Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-11

Do tho 18th Of September last the gov
ernor of Louisiana called upon me, as provi-
ded by the constitution and laws Of the
United States, to aid in suppressing domes-
tic violence in that state. This call was
made in view Of proclamation issued on
that day by d. b. Penn, claiming that he
was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1872,
aud calling upon the militia Of the state to
arm, assemble and drive from power the
usurpers, as he designated the officers Of the
state government. This was furnished, aud
the nsurrectionsts dsbauded. Considering
that the present state administration oil Lou
isana has been the only government in that
state for nearly two years, that it has been
acknowledged and acquiesced in as such by
Congress, and moro than once expressly re-
cognzed by me, regard it as my clear duty,
when legally called upon for that purpose,
to prevent its overthrow by an armed mob,
under pretence Of fraud and irregularity in
the election of 1872 repeat what said
10 my special message of February IL, 1873,
that in the event Of no action Of Congress l
must continue to recognize the government
heretofore recognized by me.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas.
Article 13 of the constitution Of that state,
which was adopted in 1868, and upon the
approval Of which by Congress the state was
restored to representation as one OF the state
Of the union, provides in effect that before
any amendments proposed to the constitu-
ton shall become a part thereof, they shall
be passed by two successive assemblies and
then submitted to and ratified by a major
ity of the electors of the state voting there
on on the lth of May, 1874. The govern
or convened an extra session OF the general
assembly of the state, which, on the 18th OF
the same month, prssed an act providing for
a convention to frame a new constitution,
pursuant to the act, and at an election held
on the Both of June, 1874, the convention
was approved aud delegates were chosen
thereto, who assembled on the 14th Of last
July aud formed a new constitution, the
schedule Of which provided for the election
Of an entire new set of state officers in a
manner contrary to the then existing cleo
ton laws of the state. On the 18th OF DC
tober, 1874, this constitution as therein pro-
vided was submitted to the people for their
approval or rejection, and according to the
election returns was approved by large
majority OF those qualified TO vote thereon,
and at the same election persons were chosen
to fill all the state, county and township Of
fees. The governor elected in 1877 fol
the term of four years turned over his oftlc'
to the governor chosen under the new con
utitution, whereupon the lieut. governor, also
elected in 1872, for term of four years
claiming to act as governor aud alleging that
said proceedings by which the new constltu
ton was made and new set Of officers cleo
ted were unconstitutional, illegal and void
called upon me as provided in section 4, ar
tice t. Of the constitution, to protect thu
state against domestic violence. As Con
gress Is now investigating the political al
fairs Of Arkansas, have declined to inter
iere.
The policy adopted for the management
of Indian affairs known as the peace polio.
has been adhered to with most beneficial re
suits.
In accordance with section B. act ap
proved June %, 1874, appointed boar
to make survey of the mouth Of the Missis
sippi river with view to determine tn
best method of obtaining and maintaining
: depth Of water sufficient for the purposes 9
commerce. In accordance with an act emit
tied an act to provide for the appointment
! of a commission of engineers to investgat
aud report permanent plan for the excava
ton Of the alluvial basin of the Mississippi
river, subject to inundation, | appointed
commission of engineers. Neither board ha
: yet completed its labors. When their re
ports are received they will be forwarded
Congress without delay.
: (Signed) U. s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Dec. L 1874.