The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-03-15
The Compromise Movement"
Its History up to Date

Roundabout in New Orleans Times, March 81
The question of cOmprOmise-prO-
posed by the Times in January, and
then sc0ffed at-was first practically
agitated by the FusiOnists somewhere
between two or three weeks ago. At
that time q distinct proposition was
made by them to the Kellogg party.
The basis of the plan vas the Organiza-
ton of a Legislature composed Of mem
bers whose seats were not contested,
and of the Senators holding over. AS
we understand it, nothing was said as
to the State officers.
The overture was never responded to.
We all know the rage and scOrn with
which it was treated at the Mechanics
Institute, but no official response vas
ever made.
Matters went Oh in this way until
about ten days ago, when two PROPOSE
lions, both purpOrting to emanatc from
Governor Kellogg, We're almost stimuli
tancously introduced i'll the Fusion
caucus. The tirst-nOW generally known
as the Pardee prOp0sitiOn-cOntemplat-
ed an assembly of those members of the
Legislature returned by both boards.
This as Il nucleus the other seats to be
filled on the basis of the census of 1870.
Kellogg was to he Governor, Penn
Lieutenant Governor, and the other
| State officers to be declared by the
courts.
The second plan proposed to seat eight
Senators and thirty-nine members, in
Guiding those returned by both boards.
Roundabout wishes to state, here,
that these two propositions were COM
municated to him III the night of Fri
day, 9th ult., by a city member. They
were WOrded somewhat differently on
that occasion, but in substance with the
foregoing, which is the statement of Il
prominent county member made to him
| last night. He took memoranda each
time, and they agree as mentiOned.)
The marked inconsistency in the two
proposals seemed to argue that they
could not have emanated from the same
source, it was suggested that Il COM
mittee be appointed to confer with the
other side, and ascertain exactly what
was offered. The suggestion was acted
on, and the author made chairman of
the conference committee.
a member Of that committee con
fessed to Roundabout yesterday that he
thought Governor Kellogg quite III ear
nest in every profession he made touch
ing his wish to effect an adjustment of
the pending difficulty. Believing this,
he endeavOred in his capacity as lead
ing member of the committee to place
the affair upon the best possible basis.
Continued meetings were held between
the committee on one side, and Gov.
Kellogg and prominent Republican Sen
atOrs on the other, and at last the pro-
position was modified so as to embrace
the seating of eleven Senators and for
Nv Irrr r,1~nl,Nr, e H.. EN.:. $500.
lature.
This being communicated to the Nc
Emery side the question arose as to Gov.
KellOgg's ability to carry out his own
plan. He was urged to offer some salts
factory evidence on this point, and final
lyit was agreed thathe should telegraph
to Washington, stating what he pro-
pOseddOlngand asking Whetherit would
be recommended and endorsed by the
Administration. The telegram was sent,
but no reply came for some time. When
it finally arrived, it was thought by the
Fusion committee to be evasive. The
tenor, as communicated by O gentleman
who saw it. was to the effect that the
President was anxious to see an adjust
ment, and that any plan which gave
satisfaction to all parties in Louisiana
would be approved by him.
Meanwhile, however, the affair had
been discussed in Fusion caucus, and
was so far acceptable that a distin-
guiShed Senator from one of the CITY
districts told a Times ma of Tuesday
night that the compromise was practi-
Cally effected. He stated that q cues
ton had been put which resulted in the
vote OF u large majority to recognize
Kellogg as Governor. This latter state
| mont TyOC TaTlnDfnI Iu DNor1N Io,As-
informant last night, with the addition
al assertion that ouly ten votes were
cast in the negative.
However, that may be, it transpires
now that the sole reason which prevent
ed d hnala arrangement some days ago.
was a want of faith in Gov. KellOgg'e
ability to make good his offer.
1t is conceded by those in 4 position
to know what they are talking about,
that Gov. Kellogg held the designations
OF thirteen members OF the lower house
at Mechanics Institute, and written as
%surances were given by fifteen OF six
teen Senators Of the same body that
they would carry out the plan in thei1
chamber. But this was not considered
" practicable" and the matter was still
in allegiance on Wednesday last, when
the Gn1eute took place. ''.
On the next day MessrS. Smart, Smith,
Bickham and Harris, of the FusiOn Leg
islature, went around to Mechanics In
%stltute, and were at once seated-a col
Ored member withdrawing in favor OF
Mr.. Harris.
So far the scheme worked Just as Gov
ernor Kellogg promised, but adjourn
ment has prevented any further Hracti-
cal test Roundabout is assured by his
informant that, of the others, eighteen
additional members have openly stated
their willingness to accept the PROPOSE
ton. AS to the eleven Senators. eight
announce their consent three reject.
These three, however, are returned
by both boards, and their seats are
open to them under any circumstances.
Their opposition, therefore, must be as
cribed either to, heroic resolution to
stand by the carse, or a desire to make
political capital for the present and
trust to luck to slide them easily and
creditably into their seats next session,
Thus the matter stands to-day. A
large number of the Fusion Legislature
are ready to enter into the proposed ar
rangement if they. are satisfied that
Gov. Kellogg will be supported in bis
efforts. R0Undaboutdoes not know pre-
clsely what these gentlemen demand as
evidence, but, should Gov. Kellogg pro
duee such as they desire, the thing is
done. .t
Lands Restored to Entry Under
s the Homestead E.1vv.