Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-02-05
Louisiana Matters.

Mr.. EDITOR: As you have published
the Presidents message and written edi
torially on that side of the question, you
will perhaps permit the attention of your
readers to be called to the report OF
Messrs. Foster, Phelps and Potter, in
reference to the same matter These
gentlemen, a majority ofwhom are mem
bers of the republican party, were sent
to New Orleans for the purpose of learn
ing the truth in regard to matters per-
tanning to the last election and as result
of their labors arrived at the conclusions
embodied in their report From that
report we learn among other things that
set Of men, called the returning board,
were clothed with absolute power over
the returns of elections. That the board
itself was illegally constituted. That
this board, from returns giving the con-
servatives majority of 20 members, out
of total of Ill members, by working
many weeks, finally announced major
ity of three in favor OF the republicans
In the Parish Of Rapides three conserv-
alive members were elected the return
ing board gave these seats to three re-
publicans. This action of the board the
committee stigmatizes as arbitrary,
unfair and without warrant of law"
After detailing the rascally action of the
returning board in regard to other par
ishes, by which conservatives We're de-
frauded of their seats, the committee
mildly sum up as follows:
"The action of the Returning Board
on the whole was arbitrary, unjust, and,
in our opinion, illegal and that the ar
bitrary, unjust and illegal action alone,
prevented return of a majority of con-
sentative members to the lower house."
A good deal has been said about in
timidation, but the committee report
that no general intimidation of the re-
publican voters was established. No col
ored man was produced who had been
threatened or assaulted by any conserv-
alive because of political opinion or dis
charged from employment or refused
employment"
After reciting certain causes which
served "to put the conservatives on their
good behavior" the committee 60 on to
say, and the result was that in Novem-
Der, 1874, the people of Louisiana did
fairly have free, peaceable and full reg
istration and election, in which clear
conservative majority was elected to the
lower house of the legislature, of which
majority the conservatives we're deprived
by the unjust, illegal and arbitrary &C
ton of the returning board. That there
were turbulent spirits cannot be denied.
Those returned to office by the returning
board, against the wishes of the people,
are especially odious."
Something has been said about kid
mapping republican members. This
charge amounts to this: republican
member was arrested by the sheriff, un-
der legal process. on the charge of en-
bezzlement.
If there is any legally elected legisla-
ture in Louisiana, it is the one which
organized on the fourth of January by
the election of Wilt as Speaker. Doubt
less the proceedings of the conservatives
at that time were not according to the
forms of law, but are there not palliating
circumstances The State is governed
by corrupt rings, taxes are enormous
estates are confscated, the negroes are
turning free-booters, the governor anc
his crew are growing rich, while the Stat'
is ruined. Is it strange that the people
are restless? That, defrauded as they
have been Of their election, they shoult
strive by means not strictly legal to gain
control of that which is theirs by right
1t was the legislature elected by the PEG
pie that was dissolved by United State
troops. 1t is the corrupt government o
Kellogg and his crew that is upheld b.
federal bayonets, without which help i
could not exist day. To what are w
tending? care we reduced so low tina
pronunciamento Of the military agains
popular majority of State, evel
though endorsed by the President,
strong enough to stand against the civi
power ?" J.H.P.
Grafton, VT, Jan. 26, 1875.