The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-01-01


torian who is simply a chronicler of events to
attempt to decide. We submit the facts; the
reader can draw his own conclusions.
HOME TOPICS.
Legislative and Executive.
The two prominent subjects which occupied
the attention of the forty-third Congress after
the Holiday recess were the finances and the
condition of Louisiana. Neither of these was a
new question but both had assumed so threat
ening an aspect that it was impossible to neg
lect a solution of them longer. The debate on
the financial question developed the fact that
the subject of political economy was one which
was little understood in this country Every
section had its pet theory of finance. The east
was in favor of strict contractive measures; the
south wanted more currency and the west was
divided. 1t was impossible to pass just such
bill as the contractionists wanted and the iufla-
tionists were weaker than their opponents. Fin.
ally a compromise was effected and a bill
passed providing for resumption on the first of
January 1879. Though not the best measure
which could be devised it was the best that
could succeed and its passage served to restore
III d SiCd0 ucSlCO tudb COuuueuC6 WHICH was 8 =
necessary to the revival of our trade and indus
tries. The bill received the hearty approval of
the President and he subsequently sent to Con-
gress message recommending measures to in
crease the revenue in order to carry out its pro-
visions.
The Kellogg -McEnery fight in Louisiana
broke out with renewed strength at the meet
ing Of the state legislature about the first of
| January. The electoral board had counted out
| five candidates who were believed to have re-
ceived majority of the votes cast and given
certificates to their five opponents on the theo-
| ry that these latter would have secured ma
jorty of the votes had not large number of
electors been disfranchised by intimidation and
| threats of violence. At the meeting of the
Legislature both sets of candidates presented
| themselves A row ensued; the McEneryites
| got control of. the body and the Kellogg fac.
ton appealed to the United States for protec-
| ton. The requested aid was furnished and
the legislature was dispersed by the troops.
| The action of the military gave rise to consd-
cradle discussion in Congress and throughout
| the north. On the one hand it was denounced
| as clear usurpation and violation Of the con-
stitution, and on the other defended as justified
| By the emergency which existed. One good
| result was that it forced Congress to abandon
| its inacton in regard to affairs in this state
| and compelled it to take measures for their set
| tement On the 18th of January the Presi-
| dent sent to Congress special message con-
| tanning circumstantial account of the pc rse-
| cution of sthe negro population of Louisiana
| and recommending Congressional action. The
| last of February the Congressional committee
appointed to investigate the origin of the troub-
| les reported The majority found Kellogg's gov
| ernment clear usurpation; unsupported by
the people and never elected by them and
| recommended that Kellogg be deposed. They
| found no reliable evidence to substantiate the
charges of the reported persecution and in
timidation of the negro by the whites. The
minority report was directly the reverse and
recommended the recognition of the Kellogg
| regime. A third report was submitted and
| signed by one member of the COMMITTEES which
agreed with the majority in its general find
| ings but recommended that Kellogg be recog-
| nized. After an acrimonious debate the mi
| nority report was adopted and Kellogg recog-
| nized as the lawful governor, and the five
| members of the legislature who had been de-
| prived of their seats ordered to be reinstated
| Subsequently, however, the contending fac
tions with the aid of the Congressional commit
tee patched up compromise, since which the
| state has been quiet.
| Besides legslating on those two subjects Con-
| gress passed the civil rights bill with the ex-
ception of the school clause, the Little tariff bill
and the bill for the equalization of soldiers
| bounties, which latter act failed to receive the
Presidents signature, and thus millions were
| saved to the treasury. Congress failed to make
| any appropriation for the continuance of civil
| service reform and the President was compelled
| to abandon it. Colorado and New Mexico were
admitted states. Besides investigating Louisi-
ana affairs congressional committee made
| inquiry into the means employed to carry
| through previous congress the Pacific mail
| subsidy. 1t was pretty clearly shown that
money was freely used to secure favorable con-
gressional action, and that two congressman at
| least-Messrs. Schumacher of New York and
| King of Wisconsin-profted thereby. A num-
| ber of lesser individuals, including several
| newspaper correspondents, were also implica-
| ted. Congress expired on the fourth of March
without any important action other than that
| above enumerated.
| Soon after adjournment President Grant
| called an executive session of the Senate Its
| only important action was the ratification of
| treaty of reciprocity with the Sandwich Is
| lands
The new Congress assembled on the first
Monday of December. NJ c. Kerr of Indi-
| ana, was chosen Speaker.
-
changes in the cabinet. Attorney General
Williams resigned on the 22d of April and was
| succeeded by Judge Edwards Pierrepont of
| New York. In September Secretary Delano
| resigned and Ex-senator Chandler of Michigan
| succeeded him. The Secretary of State sue
ceeded in settling the Virginius matter with
| Spain, and the indemnity agreed upon has
| been paid by that government. Another ques-
tion between this country and Spain relating to
the trial of American subjects on Spanish soil,
| has been settled in q manner honorable to both
| coun tries.
| The policy of the administration with regard
! to the Southern states has been attended with
| good results. Few outbreaks outside of Louisi
| ana have occurred. 1t was reported that me-
| gro conspiracy had been discovered in the state
| of Alabama, but if it really existed, which is
very doubtful, it was unearthed in season to
| prevent its consummation. One or two out
breaks have occurred in Mississippi but not of
| very serious character. The administration re-
| fused to furnish United States troops in re-
| sponse to the request of Gov. Ames of that
state and the effect seems to have been salu-
tary. The Texas border has been disturbed by
| raids from Mexico, but the government has