The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-10
LEGISLATURES MADE TO ORDER.

WAsHTNGToT. March S.-lhe following l
authorized Mr. Wheeler received tnis morn
ing from New Orleans his articles OF adjust
ment, signed by forty. four members Of tn
Conservative caucus, an. ample number to Sc
cure the desired result. He at once telo
graphed to forward by eXprese to the city 0
New York the papers now IN the Office OF th'
Secretary Of State, which were used IN The
contested cases before the Returning Boart
in November last. The referees will NEE
on Thursday next at the Office Of the Hon
VIM. Walter Phelps, in the city Of New York
and proceed with the hearing - ASSociatel
Press Dispatch.
The above announcement when We come tc
consider it carefully, is one of the most re-
mark.ble that has ever been made. The re-
turns of an election held in Louisiana in
1874, the result of which has been perfectly
ascertained, are to be taken from their de tdct0
if not de J,lre custodian, the Secretary OF
State, and forwarded where? to the banking
office CT Mr. WIN. Walter Phelps, III New
York city, there to be counted over and fixed
up as may seem best to majority Of the gen
tlemen who compose the Committee on
Louisiana Affairs in the Forty Third Congress,
but who are now acting in their individual
capacities, and not as Congressman at all.
This method Of arriving at the result Of an
election held under the Constitution and
ed it is opposed to the theory of our govern
ment and cannot be regarded as establishing
safe precedent. The Legislature that may
be designated by this coterie of gentlemen
sitting in banking Office in New York city,
will be no more the Legislature Of louisiana
than was the Sheridan bayonet House the
legal House
Legislature 50 designated, lacking, as it
will, every essential element of legality, will,
so far from being able TO do any good to the
State, be the source of endless trouble and
litigation. The legality Of TIE body will be
questioned by every man who has any pecu-
mary interest in opposing it, and we shall
have tempest of law suits and iniunctons, to
say nothing Of the great force that will prob
ably be required to make the members of the
Hahn House retire from the scene Of their
exploits. If Grant fayors the adjustment, he
can Of course, send his booted ana spurred
little butcher down here again ostensibly on
pleasure excursion TO Cuba but really to seat
the members of the Legislature manufactured
to order in the banking house of Hon. VIM.
Walter Phelps, at New York city. 1t will be
a sight to arouse the special wonder of every
citizen to see the Conservatives who were
elected from their legislative hall by bayoncts,
thrust back again by the same sharp and {
deadly instruments. There would be a GER
tain poetic Justice in this remarkable recon-
struction of the Legislature of Louisiana, but :
We very much doubt the stability or legality {
Of the arrangement.
If the thing would hold water, II any prac- !,
zeal good could result, we perhaps ought not 4
10 seriously to object, for we have been op- '
PRESSED so often ana 50 long by the arbitrary O
exercise of power, we have had the blyonets =
# the General Government so constantly s
pointed at our breasts that it would be pleas "
rable sensation to see them pointed at some q
ody else. If legislatures can be made to :,
rider, as ii is proposed to make one for Louisi- O
ma; if State Constitutions and State laws can #
Q entirely overridcn aud ignored 10y any COM II
littee of gentlemen acting in their individual =,
.pacities, then has the time come when Iii
insar should strike, for the people of the 81
,untry are blind to the vital issues involved "