Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-12
MR.. WHEELER EXPLAINS.

Congressman Wheeler of New York
has written letter concerning Louisiana
matters, in which he expresses the opin-
ion that the compromise entered into as to
the legislature and the State government
has produced good results, and that the
allegation that it has not been kept is not
well founded. We have no doubt that the
prospect of peace and stable government
which the compromise promised exerted a
healthy influence. Whether the award
was kept as agreed upon by the parties to
it is another matter, and one upon which
there seems to have been difference of
opinion. This difference arose on account
of the re-seating of four democratic men,
bers of the Legislature al the extra session.
These men were unseated By the republi-
cans at the winter session, but Mr..
Wheeler evidently believes they were le-
gslly entitled to seats, since they held the
certificates of the Returning Board and
their names were on the list Of members
used by the republican clerk at the attemp-
ted organization in January. When the
award was made the names of these men
were not included in it, and they took no
part in the articles Of adjustment. MIR.
Wheeler explains that he understood the
clause In the award which stipulates that
there should be no change in the House Of
Representatives after the award was adop-
ted until the next election, to mean "that
1.-THE House of Representatives was to be
las returned by the Returning Board af-
''ter the errors of that board had been
corrected, in the cases specified in the
agreement by the award of the commit
"tee, and its adoption by the House Of
Representatives" This OF course would
admit the four democrats in dispute to
seats, for they had the certificates of the
Returning Board. they were unseated at
the former session by less than a quorum
and therefore not legally unseated. and
the articles of adjustment contained moth
ing in reference to their case.
But Mr.. Wheeler also makes the fol-
lowing important statement in his letter.
The matter of the four members was
"fully discussed in Gen. Sheridan room,
land Col. Leonard 1.-THE leading negotia-
'tor on the democratic side] distinctly in
formed us that he wished no conceal
'.ment, and that it was due to us that he
should inform us that if the award of the
committee should be adopted by the
House, the democrats would promptly
..reseat the four members" This occur
renee took place the day previous to the
opening of the extra session. AS none of
the members Of the congressional commit
tee except Mr.. Wheeler were in Lorisi-
ana at the time, they of course were igno-
rant of the understanding which had been
reached in relation to the four democrats,
and very naturally supposed that the at
tempt to seat them was in violation OF the
award. Mr.. Wheeler's explanation re-
lieves the democrats from the charge of
having broken faith, and raises again
hope that the compromise will be kept and
Louisiana date from its adoption the COM
of new career Of peace and
prosperity. Mr.. Wheeler says IL can
"easily perceive how parties at dis
"tance, without knowledge of the facts in
detail, should think the democrats guilty
''of non-observance of the provision which
II have cited. But l cannot think them
"in fairness obnoxious to the charge, and
common justice which ought to charac-
"terize parties rs well as individuals, en-
titles them to this explanation. The re-
publican party has now put itself in the
fright in Louisiana. The action of both
"parties in the future will be watched by
"the country, and the people will mete
Tout TO each the Judgment to which by its
''acts it shall entitle itself, and to that tri
"bunal the matter may safely be con-
"fdedn