The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1876-12-16
President Grants Views.
Why the Troops were Sent to South Car
olina, Louisiana and Florida.

On the Cd inst. the telegraph of
| that date informed the country that
the President in conversation with
the agent of the National Associated
| Press said he regretted very much the
condition of affairs i'm South Carolina,
Florida and Louisiana as represented
by dispatches to the press, official dis
patches, and information brought by
members of Congress and others who
have visited Columbia, Tallahassee,
and New Orleans and who have been
eye witnesses of the exciting scenes
that have transpired since the day
of the Presidential election. He said
the charge that the Administration
and himself in particular, interfered
with the military of the United
States for the purpose of coercing the
electoral vBte of South Carolina,
Florida aud Louisiana for Mr.. Hayes,
wass unjust and nnwarranted by the
facts. The troops were sent to these
States on applieatio of the respect
i've Governors thereof, made and pro
vided for in the Constitution and for
the sole purpose of preserving the
peace. The commanding officers in
each State had been carefully iu-
structed not to interfere in the affairs
of said State for any other purpose.
Investigation by the opponents of the
government had failed to shog that
the troops had intimidated single
voter or had interfered with the con-
duct of the elections or with the ac-
tion of the returning or canvassing
boards. The acts of the military at
Columbia on Tuesday last were alto
gether due to a misapprehension of
General Ruger's orders to his subordi-
mates in the command of troops sta
toned at the State House. This WAS
unfortunate but certainly was not
Intentional. General Ruger had
promptly disavowed the act of his
subordinate, and to prevent repeti-
ton of the act had withdrawn the
troops from the State House. The
President said that according to the
State laws of South Carolina Cover
nor Chamberlain was the legally con-
stitutetl Governor nf the State until
his successor was officially declared,
and the Federal Government could
Hnt do otherwise than recognize him
as such aud sustain his authority
against domestic violence beyond the
power of the State authorities to con-
troll. He said it is the duty of the
State Legislature as soon as it effects
ul organization ta can raass q safE
for Governor and declare the result,
and whoever the Legislature should
declare to be legally elected would
undoubtedly he peaccahly inaugurated
and recognized by the General Gov
erument He hoped the affair would
be peacefully settled.
The President does not apprehend
any difficulty over the settlement of
the Presidential question. He thinks
Governor Hayes is undoubtedly en-
titled TO the electoral vote of South
Carolina and Florida, aud perhaps of
Louisiana. but about the latter State
he thinks there may be some doubt,
on account of the many complications
surrounding the action of the Return
ing Board but the eminent gentle
men of both parties who have been
witnesses of the operations of the
Board, he thinks, ought to be able to
agree upon verdict that will satisfy
both parties throughout the country.
Salem fOl Republican.