River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-01-15
THE GREAT DEBATE.
Louisian. Affair. in the Senate

Louisiana Affairs i'm the Senate
I SENATE---Mr. Thurman introduced
resolution requesting the President to
inform the Senate of the interference
by military forces in the organization
Of the Louisiana House, and ''by what
authority such military Intervention
and interference have taken place
Mr.. Conkling suggested that it would
be better TO preserve the customary
phraseology of such resolutions, by in
sorting the words, "if in his Judgment
it is not incompatible with public in
| terest.
Mr.. Thurman did not agree with SEN
ator Conkling as to the propriety of
inserting the words suggested This
question did not relate to any foreign
power. If it did, then it would be
proper to insert those words. IL was
not for the Senate to submit TO the
opinion or judgment of the President.
II was proper that the Senate should
know the facts. 1t was not a case
where the information would interfere
with warlike movements, although the
late trouble had the appearance of war.
II was not war made by the people.
lie would not say who did make the
war, but would wait for the facts in the
case.
Mr.. Conkling said the Senator from
Ohio seemed to think that he distin-
guished this case from all others by
observing that the topic did not con-
Germ our relations with foreign power.
If there was sense or reason in rule
which committed something to the ex-
ecutive decision, he (Conkling) thought
1t should apply to tins resolution, which
related to a serious disorder in one of
the Stats Of this Union. He thought
this rule was suggestive of cOnsidera-
tons which should address themselves
to every Senator, not as a partisan, but
as he stood, upon his oath to be true to
the greatest trust committed to him.
Turbulence and defiance of law
stalks high in the public
ways, and the Senate did not know
but even now, as it was celebrating on
this resolution, peace, order, security
of life and law were being trampled in
the mlre in the streets OF Now Orleans.
The Senator thurman says it is for
US to say absolutely, in the twinkling
Of an eye, that before the sun goes
down tomorrow, the President must
communicate all the facts to the Senate.
TINS resolution was specially one in
which the Senate should leave it to
the reason, prudence and discretion of
the President to say whether this pub
heation would be incompatible with
the public interest. In conclusion, Mr..
Conkling moved to amend the resolu-
ton be inserting after the word re-
quested,' and +" If, in his judgment, not
incompatible with the public interest. "
Mr.. Thurman replied that
in respect to foreign affairs it had al
ways been the usage to use the words
moved by the Senator from New York,
but in a time of profound peace sim
pie resolution ofinquiry as to our do
nestle affairs was not left to the dis
erection Of the President, for him to
answer according to his will or desire.
This resolution related to what had al
ready taken place--was question OF
fact, and there was no possible way by
which the President could prejudice
public interests by answering. If inter.
ference in Louisiana matters did take
place, the Senate could ask the Presi
dent to tell by what authority it did
take place. The Senate had a right to
request the information, and if there
was any reason why the President
should not furnish it. it was for him TO
communicate the fact to the Senate
or if he deemed it proper he could send
1t to the Senate under the seal of secre.
sy to be considered in executive session.
Louisiana was not the only State in
which trouble had occurred in refer.
ence 10 the organization Of a Legisla.
ture. In Ohio, on one occasion, there
were for two weeks or more, two bod.
les, both claiming to be the Legislature
of the State, but thank God they had
no fraudulent returning board they
had not descended to that depth Of per.
dition. If Martin Van Buren,. who wa,
then President, has sent the military to
interfere in that Legislative conflict,
the troops would never have left Col.
umbus alive. In Pennsylvania, also,
there had been a similar instance, and
how would the people of that State
have acted had the federal
government interfered What would
not be tolerated in Massachu.
sets for a single moment was now the
case in Louisiana. lie drsired to know
whether, because Of the first fatal step
in foisting an illegal Governor upon the
people of Louisiana, all liberty and all
law in that State was to perish lie
wanted to know who it was that called
into use the military of the United
States 20 organize the Legislature of
Louisiana. lie did not want this mat.
ter decided by clamor or tumult there
would be a tumultuous spirit in New
York, Ohio, and Michigan if either Of
these States were suffering from the
same cause.
Pending the discussion, in which Sen.
ators Morton, Howe, Logan, and Ell.
munds participated, the Senate ad.
ljourned.
A Kansas Murderer Suspended
WithoHs Choking Intii IIc Freezes
fo nenIh. while Ihc Nah Hear a. q