New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-06

ON STATE OFFICES TO THE ARBITRATION OF THE
.o,,psss1os,t CoNiMrrrEE-TECHNICAL oBJEo-
TON TO THE CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATION OF
,,1z,r,IsLArURE-MIsR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF TBR
= vvrrv ,r,auE-MuITARY INTERFERENCE IN
NECESSARY.
fur TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l
Npw. ORLEANS. Jan. 5-The members Of the Con-
rressicual Committee engaged in the investigation
az Louisiana affairs have devoted themselves to
,hair work with most commendable diligence. They
have been in session day and night declining all in
vitatons to balls dinners parties, drives. and other
entertainments thrust upon them by the hOspitable
people of New-0rleans.
The correspondent of THE TRIBUNE called at the
Committee rooms this afternoon to ask of the MEM
beers their views as to the present situation Mr.
Potter had left for Washington. Mr.. Foster was
busily engaged. Mr.. Phelps was accosted as he was
about to enter the room. He had no
objection TO giving his opinions, but pleaded
lack of time as excuse for being short. de saw
nothing in his position as a Congressman sent to
take testimony, which was daily published to the
world which rendered it necessary to conceal or
withhold his individual sentiments, but there was
one consideration which might make 1t polite for
what would probably be an open secret tomorrow
morning aud is certainly an incident most credit
able to the officials of the State, and of course
very fiattering to the Committee. He meant the
fact that the leading members of both
governments had, either orally or in writing re-
uuested this Sub Committee to act as arbtrators to
fix the whole political status and declare the nights
OF all parties concerned Mr.. Phelps said that both
Kellogg aud Antoine of the de Jacto and McEnery
and Penn Of the de jare government had distinctly
promised to accept any solution recommended by
the COMMITTEE and to assist by the resignation OF
apy and all of them, if desired The Committee
would return tomorrow to Washington, and then
and there consult with their colleagues aud friends
rs to whether they ought to return and assume the
great responsibility thus offered them. As he might,
under these circumstances, sit as a Judge on the
merits of the case Mr. Phelps preferred to be ques-
toned on only the following topics
Touching the legality of the House as organized
BY the Conservatives yesterday, he had in his
speech last night under the excitement OF the occa-
SION, given his opinion and reflection had not
changed it. 1t was illegal, and for this reason
Louisiana has a statute, passed IN 1877 which, 10
tenns, directs the manner in which the House
shall organize itself. The Returning Board
hands Its returns to the Secretary OF State
The Secretary of State takes these returns,
This roll is given to the Clerk of the last
House, and with this roll the Clerk
calls the House to order and presides
ct the organization. That nothing may be taken by
tntendment the statute says in so many words that
REPRESENTATIVES whose names are this roll, and
tney only shall take part in the organization OF the
House but yesterday the Conservatives, forcibly
supplying the place Of the Clerk by Chairman pro
&em in defiance of this express provision swore IN
Ave men as members whose names were not on the
roll and admitted them to participate IN the cleo
ton of Speaker. Mr.. Phelps had heard that the Re
puLlicans had organized their Legislature in the
same fashion, and thus set precedent. but doubted
che propriety of urging that Democrat might
break the law if he could prove Republican bad
broken it. Besides, it was claimed that the Repub-
hcan Legislature referred to organized previous
TO the the statute referred to. This statute
was of 1872 that Legislature was of 1868.
Mr. Phelps did not hesitate to declare that the in
reference of the United States equally Illegal
The Legislature of State was something the
Federal Government could not touch. In his opin-
ion: States should fight their own battles within
their own borders, without interference. If they
maintained republican form of government that
was all the United States ought to ask about. Nor
did he think the Federal Government ought to in
sjst beyond the form That was all the Constitution
right of Federal interference here IN New-Orleans
there was no case There no instruction and no
domestic violence. The Governor had $50 policemen.
And there was no armed or organized body to oppose
them all whose disposition and position might in
auce them to offer dangerous opposition were In the
White League, and they had, after public delibera-
tiOn decided iUally to take part, and not to APP
pear either with without arms on that occasion,
and this determination was publicly known. The
Committee had the Chief of Police Saturday night
late before them. and he had testified that he had
no definite knowledge of threatened danger, and to
allay feelings of apprehension they subsequently
questioned in public wellknown citizen,
BID officer of the League who testified
that the League would not assemble anywhere
on Monday. He thought the Committees presence
in New-Orleans had done good thing; it had
exploded the dread mystery OF this White League.
It was not secret; il was not political IL was not
BIZ organization Of the State. 1t numbered but 800
in the city, its constitution published, were
all its resolutions; its deliberations public, and
there has been meeting at which reporters and
citizens have not been present. It's only
act of apparent lawlessness was that of Sept.
a. For that il offers the justification that all
beyond the rescue Of its was unprecedented.
Its officers are all men of character and property,
end it intends to act only superior police in the
interests of law and order. Touching the Repub-
hcan Legislature organized after the Conservative
members withdrew Mr.. Phelps did not yet know
accurately the facts. 1t seemed from rumor that
on the first roll-cal 50 members present, when
"a we're necessary for a quorum. If the testimony
tonight elected that fact, its organization of
course as incomplete and illegal that of the Con-
seTvatlve body.