The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-10-12
TAFT'S CIRCULAR
Preparatioms for the MILITARY Raid Upon
the Sotsth--ChGntberlGin Firing
ThinOs In South Car


T7,fngs In South Car
OginG.
Washnton Special to the Cincinnati Commercial
Arrangements are in progress to give
full force to the circular letter of instruc-
tions in reference to the coming elections,
issued to-day by the attorney general.
Upon the receipt Of the presidents aP-
proval of the circular, a council was held
at the war department, at which attorney
general TAFT, secretaries Cameron, Chan
dler and Robinson, generals Sherman and
Kruger, and governor Chamberlain, OF
South Carolina, we're present. The bear
ing of the circular upon the condition of
affairs in the southern states was fully
discussed, and a programme arranged
which will enable the civil and military
officers of the government to act in har-
mony should such action become neces-
sary.
The attorney general maintains that
the holding of meetings, in peaceable
and orderly manner, to discuss the issues
of an election and arrange the necessary
details for legally conducting it, is a pre-
liminary part of the election itself, neces-
sary to it's fuIfllment, and any violent
or unauthorized interference with such
meetings is a malicious intimidation,
which the United States authorities have
full power under the statute to suppress
and punish. Marshals will be held re-
sponsible for any breach of the peace
growing out of the elections, whether &C.
curing before, upon, or after the day Of
election: and are especially instructed
that they have the right to summon to
their assistance, in preventing and sup
pressing disorders, every person within
their respective districts, including state
and national troops.
1t is the purpose of the government to
place troops in every district where VIC
lence is expected on the day of the cleo
ton, or where intimidation is practiced
or threatened in any form prior thereto,
in order that they may be within the jul
risdiction of United States marshals and
subiec to their call for the preservation of
the publict peace and the protection Of
the citizens.
The outrageous interference with
peabeable assemblies of the people, now
practiced in South Carolina, will be
stopped under this circular, Gov. Cham
berlain having left here tonight with
assurances that a sufficient force will
be placed within the call of the mar
shals of that state to secure the arrest
and punishment of this class of offenders.
Gen. Kruger has been assigned to the
command of the department. of the gulf,
and left to might for his headquarters at
Atlanta. Before leaving he had a con-
ference with the attorney general and
Gen. Sherman, and was fully instructed
bv the latter as to his duty under any
emergency which may arise. Full in
structions have also been forwarded to
the division commander at New Orleans,
through Gen. Sheridan. Commanders
of companies and detachments of troops
will be ordered 10 assist in the proven
ton of organized intimidation and sup
preston of violence, when called upon by
United States marshals.
The statutory provisions bearing upon
elections, which are to be appended to
the circular, will be issued tomorrow.