Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-01-20

lhefc are Two sides To every question, ana
it will be fortunate II this Louisiana matter
has not three sides. Our readers are famil.
lar with the current history Of political
events and federal interference in that un-
happy state. We have endoavorcd TO state
the facts, so far as we could ascertain them,
briefly and impaHially. We have no wish to
make party capital out Of these unfortunate
occurrences. They ought to he considered
on a plane high above all partisauship. So
long as one side looks at them reluctantly and
fearful Of their political effect, and the other
side welcomes them as helps to It's political
ends, aud neither side regards them earnestly
and impauially, with an honest desire to do
equal and exact justice, there ought certainly
to be third side, which should be occupied
by all those who do not wish to make selfish,
political gain out OF the miserics of the pco-
pie Of one of ON sister states. The report
Of the congressional committee has just been
presented 1t is signed by the three mem
bsrs Of that committee who visited New
Orleans TO investigate and report upon the
state OF affairs thort-two of them republi-
cans aud one democrat. They have no
recommendations to make, but they agree en-
tir.ly upon their statement OF facts. We
can see no reason why it should not be ac-
cepted and regarded as fair statement rs
We are likely to get under the circumstances
That committee report First, that the
returns of the commissioners of elections, of
the election in November, gave the conscrya-
tives a majority Of twenty-nine in the legis-
ature, aud ia only three instances was there
any protest Of uniainess Second, that the
returning board was IN session for five weeks,
and 50 manipulated the returns, as to give
ffty-threc members to Tie Republicans, fifty
TO the democrats, and made no decision as
TO the remaiMnc five seats. After specify
ing and describing 'he ;ecularitics of
this singular overthrow OF the election by the
people, and the substitution Of a false one in
its place, the committee say that they are
constrained to declare that The action Of the
returning board was arbitrary. unjust and in
our opinion, illegal and that this unjust
arbitrary and illegal action alone prevented
the return by the board of majority Of CON
sentative members to the lower house"
Third, That the election of November it
self was fair one. "The people Of the
state Of Louisiana did fairly have free,
peaceabla and full registration and election,
in which a clear conservative majority was
elected to the lower house, Of which major
ity the conservatives were deprived by the
unjust, Illegal and arbitrary action Of the
returning board The Free Press will
please notice that this is the language Of the
Fourth, "That the Kellogg government is
only upheld by the federal military. With
draw the military and that government will
60 down"
Fifth, That on the fourth Of January.
after the legislature had organized, both
sides taking part, aud the action Of the
body had proceeded for an hour or so with
'ut interruption, during which time a COM
ultltt on Collbslfu hcdlS WAS appointed,
minor officers appointed and debate had.
'ol. De Trobriand stated that he had orders to
emove five members sworn in, who had not
,een returned by the returning board"
which he at once proceeded to do
These are the main facts, though many
'ther- Of great interest are given, which are
affirmed by the unanimous report of the
congressional subcommittee. Weare not dis
,osed to make any comments on this state
nent Of facts, unless it is to repeat what we
nave said before, that our institutions are
quilt on the ballot, and not on the bayonet.
70 trife with the ballot, to tamper with it,
% subyert its DEGREES by arbitrary unjust
md illegal manipulation, is crime against
lopular government which no exigency of
iolitical affairs can justify. 1t is Il crime
which all parties should unite in condemn
ug and furnishing.
We have spoken above Of the impression
made by the report of the subcommittee
But we await with anxiety, the report Of
he full committee, which is now upon the
ground.