The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-02
TIE SITUATION.

It cannot be denied that for some days pas
there has been an uneasy feeling in the pub
lie mind lest the differences known to exis
between the two branches of the Legislature
might eliminate in some conflict or disturb
ance. The course pursued by the Senate in
refusing to give effect to the implied condi.
tons Of the adjustment by concurring in
fair and honest election law, and the evident
determination Of the Republicans to retain
and to employ that absolute control over the
election which the existing law places in
their hands was calculated to exasperate the
public, and to arouse feeling the more dan
gerous because founded upon real and almost
intolerable grievances. On the other hand,
the manner in which the Houss approached
the question Of impeachment did not tend to
allay apprehension or to reassure the public
mind.
The House itself, in voting the impeach-
m ent of the Governor, did not know the ma
ture Of the charges against him, or the char
&C or of the evidence on which they were
based. The community was left to conjecture
as to the results of the investigation by the
ommittee, and to the inference that in
place Of the crimes and misdemeanors con-
templated by the Constitution as the basis Of
the removal of public officer, the forms of
accusation we're to be used as the agency Of
contemplated political revolution. And, final
ly, this uneasy feeling was intensified by the
shocking violation of constitutional require
ments and Of judicial processes, which dis
grsced the proceedings of the Senate on
Tuesday. night. After such conduct on the
part of the Senate, the House, acting within
the limits of its constitutional authority, might
justifably have resorted to any ex-
fremities to maintain its position and to en-
force its mandates. Whether it could succeed
in the effort or not at least it would have been
legally and morally in the right But the at
tempt might have been attended with conse.
quences so serious as, in the case of failure,
to nullify any benefit to be derived from the
effort and We must, therefore, recognize and
applaud the wisdom and discretion with |
which the House has acted in abstaining |
from measures which might, and probably
would, lead to disastrous results. The as
sur ance given by Mr.. Nil'z, on the part of
The majority, that nothing would be done to
m peril the public peace, removes the feeling
Of uneasiness which has prevailed and will
90 far toward convincing the public that the
movement against the Governor was dictated
~ q serious and solemn sense Of duty to the
State.
The House has now done what ought to
rave been done at much earlier date. 1t
las announced the charges which are pre-
erred against the Governor and leaves to
he public to Judge whether or not these are
~ fficiently grave to warrant impeachment,
md, if supported by adequate evidence, to
insure the conviction of the accused if tried
" tribunal controlled by considerations Of
Justice and duty. The record of the House
3 thus completed, and, although this record,
r any other, may have no influence on
,arty constituted like the Republican party
# Louisiana, yet that party must, before
he country, bear the odium of the subter-
uges by which the Senate escaped from its
obligation to hear ard decide upon the testi-
nOny.