Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-03-05

whole to justify Kellogg's claims, and
that, as Kellogg is and has been acting
Governor of Louisiana for the past two
years, to deny his right and install an
other in his place after this lapse of time
might involve incalculable mischief to
the legal and political interests of the
State.
The committee conclude as follows:
To avoid mischief and the confusion Of
change the majority Of the citizens Of Louisiana
ogg's recognition and the restoration to the Con
servatives Of the control OF the lower house. For
these reasons Messre Foster and Phelps do not
wish to oppose the recommendation that the ad
ministration OF the Governor, Kellogg, be recog-
nized Neither, in view of the fact that they
know nothing Of its merits as Judged by compe.
tent evidence, do they wish to be understood as
urging IL, They only wish TO accord their agree
ment with those OF their associates who believe
such conference might, by making a termina-
tion TO the uncertainty in Louisiana, be, on the
whole, less intolerable than the present stua-
tion OF that distracted people, but, to any reso-
luton Tecognising Kellogg, Messrs. Potter and
to Justify the belief that Kellogg was elected ;
that he seized the Government by the aid OF the
Federal troops, through a void and fraudulent or
der, which prevented the counting and returning
OF the votes, should be standing presumption
against him; When the people, outraged by the
gained the Office which he had usurped, he was
again reeeated by the Federal power through
forms Of law by which he had intrenched himself.
He once more sought to nullify the choice of the
people at the late election and TO that end called
In the Federal troops to break mp the meeting Of
the Legislature. For Cohgrees TO recognize q
usurpation so gross 20 oppressive, is, they think
to establish precedent by which, under prete&ts
that can readily be found, any State Government
may be overthrown, the will of the people null
lihcd, and fraud and violence made permanent,
and republican forms perverted to destroy lib
erty.
In their Judgment all that is needed in Louisi-
ana is to withdraw the Federal troops and leave
the people Of that State to govern themselves.
CHARLES FOSTER,
WILLIAM WALTER PHELPS,
CtARKsoN n PorTER,
SAMUEL s. MARSHALL.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
G.. F. Hoar, Chairman of the commit
tee, made the minority report, closing
with the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Both branches Of the Legislature of
Louisiana have requested the Select Committee
of the House to investigate the circumstances at
tending the election and returns thereof in that
State for the year 1S74-'5; and
WHEREAS, Said committee has unanimously
reported that the Returning Board Of that State,
in canvaesing and compiling said returns and
promulgating the results, wrongfully applied an
erroneous rule Of law, By reason whereof persons
seats to which they were not entitled and per-
sons entitled to seats were deprived Of them;
ReSotUed, That it is recommended to the House
of Representatives Of Louisiana to take immediate
steps to remedy said injustice and to place the
persons rghtfully entitled in their seats.
ResoiUed, That William P. Kellogg be recog-
nized as the Governor of Louisiana until the end
Of the term OF office fixed by the Constitution OF
that State.
The majority and minority reports
were ordered printed. AS the result of
the colloquy between members as to
which was the majority report anG which
the minority report, it may be stated
that all the members of the committee
report against the action of the Return.
ing Board; that Messrs. Foster, Phelps
Potter and Marshall unite in the MAORI
ty report that there was no general in
timidation in the State, but a free and
fair election, which resulted in favor of
the Conservatives, who were deprived of
the result by the wrongful action of the
Returning Board; that Messrs. Hoar,
Wheeler and Frye unite in a minority re-
port, and that Foster assents with Hoar,
Wheeler and Frye to a compromise
recognizing Kellogg as Governor, and
giving the majority in the House to the
Conservative delegates.
The report signed by Messrs. Hoar
| Wheeler and Frye is summarized under
eleven heads, which are briefly as fol
| lows:
First-That there exists in the White Mems
| party purpose to take possession, by force OF
fraud, OF the state Government, without regard 70
| the question who may have numerical majority .;
any fair election.
Second-That, in the execution of this purpose
they will not hesitate to any nstrumep taities
which they think designed to accomplish theiI
end, whether the same be murder, fraud, civil wal
or coercion of laborers by their employers.
| Third-While there are many white men o
| moderate means who do not themselves use or ap
| prove these unlawful means, such men desire the
| accomplishment of the same end, and are power
less under the leadership of their more infuen
tial associates
Fourth-Three causes have made 1t easy for the
white men to SO unite: The fact that the Admin
istration party in Louisiana is made up almos
altogether of negro votes, with few white votes
largely from other States; the fact that there ha
been maladministration by Republican officials
the belief by large number OF the white people
that they have been twice defrauded of the re
suits OF the successful election.
FJn-While these things are deplorable, th'
course Of the white people themselves has TENDED
to bring them about. The simple and peaceful
remedies of obedience 10 law and decent treat
ment of opponents would, If they had pursued
them, have proven effective long ago.
Sirtk-While we believe Gov. Kellogg received
a majority Of votes in 1872, and while we believ
there was violence and fraud in many of the par
shes in 1874, the illegal order of Judge Durell AM
the illegal conduct OF the Returning Board in at
tempting to cure one wrong by another hav
furnished substantial basis for complaints.
SeUenth-There has been much dishonesty an
corruption in Louisiana. For these the Republi
can officials under Warmoth's rule are largely re
sponsible, although many of their opponent
Etghth-The effect of all this has been to pu
an end to the authority of law throughout larg
portion of Louisiana, 10 deprive the negro of free
dom and suffrage and to destroy the safeguard
provided by law to secure fairness in elections
This etate OF things overthrows republican goN
eminent in Louisiana and seriously menaces tn
whole country.
Ninth-A new election under national authorit
is desired by neither side.
Tenth-Congress should exercise its constitt
tional powers. We think William Pitt Kellog
was the choice Of the majority of the voters {
1872, and should be recognized.
EleUenth-These remedies are but superhcia
Efficient educational aid would have done muc
to prevent the evil, and may do much TO effect II
cure. The public sentiment OF the rest of th
country, without distinction ofparty, may do muc
TO remove, as II has already unfortunately dol
much to aggravate, the evils Of Louisiana. tt
people should be made to understand that II
authority lodged in the National Government
, preserve a republican form of government ar
TO protect the rights of all citizens will be kind
, but fearlessly and steadily exercised, and that
, party in this country will accept the alliance
! men who are seeking power by such methods
we have been compelled 10 describe. Unless tn
can be done the overthrow Of the free institution
of the whole United States will not long survi'
. | tka1 1aag ~ III In fba