arising in the case, l directed the U. S.
Marshal TO enforce such process and to use,
il necessary, troops for that purpose, in &C
cordanee with the 18th section of said act,
which provides that It shall be lawful for
the President Of the United States to en-
ploy such part of the land or naval forces
of the United States, or of the militia, as
shall be necessary TO aid in enforcing
judicial process under this act.
Two bodies of persons claimed 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 desigua-
ted by his name, was the lawful returning
board and this decision has been repeatedly
affirmed by the District and Supreme Courts
of the State. Having no opportunity or
pow TO canvass the votes, and the ext
gencies of the case demanding an Imme-
diate decision, l conceive it to be my duty
to recognize those persons as elected who
received and held their credentials 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.
Comfortably TO the decisions of this
Board a full set of State officers has been in
stalled and legislative assembly organized
constituting if not de jure at least a de
facto government which since sometime in
December last has had possession of the
Offices and been exercising the usual pow
ers of government. But opposed TO this
has been another government claiming to
control the affairs of the State and which
has to some extent been pro forma organ
lied.
The recent investigation of said election
has developed so many frauds and forgeries
IS to make it doubtful what candidates re-
ceived a majority of the votes actually cast,
In view of these facts, variety of alton
has been proposed. l have no specific re-
commentator to make upon the subject.
But if there is any practical way of remov-
ing these difficulties by legislation, then
earnestly request that such action may be
taken at the present session of Congress.
1t seems advisable that l should state
new what course l shall feel bound to pur-
sue in reference to the matter in the event
of NO action by Congress at this time. Sub
ject to any satisfactory arrangement that
may be made by the parties to the contro-
versy, which of all things is most desirable,
it will be my duty, so far as it may be ne
cessary for me to act, to adhere to that
government heretofore recognized by me.
To judge of the election and the qualifica-
ton 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
filed and held under State laws,
the decision of the State Judicial tribunals,
it seems to nae, ought to be respected. l
am extremely anxious to avoid any appear
suce Of undue interference in State affairs,
and if Congress differs from me as to what
ought to be done, / respectfully urge its
decision to that effect. Otherwise l shall
feel obliged, as far as can by the exercise
Of legitimate authority, to put an end to
tia unhappy controversy which disturbs
the peace and prostrates the business of
Louisiana, by the recognition and support
of that government which IS recognized and
upheld by the courts of this State.
u. S. GRANT,
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Feb. %, 1873.
Ku-KIux.
President Grant to-day pardoned Chas.
Howard and James Blanks, of Alabama,
convicted OF Ku-Klux outrages and senten-
ced 10 Imprisonment in the Albany peni-
Tertiary.
The Marshall House in Alexandria where
Col. Ellsworth was killed in the beginning
of the war, was burned last night. The
fire was the work of an incendiary.
POmerOy's Peculiar Defence.
AT the sitting of the Pomeroy Commit
mittee this morning John j. Murphey was
examined by Simpson. Pomeroy told wit
ness at Topeka, during tie canvass to come
his room with Bond at II o'clock at
night Bond was sick. Did not go. Met
Pomeroy next day. Pomeroy told him to
use his Influence to get Bonds vote. Told
Bond that he could get office or some money
ID vote Pomeroy did not tell him to offer
Office or money; simply told him to use bis
influence and That he Pomeroy would do
the best he could. Witness formed the opin-
ion from that remark that Pomeroy would
pay for Bonds vote.
Examined by Horton-Pomeroy never
gave witness authority to offer money to
Bond or any one else.
DR.. RoeT0ocher testified that POmeroy
told him he had heard Davis didn't care
whom be voted fol, but wanted his expenses
paid, and Pomeroy said he was willing to
pay Davis's expenses, but wouldn't buy bis
vote. Witness told Pomeroy he thought
be could buy Bocau's vote, but Pomeroy