The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-02-11
Louisiana.

Events that have occurred at New Orleans
within the past forty weight hours, says the Bal
timore american OF the 9th. have reyiveda gen
eral interest in Louisiana affairs. The basis
upon which the members OF the Congressional
committee are willing to act as arbitrators be-
tween the two parties is fully published lii an
other column. Briefly summarized, it is that
the committee will undertake to decide which
contestants are rightfully entitled to the five
disputed seats in the Louisiana House OF Dele
gates, the conditions being that no matter what
the decision may be, the Conservatives will not
endeavor to Interfere with the Kellogg Govern
ment, but will sustain it in good faith. The
Importance OF this point is developed by the
fact that Mr.. Hoar and his colleagues are as
fully convinced as the Foster subcommittee
were that the Returning Board perpetrated a
very gross fraud upon Louisiana by making UP
Republican majority in the House Of Dele
gates, and that the decision of the committee
will give the House over the control of the Coz
servatves would CONTROL the lower branch of
the Legislature, the Republicans the upper,
and Kellogg be guaranteed an official lease Of
life until the end Of his term. The question OF
agreeing to such compromise is involved in
doubt. The Conservative House OF Delegates
first consented to accept it, whereupon the sup
positions Governor McEnery and his adherents
bolted, and the majority weakened considera-
bly, after this exhibition of hostility to COM
promise McEnery got up an opposition meet
ing, and resolutions were adopted pledging the
Conservative party to a steady opposition to
any compact which involved the recognition of
the Kellogg Government. Another difficulty
appears in the attitude of the members who
constitute the Kellogg House OF Delegates, as
they will not consent that Mr.. Hoars's Com
mittee shall turn out the half dozen members
who constitute the majority. split in the
Conservative party is also foreshadowed, as there
seems to be a faction led by Penn which acts
on the compromise policy and promises to dis
band the White League, notwithstanding that
the McEnery clique have taken up position in
the last ditch. So far negotiations have pro-
crossed without any blood being split, which is
u remarkable feature of New Orleans politics i'll
moments of Excitement.
The Presidents Message On Arkansas
Affairs.
WASHINGTON, February 9.-The President
sent the following message to the Senate TO-
day:
To the Senate Of the United States
Herewith have the honor to send, in accor-
dance with the resolutions Of the Senate Of the
Sd inst, all the Information in my possession
not heretofore furnished relating tothe affairs
in the State of Arkansas. [ will venture to
express the opinion that all the testimony
shows that in the election of 1872 Joseph Brooks
was lawfully elected Governor Of that State
that he has been unlawfully deprived OF the
possession OF his office since that time; that in
1874 the Constitution of the State was by vo-
lence, Intimidation. and revolutionary procee-
dings overthrown, and a newConstitution adop-
ted and a new State government established
These proceedings, if permitted to stand, practi-
cally ignore all rights of minori les i'll all the
States. Also what is there to prevent each OF
the States recently admitted to Federal rea-
lions Oh certain conditions from chan cling
their Constitution and violating their pledges
if this action in Arkansas is aequiesced in !?
respectfully submit whether precedent so
dangerous to the stability of State Government.
if not Of the National Government also, should
be recognized by Congress.
earnestly ask that Congress will take def
mite action in this matter to relieve the EAecl-
tiue from acting upon questions which should
be decided By the legislative branch OF the
Government.
[Signed.l U. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, February s, 1875,