The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-02-26
THE LOUISIANA COMPLICA-
TION.

Another Message from the President.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.--The President
sent the following message TO Congress
40 he Senate and House Of Representa-,
ties:
Your attention Is respectfully invited TO
the condition of affairs in the State Of
Louisiana. Grave complications have
grown out ofthe elcctioDlthere on the 10th
Of November last, chiefly attributable,
1t Is believed, 10 an organized attempt on
the part Of those controlling the election
Of officers and returns, TO defeat in that
election the will of u majority of the
electors. Different persons are claiming
the executive offices, and two bodies are
claiming to be the Legislative Assembly
Of State, and the confusion and unCer.
tainty produced in this way falls with
paralyzing effect upon all its interests.
The controversy arose as soon as the elec.
ton occurred, over its proceedings and
results, but declined to interfere until
suit involving this controversy to some
extent, was brought into the Circuit
Court Of the United States, under and by
virtue of the act Of May 31st, 1870,
entitled the act to enforce the right
OF citizens OF the United States 10 vote
in the several States Of the Union, and for
other purposes. Finding that resistance
was made to the Judicial process in that
suit without any opportunity In my judg.
ment, and without any right to review
the judgment Of the Court upon jurisdic-
tions or other questions arising in the case,
l directed the United States Marshal to
enforce such process, and 10 use, il neces-
sary, troops for that purpose, In accord
ance with the 18Th section Of said act,
which provides that II shall be lawful for
the President of the United States to en-
ploy such part OF the land or naval forces
OF tho United States, or Of the militia, as
shall be necessary TO aid In the execution
of q judicial process. Under this act two
bodies Of persons claimed 10 be the Re
turning Board for the State, and the Cir
cult Court 10 that case decided that the
one TO which Lynch belonged, usually
designated 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 power 10 canvass the
votes, and the exigencies Of the case de-
manding an immediate decision, con-
ceiVed 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 10 be, and has since been
decided by the Supreme Court Of the
State to be, the legal Returning Board.
Conformably 10 the decision Of this Board
q full set Of State officers has been install.
ed and q legislative assembly organized,
constituting, Il not 9 de jure, at least
do tdct0 government, which since some
time in December last has had possession
OF the offices and been exercising the usual
powers Of government. But opposed 10
this has been another government claim
ing 10 control the affairs Of the State,
which has TO some extent been pro torHld
organized. The recent investigation OF
said election has developed 80 many
frauds and lorgeries as to make 1t doubt
full what candidates received majority
of the votes actually cast, and In view Of
these facts variety Of action has been
proposed. IhaVe no specific recommend.
alton 10 make upon this subject, but II
there is any practicable way for remov-
ing these difficulties by legislation, then
l earnestly request that such action may
be taken at the present session OF Con-
gress. It seems advisable that
should state now what course l
shall feel bound TO pursue in refer
ence to tho 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 con-
troVersy which ,o[all things is most dGsira
bic, it will be my duty SO far ss 1t may be
necessary for me to act 10 adhere.to that
government heretofore recognized by me.
To Judge Of the election and qualification
oil lis members Is the exclusive province
Of the Senate, as 1t is also the exclusive
province Of the House to ludgeOf the elec'
ton and qualification OF It's members. But
as TO the State offices. filed and held
under State laws, the decision Of the State
judicial tribunals 1t seems to me ought TO
be respected. / am extremely anxious
to avoid any appearance Of undue inter-
ference in State affairs, and il Congress
differs from nc as to the work TO be done
respectfully urge It's immediate decision
i to that effect, otherwise shall feel oblig-
ed, as far as can by the exercise Of my
legitimate authority, 10 put an end 10
the unhappy controversy which disturbe0
the peace and prostratGs the business Of
Louisiana by the recognition and support
OF that government which Is recognized
and upheld by the courts Of the State.
[Signed U. s. GRANT.
Kzlcutio6 Mansion, February 90, 1873