The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-12-17

attention to the report of the Postmaster
General, and to his suggestions in regard to |
an equitable adjustment OF the question of |
compensation to railroads for CARRYING the |
mails.
AFFAIRS In THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Your attention will be drawn to the I'M
settled condition of affairs in some of the |
Southern otates. On the 18th of September |
last the governor of Louisiana called upon
me, as. provided by the constitution and
laws of the United States. to aid in suppress
ing domestic violence in that State. This !
call was made in view of proclamation is
sued on that day by D. B. Penn, 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 issued |
my proclamation, commanding the insur-
date thereof l subsequently learned that
on that day they had taken forcible posses
sion Of the State House. Troops were taken
by me to support the existing and recognized
State government, but before the expira-
tien of the five days the
insurrectionary movement was prac-
ticany abandoned, and the officers of
the state government, with some minor ex-
ceptions, resumed their powers and duties.
tl11tt Lllc present StdCt duUIulS-
tration Of Louisiana has been the only gov
eminent in that State for nearly two years,
that it las been tacitly acknowledged and
acquiesced in as such by Congress, and more
than once expressly recognized by me, re-
garded it as my clear duty, when legally
called upon for that purpose, to prevent its
overthrow by an armed mob, under the pre-
tense of fraud and irregularity in the election
OF 1872. | have heretofore called the atten-
al
on account of the frauds and iorgeries COM
mitted at said election, and because it APP
pears that the returns thereof were never
legally canvassed, it was impossible TO tell
! thereby who were chosen But from. the
| best sources OF Information 1t my command
have always believed the present
State officers received a nlao ity OF the legal
votes actually east at that election. | repeat
what said in my special message of tebru
aLy 18th, 1878, that in the event OF no action
| by Congress | must continue to recognize
the government heretofore recognized bv
| me.
regret to say that at the late election de-
| cided indications appeared in some localities
| in the Southern States OF determination by
acts of violence and intimidation to deprive
citizens Of the freedom of the ballot because
OF their political opinions. Bands OF men
masked and armed made their appearance.
White Leagues and other societies were
formed: large quantities Of arms and ammu
milton were imported and distributed to
these organizations. Military drills with
lnenacing demonstrations were held, and
with all these, murders enough were COM
united to spread terror among those whose
polltlca, action was to be suppressed
if possible bv these intolerant and
criminal proceedings. In some
places cotored laborers were compelled to
vote according to the wishes OF their employ
ers under threats of discharge, il they act
ed otherwise and there are too MANY in
stances i'll which, when these threats were
disregarded, they were remorselessly execll.
ted by whom made. | understand that the
fifteenth amendment to the Constitution was
made to prevent this or like state of things
and the act of March 81, 1870, was passed tt
enforce its provisions the beet of this be-
. ing to guarantee to all citizens the right t.
vote and to protect them in the full enjoy
ment OF that right
Enjoined by the Constitution to take cane
that the laws be faithfully executed, anC
convinced bv undoubted evidence that viola
lations of said act had been committed, anC
that widespread and flagran
, disregard of it was contemplated, the prope
officers we're instructed to prosecute the of
} tenders, and troops were stationed at cOnven
! lent points to aid these officers, if necessary
in the performance OF their official duties
Complaints are made of this interference, by
the federal authority, but if the said amend
ment and act do not provide for such inter
ference, under tn circumstances as above
stated, then they are without meaning, fore,
or effect, and the whole scheme OF coloret
q enfranchisement is worse than q mockery
and little better than crime
:, Possibly Congress may find it due to truth
: and Justice to ascertain by means OF com
) mission, whether the alleged wrongs to col
ored citizens for political purposes are rea
! or the reports thereof were manufactured 70
l. the occasion.
C The whole number OF troops in the State
e of Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida
: South Carolina, kentucky, Tennessee, Ar
/ kansas, Mississippi, Maryland and Virginia
r at the time OF the election were 4,0o2. Thi
e embraces the garrisons OF all the forts iron
a the Delaware to the Gull OF Mexico
is Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas
n Article 80 OF the Constitution OF the State
= which was adopted in 1868, and upon tn
e approval Of which bv Congress the State wa
y restored to representation one OF tn
States oil the Union, provides that in etfe,
J that before any of the amendments propose
d TO this constitution shall become part there
Il OF, they shall be passed by two successIv
5 assemblies and then submitted to and ratiiie
4, by s majority OF the voters OF the state Vo'
Z ing thereon. The 18th OF May, 1874, tn
, Governor convened an extra session OF III
ST general assembly Of the State, which on tn
y 18th of the same month passed an az
$ providing for a convention To tram
re q new constitution, the schedule OF whic
, provided for the election OF an entire ne
set of State officers, in a manner contrary I
se the then existing laws OF the Sta.e. On II
18th OF October, 1874, this constitution, q
therein provided, was submitted to the PEG
TO pie for their approval or rejection, and, az
ID cording to the election returns, was approve
r by large majority of those qualified to vo'
re thereon, and at the same election person
rs were chosen to fill the State, county an
e. township Offices. The Governor elected
Is 1872 for the term of four years turned Owe
st his office to the Governor chosen under II
W new constitution, whereupon the Lieutenal
u Governor. also elected for the term of for
10 years. claiming to act as Governor, and a
z leging that said proceedings, bv which II
E. new constitution was made and a new set
D. officers elected, were unconstitutional an
70 illegal and void, called upon me, a. provide
IN in section 4, article OF the constitution,
is protect the State against domestic violene
H. As Congress is now investigating Il
e political affairs OF Arkansas, Lar
Id declined to interfere. The who
8 subject of executive interference with the 8
~ fairs of State is repugnant to public OPT
ion, to the feeling OF these who, from the
ed official CAPACITY. must be used in such int
o. position. and to him or those who must d
ID, rect it Unless most clearly on the side
al law, such interference becomes Grim
ed With the law to support It it Is condemn
ct without a hearing desire therefore Il
So all necessity for executive direction IN Iot
p affairs may become unnecessary and OBS