The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-02-06
A Crab-Like Committee.
ffrom the New York Evening Post, William Gu
hem Bryant, Editor.

1 Z
hem Bryant. Editor
The remaining members OF the Select
Committee of the House OF Representa-
tiyes on the affairs OF the Southern States
have decided, SO IL Is said, 10 initiate. the
visit Of the subcommittee to New Orleans
IL Is difficult 10 discover any substantial
reason for their proposed journey. Ii Is
reported from Washington that they have
been asked TO continue the investigation
by Kellogg and both branches Of the State
Legislature. by the Republican members
Of Congress from Louisiana. and by the
New Orleans newspapers-although IL does
not appear that the latter have made any
specific requests. In view Of the DECLARE
ton of the subcommittee, that the ac-
ton of the Returning Board on the whole
was arbitrary, unjust and In our opinion
Illegal; and that this arbitrary, unjust and
illegal action alone prevented the return
by the board of "A majority Of Conservative
members TO the loves House," and also
I'm view of the fragmentary condition in
which the lower House has existed since
the 18th of January, II is little uncertain
as to what part and how much of the
Louisiana Legislature have requested addi-
tional investigation. We should judge,
however. that the presence Of the full CON-
mittee In Louisiana Is demanded almost
exclusively by that peculiar class OF 1se-
pubicans of which kellogg Is a shining
specimen and this opinion is rather con-
firmed than otherwise by the further an
nouncement that . the full committee will
examine by request particularly into two
subjects-the extent Of intimidation in the
election throughout the State, and the
character, strength, organization and pur-
pose of the White League"
These are two topics i'm res oect to which
great deal of transformation has been
spread over the country. They are pecu-
liarly susceptible, leaving out OF the ac-
count all intentional self-deception, Of
leading to diverse conclusions. An exam
pie of this is furnished i'm the sub-commit-
tees report. A Mr.. Wells, of the KEEL
logg party, was the Clerk of Rapides
Parish County, up 10 September last
when the rival candidates on the McEnery
ticket, encouraged by the actual overthrow
in New Orleans of the Kellogg Govern
ment, demanded and received the office.
When Kellogg had been placed upon his
feet again by the Federal power the ousted
office-holder did not attempt 10 recover
his place. After the State election in No
vember Dir. Wells was sent for. notwifh-
standing the fact that he had made no at
tempt TO be restored to office, to sign the cleo
ton returns. From these circumstances Mr..
Wells made out case of intimidation.
The subcommittee, however, say. and APP
parently with perfect justice, that they fail
TO see "any intimidation of Mr.. Wells. still
less ofthe electors of the parish" A par
tisan committee might have agreed with
Mr.. Wells. There is not much doubt that
the new investigation will be made by a
partisan committee. The full select CON-
mittee consists of seven members. Three
of these constituted the subcommittee,
namely: Messrs. Charles Foster, of Ohio
William Walter Phelps, of New jersey ;
and Cla.i.sJE n. Potter OF New \ ork-the
first two Republicans and the latter a
Democrat. All of them are gentlemen of
unblemished character, who, without
being partisans, are faithful party men.
In the discharge of official duty, however,
each one OF them. we believe, may be
trusted TO regard the public interests as OF
more Importance than party necessities.
The Chairman of the committee is Mr..
George F. Hoar. of Massachusetts, who
as the rule, looks at every public question
through the Administration spectacles.
The other members are Messrs. William
II. Frye, of Maine. Samuel 5. Marshall. OF
Illinois, and William A. Wheeler. of New
York. Mr.. Marshall is Democrat.
Messrs. FRYE and Wheeler are Republicans,
who are likely TO make a strenuous effort
To see that their party receives no damage.
The new investigation will be made by
Messrs. Hoar, Frye. Wheeler, Marshall, and
perhaps Foster. The composition OF its
majority is not such as TO commend its
work.
Aside from all this, however. we cannot
see any object in new investigation. un-
less II Is undertaken for the purpose of
/ t,,r f,fx tla 4 bv
the General Government. III that Is its
object, the results will be entitled to very
little weight. The report of the sub-com-
mittee seems TO us 70 cover most Of the
ground. Intimidation and the white
| League are discussed and settled. The
conduct of Kellogg and his associates is
considered and properly characterized.
The political. social and Industrial condi
| ton of Louisiana is considered and set
forth. Even Mr.. George +. Hoar has given
his official assent TO the astounding fact
expressed in the following paragraph:
"The frequent arrests by United States Mar
ehals for intimidation OF threats OF non employ
ment. and the impression that was felt that the
Returning Board would count out their men II
an excuse for such course were offered, all com
bned, especially after the l4th Of september. TO
put the Conservatives on their good behavior, and
the result was that In November, 1874, the people
Of the state Of Louisiana did fairly have free
peaceable and full registration and election. in
which clear Conservative majority was elected
20 the Lower House Of the Legislature. of which
majority the Conservatives were deprived by the
unjust, illegal and arbitrary action Of the Return
ing Board.
This being admitted to be fact. what fur
Their investigation is necessary? IL seems
to us that the time for going backward like
a crab has gone by, and that the only per-
tinent question now Is, "What shall be
done to secure TO the people of Louisiana
their rights as citizens and votersy"