The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-22


 between the governor of the state and the legislature, and that diff ference of opinion became almost factiohs- The legislature became refractory and the Governor be came refractory. The governor undertook to control the legisla- ture and the legislature refused Ito have q quorum. There was a contest between two departments of the government. The govern or wanted his policy carried out, his measures acted upon. The legislature was opposed to them, and, for the purpose of deterring the governor from carrying out his plans, it refused to compel q quorum to be in attendance, and hence the contest and the struggle between the two. According to the constitution they were co-or- dinate branches of the govern ment, and one had no right to en- croach upon the other. We know that provisions is made in nearly all the constitutions. Perhaps i'll all of them certain rules are laid down in regard to the organiza- ton of the government. Certain rules are prescribed for the Exec utive Department, and certain rules are prescribed for the legis- lative department.
 THE LEGISLATURE RULES ITSELF.
 The legislature has the power to be the judge of the qualifica- tions and election of it's own mem bers. It has the right to prescribe rules for it's own government; it has the power to compel the at tendance of absent members, thereby making inherent in that body the power to preserve it's or ganization, and the responsibility to do that is with the legislature and not with the executive. Hence to defeat some measures that were favored and advocated by the Executive Department the legislature reduced it's number below a quorum and the struggle began. The Executive under took to take charge of the legisla- ture and to. have the members brought in ard compel them to act. Some of the members rendered their resignations, which were rejected by the governor. Others absented themselves or refused to vote, and reduced the House below quorum. Now, here is the precise case that you have in Louisiana. Here is q struggle between the government ment and contending members for seats in the legislature; but the main issue is between the leg islature and the governor. It Is conceded by all who have spoken on this subject that the military were those obeying the behests Of the governor to organize the leg islature, and to organize the legis- lature that favored him. In prin- ciplc it is precisely the same case.
 THE MILITARY IN TENNESSEE.
 Now what was done in the case that I have referred to? There was an attempt to force members to act in the legislature by the governor refusing to accept their resignations. It was not for them to organize the legislat ure; 1t was not for the governor to compel the attendance of absent members. The governor applied to the mlll- tary commander of the district for assistance in bringing the fugitive members back to their seats, and the following correspondence took place. General Thomas was then in command of that department and he was induced by the gov ernor to apply to the General oi the army here at that time Tor military aid to aid governor Brownlow to organize the legis- lature :--
 NASHVILLE, Tenn, July II, 1866. To LIEur. GENERAL GRANT :-
 Some of the members of the Tenn essee General Assembly conduct themselves in very refractory man ner, absenting themselves to pre- vent quorum. This is an obstruc' ton to business. Tho Governor can not manage them with the means al his disposal and has applied to m' for military assistance. Shall fur , nish it.