New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-16
rusI0H REPORM MEASURE,

: apparent weakening Of prominent Reput
licans in Washington upon the so-calle'
Louisiana question. Even the most zeal
GUS friends of our cause show DISPOSE
.: ton, if pressed, to take the Democrats a
their word, and consent to q eweiection
It would no doubt have been the shortes
way to the end Of the dispute year or s.
ago. Whether it would be SO now or no
may be doubtful. In this connection VI
quote from the Washington correspond
, ence of the New York Herald, dated Jan
uary 10:
THE LOUISIANA HIGHT.
There is promise Of a very lively struggle
over the Louisiana matter wnen l6 mex
! comes up in the Senate. EK-Governol
| Warmoti and George Sheridan, who have
both been working several DAYS in the in
terest of a new election, express great cou
| fidence tonight that action Will be taken by
the Senate within ten days, setting aside all
claims to the Office under the election of 1879
! and ordering new election to take place
immediately. TWAS reported to night that
Senator Morton would recede from his posi-
| ton in favO- Of Kellogg. and acquiesce III
favor Of new election, on account OF the
growing sentiment in the Senate in favor OF
such policy; but the Senator himself, IN
! a conversation, this evening, while he di0
not, in plain terms, deny that he would
yield, gave ground for the inference that IL
he did 40 it would only be after pretty
thorough test of the sentiment OF the Sen
| ate.
We we're made aware that George A.
Sheridan was in Washington several days
ago by fancy paragraph in the Washing
Ton correspondence of the st. Louis Re
publican. The announcement that War
moth is there figuring for q new election
is news, but not surprising. Ha is very
likely to be there, and for such purpose.
He is the chosen minister of economy and
reform on the part of the Louisiana Fu-
sionists. His pet measure is and has long
been new election, to which the Retub-
licans of Louisiana have really but two
serious objections aside from any doubt
they may entertain Of the constitutional
ity Of such step:
/. 1t involves heavy bill Of expenses,
which the people are not in condition to
pay
2. It would arouse the hopes Of Office
seekers, create cOmmotion IN localities
now comparatively at peace and aggravate
the rising conten lions i'll the country par
ishes between the planters and the Ia
borers.
As for the constitutional objections,
they may be met by the answer that an
order for a new election in this State by
Congress would be revolutionary. and
there are but few politicians in the country
who have not committed themselves to
the right OF revolution in favor of
one great question or another. If the
majority Of the representatives of the
Northern States decide that the best way
to dispose of the Louisiana question is
by means of new election, there will be
no lack of reasons urged in favor of the
legality of the step. And when we con-
slider this question closely. it will be seen
that, in case new election is ordered. it
will have the consent Of both politioa!
parties. The Democrats have been harp
ing on the affirmative ever since four
members of the Senate Committee on
Privileges and Elections brought in the
majority report recommending it. The
measure can not pass either house of
Congress without the assent Of the domi-
nant party, nor become a law without the
approval of Republican President.
The question that is presented to the Re-
publicans in Washington is: VIII this con-
cession to the demands of the Democracy |
result in satisfying everybody. or at least |
in quoting those loud crying politicians
who besjege the capitol with complaints
because the attempt to cheat in the in
terests Of their party was discovered and
defeated? The Senators want little time |
to devote to the considera ton of other !
matters of vastly more Importance to the |
nation than any arising out of the Louis
lana strife.
The Republicans of this State have
simply to consider whether the luxury of |
beating the Fusionists by majority of |
thirty or forty thousand, which they can
do if they make up good ticket and can
have fair election. is worth what it will |
cost Last year We succeeded, under de-
cidedly adverse circumstances, in beating
them by about fourteen thousand.
The only possible advantage any DEM
ocrat can secure by q new election will
result from his ability to hedge. Here
snd there one may succeed in joining
ward clubs, and prevail upon Republicans
20 trust him so far as to give him small
ofice But this sort of advantage to that
party would not extend very far. Few
Y ould be thus called. A slight degree of
satisfaction might be experienced BY
some who have failed to succeed in seeing
heir rivals compelled to try it over again.
But there would be no substan adj
vantage in this.
The whole question is undoubtedly mar
.owed down to this proposition. The tu-
,ionists admit their defeat, but claim that
he election was not fairly conducted.
The fact that they had control of it them
selves does not prevent them from de-
handing now trial. They have impor-
,uned Congress for this. Now, if the Re
publican Senators finally consent to ac-
;ede to this demand, it viii be the duty of
)ur party to buckle on their armor, exam
ne their printing, look to their fints, and