The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-12-17
JACKSON c. H. OHIO THURSDAY, DECEMBER II. 1874
ompensation to railroads for carrying

I
settled condition of affairs in some of the
| Southern States. On the l4th of Sep
| tember last, the Governor of Louisiana
called upon me, as provided by the con-
! Stitution an laws of the United States
| for aid in the suppression of domestic
| violence in that State. The call was
made in view of a proclamation issued
on that day by D. B. Peen, stating that
he was elected Lieutenant Governor in
1872. and 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. On
the next day l issued my proclamation,
and commanded the insurgents to dis
perse within five days from the date
thereof and on that day they had taken
forcible possession of the State House.
Steps were taken by me to support the
existing recognized State Government !;
but before the expiration of the five
days, the insurrectionary movement was
practically abandoned, and the officers OF
the State Government, with some minor
exceptions, resumed their powers and
duties
Considering that the present State Ad-
ministration of Louisiana had been the
only government in that State for nearly
two years; that it has been tacitly ac-
by Congress, and more than once ex-
pressly recognized by me, ! regarded it
as my clear duty, when legally called up
on for that purpose to prevent its over
throw by an armed mob under pretense
of fraud and irregularity in the election
of 1872
l have heretofore called the attention
of Congress to this subject, stating that
on account of the frauds and forgeries
committed at said election, and because
Il appears that the returns thereof were
never legally canvassed, it was impossi-
BILE to tell thereby who was chosen; but
from the best sources of information at
my command, l have always believed the
present State officers received majority
of tho legal votes actually cast at that
election. l repeat what / said in nv
special message of February I3, 1873, that
in the event of no action of Congress 1
must continue to recognize the govern
ment heretofore recognized by me-
regret to say that with preparations
for the late elections decided indica-
ton appeared in some localities in the
Southern States, of determination, by
acts of violence and intimidation, to de
prive citizens of the freedom of the bal
lot because of their political opinions.
BANDS OF men masked and armed made
thelr appearance. White Leagues and
otner societies were formed, large GUAM
Titles OF arms and ammunition were impor-
land distributed to these organizations
Military drills with menacing demonstra-
tions were held, and with all these, mur-
ders enough were committed to spread
terror among those whose political action
was to be suppressed, if possible, by these
intolerant and criminal proceedings In
some places colored laborers were COM
PEELED to vote according to the wishes of
their employers, under threats of dis
charge if they acted otherwise and there |
are too many instances in which, when |
these threats We're disregarded, they |
were remorselessly executed by those by |
whom they were made. I understand |
that the Fifteenth Amendment to the |
was made to prevent this |
like state of things, and the act of May
81, 1870, with amendments, was passed to
enforce its provision, the object of this
being to guarantee to all citizens the
right to vote and to protect them in the
free enjoyment of the right enjoined by
the constitution, to take care that the
laws be faithfully 'rexecnted; and con-
Vinced by undoubted evidence that vio-
ations of said act has been committed,
and that widespread and fagrant disre-
gard of it was contaminated the proper
officers were instructed to prosecute the
offenders, and troops were stationed at
points to aid these officers if
ne ecessary, in the performance of their
official duties. Complaints are made of
his interference by Federal authority
put if said amendment and act do not
provide for such interference under the
as above stated, then they
ire without meaning, force or effect. and
jhe whole scheme of colored enfranchise-
nent is worse than mockery and little
better than a crime. Possibly Congr
nay find it due to truth and Justice to
'scertain, by means of a committee.
whether the alleged wrongs to eolored
citizens for political purposes were real
or the reports thereof were manufactured
or the occasion The whole number of
,roops in the States of Louisiana Ala
oama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina,
North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Arkansas, Mississippi, Maryland and Vir-
sinia, at the times of election were 4,082
This embraces the garrisons of all the
orts from the Delaware to the Gulf of
Mexico
adoption should be ratified by a majority
IF those affected
The report of the Secretary of the In
jerior herewith attached, gives much in
L
lbstain from giving an abstract Of but
'efer you to the report itself.
The act of Congress providing the oath
which pensioners must subscribe before
lrawing their pensions cuts off from this
bounty few survivors of the war of
-Sl2, residing in the Southern States. |
recommend the restoration of this bounty
% all such. The number of persons
whose names would be restored to the
ist of pensions is not large. They are all
I'D pensioners, who could have taken no
,art in the rebellion, and the services for
which they were awarded pensions were
n defense of the whole country
The report of the Commissioner of Ag-
iculture, herewith contains suggestions
If much interest to the general public,
md refers to the approaching Centennial,
md the part his department is ready to
axe in it. / feel that the Nation at
arge is interested in having this exposi-
ion a success, and commend to Congress
uch action as will secure a greater gen
ral interest in it. Already many foreign
Nations have signifed their inten-
ion to be represented at it. 1t may be
expected that every civilized Nation will
,e represented.
The rules adopted to improve the civil
ervice of the Government have been ad-
lered to as closely as has been practicable
With the opposition with which they meet
'he effect, believe has been beneficial on
he whole, and has tended to the elevation
If the service, but it is impracticable to
them without the direct and
positive support of Congress. Generally
he support which this reform receives
S from those who give it their support
,nly to find fault when the rules are APP
'arently departed from. Removals from
,ffice without preferring CHARGES AGAINST