The Van Buren press., 1876-12-05
A REALLY ALARMING SITUATION.
An Interview with the President Of the
Union League Club.
From New / ork World. Nov. 20 !

Mr.. VIM. NJ Evarts was in Washing
ton yesterday. A reporter ofThe World
called on his partner, Mr. JOS. II Choate
the President Of the Union League Club
and submitted the news of the afternoon
with the following question;
Is there any authority in law for the
interference of the troops in the organi-
zation of the South Carolina Lcgisla-
ture = asked the reporter.
81 do not know was the reply, "wherc
the troops get their authority, and | do
not see how we can have much State leg
islation if the army of the United States
is to be in charge Of the legislatures.
1.-The army of the United States be-
ing in fact in charge Of the South Caro-
lima Legislature, were they justified in
law in excluding the members elect hold
ing certificates OF the Supreme Court p
asked the reporter.
" As to that, answered Mr.. Choatc,
" do not know what the laws OF State
recognize as legal certificates Of election;
the point is that the United States army
is in possession Of the halls of the Leeis-
lature. We certainly cannot go on very
long on that system
AS to the presence of troops in Colum-
bia Mr.. Choate said: Before the clec-
ton they certainly made out a pretty
good case to show the necessity for the
presence of troops, but this state of af-
fairs is certainly something not contem-
plated by the Constitution. The Re.
turning Board has given the electors
their certificates, and the present contest
Is all about the State officers aud does not
affect the electors. There is, therefore.
none of the justification which might be
claimed if the election Of the Unted
States officers was involved. | would
like 70 know what business it is of the
United States Army who is Governor of
South Carolina or who constitute its
Legislature"
I" Had Judge Bond any authority to
rcTicw the action Of the Supreme Court
Of the State in the first placcy' was the
next inquiry.
/ do hot know that he had Mr..
Choate replied; he probably acted on
the suppostion that the electors were
United States officers. | have always
supposed that they were State officers
and that the United States had nothing
to do with them"
Mr.. tnoate then spoke Of TIE silIiiar-
ity of the South Carolina business to the
Louislan outrage, when General De Tro-
BRAND broke up the Legislature, and
said: :" In Louisiana they turned the
members out Of the House and here they
prevent them from going in. 1t is, no
DOUBT, wise to concentrate troops where
there is danger of trouble; but to put
them IN possession of n State.IIouse Il
really don't know how a Government is
going to be run on that principle 1t is
a melancholy state of affairs
as it not melancholy enough to iusti-
fy the House of Representatives in inn
peaching Mr. Grant," asked the reporter.
" 1t would be useless, said Mr.. Ghoate,
the Senate would support him"
But the House could at least record
It's sentiment on the subject
Said Mr.. Choate, after pause" 1t
really does not seem possible that Grant
has ordered this. | do not think he has.
There is not the slightest warrant of au-
thorlty for it" He then inquired if it
is likely that there is any truth in the re-
port that the rifle clubs have attacked
the United States troops, and, being an
swered in the negative, added bitterly
enough: " suppose our New York Leg
lslature will be allowed to assemble with
out the interference Of United States
troops ~
81 do not know, it is difficult to saw"
said the World reporter
Yes, indeed" resumed Mr.. Choate; il
is getting to be close thing now it is
really alarming