The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-09

We hardly think such an arrangement can
be called a "compromise,' as the result is
to depend upon the facts found by testi-
mony but whether it would be ''com-
promise" or not il 1t should be heartily ac-
cepte1 by the leaders,as il ought and prob
ably would be, it would have all the bene6-
cent without the harmful effects Of such
measures, in that it would pour oil on the
troubled waters and restore peace and con-
fidence to Louisiana. To us it seems the
most hopeful, practical and reasonable So
luton of these difficulties that has yet been
preached. When ii shall have been au-
thoritatiyely determined by Congress, ON
the report Of its committee which is the
legal lcgislaturc--that presided over by
Wilt " the one with Hahn for speaker
then intelligent action can be taken in ref
ercncc 10 the gubernatorial question. We
take it that so long as there is ii show of
question in reference to which is lie legs
laturc, and that question being a political
one, it is the sole province of Congress TO
determine, and when that judgment is
passed there is no appeal except TO the bal
lot box at legally called election.
Here was the difficulty with the conclu-
sion reached by Senator Carpenter the as
sumption that Congress had full power to
order a new election and that an election so
ordered would be legal. We have always
thought, and still think that Congress pos
sesses no such power. The only basis upon
which the authority is claimed is the con-
stitutional provision that congress shall
guarantee to every state ga republican form
OF government" and it seems to us that
this clause has already been stretched out
Of shape, and would hardly bear the addi-
tional strain of such II forced construction.
1t may be that congress is the sole Judge
whether or not Il state has republican
form of government but having determin-
ell that it has not such government, how
does it carry out the guaranty by continu-
ing the same .t6jm under n different cleo
ton? We doubt very much whether the
acts of officials so elected would he held
valid by the courts aud even if they
should be acquiesccd in, The precedent be-
side being of doubtful would also be of
dangerous tendency. If congress can so
determine in one case, they may in another.
If they can order new election in Louis
lana, they can in Vermont or New Hamp-
shire. When Mr. Hale, following the
same direction as Senator Carpenter, pro-
posed, Wednesday, to settle the Louisiana
matter by another new election, Vermont
| ers had reason to be proud of their repre-
| sentative, Mr. Willard, who promptly OBJ
| jected on the ground that he was unwil-
| ling to concede the existence of any such
| power in congress. He might have gone
further and. with equal truth, have said
that the necessity for such new election
did not now exist even if the power did.
There is no question that legal election
took place in Louisiana IN November. 1t
is, perhaps, true that frauds were commit
ted and intimidation exercised, but we ap.
prehend that it will be found that the in
stances are comparatively few, aud that
both parties are equally at fault. AS to
the frauds committed by the returning
board, that is another matter. but the con-
gressional committee can slraghteu il out,
and will if congress acts upon their recon-
mendations.
This having been accomplished all is
plain sailing. Let congress then authorize
L tho r1h al n1na,;,,, %, In
into and let the contestants abide the result
as they arc in duty bound 10 do and can be
compelled to do. If the committee should
find that Kellogg was daily and legally
elected so be it; if it should prove that
McEnery received a majority of the legal
votes, well and good. IT, however,
they should find, as we apprchend
they would, that the election was so
tainted with fraud and corruption
that neither Kellogg, McEnery, or
their lcutenants, were elected, then let the
offices be declared vacant and, if necessa-
ry, new election come. We apprehend,
however, that there would be no immc-
diate necessity for an election or, if they
should be, that any action ON the part of
Congress will be required. The constitu-
ton and laws of the state make ample pro-
visions for the emergency. II the Office
Of governor and lieutenant governor are
vacant, then the president Of the senate be-
comes acting governor and remains as such
until the vacancy is filed If it should be
l hoet TO J.. n.
power to call 1t is vested in the legislature,
and so by holding strictly to the same
course rs Congress would pursue in the
case OF Vermont, the whole matter can be
disposed OF without the assumption of
doubtful, dangerous or unconstitutional
powers. Let this congressional committee
settle the political questions that now exist,
and then lei the people of Louisiana work
out the rest In accordance with the rights
secured to them by the national constitu-
ton and laws. Let them have a "fair
show" at self government, and let the great
reproach that now rests upon the republl-
can party be lemoved-but let it not be
done because it will remove the reproach,
but because it is right. We firmly believe
that if the committee are vested with full
powers as arbitrators the whole trouble
will be settled at an early day and justice
done to Louisiana without any further in
, reference from Washington. Give it O
| fair trial and let justice be done though
the heavens fall, aud, even, if the result
, shall be different from that in which it Is
placed by the proclamations of the Presi-
dent NO party suffers by doing right,
every one suffers and parties are rent IN
, twain by persistent, continued wrong
doing. Let us, then, have full, flair, pa.
r tient investigation, report that no one
, can gainsay, and only legal, constitutional
action, and all will be well. without it