The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-06
WASHINGTON.
A Louisiana Member on The Situa-
ton in that State.
OPERATION OF THE WHEELER COMPROMISE,
The Course Of the Democrats During the
Opening Session Explained,
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON, Jan ., 1870
A LOUISIANA REPRESENTATIVES, ON THE DIS
PuTED eUBERNAToRIAL oUEsTIoN-THE
ACTION OF THE DEMOCRATS DURING THE
OPENING SESSION EXPLAINED.
Colonel Levy, member Of Congress representing the
Red River district OF Louisiana, has written letter to
the Democratic State Convention OF his State. which
meets to-day, in which he gives details of important
OF the attitude of the democratic majority in
the House the vexed Louisiana question: as well
the first authorized OF the deliberations which
brought the debate the FIRST day OF the session.
The letter is addressed to John McEnery New Orleans
and is as folows:-
The action Of the House OF Representatives on the
FIRST day Of the session has caused much surprise TO
friends, especially in louisiana and statement OF
the facts connected with the presentation OF Mr. Woods
resolution and OF the reasons gwen by the democrats
who opposed its passage is necessary for full under
standing Of the matter, and also in explanation OF the
non participation Of Messrs. Gibson Ellis and myself
in the debate on the resolution.
After elaboration and consultation by the democratic
members from Louisiana with many OF our older and
more experienced fellow members VIZ :-Speaker
Kerr, Hons. Fernando Wood. L. q c. Lamar, 5. :. Cox
and Others all Of whom expressed their approval OF the
course which had agreed upon, Mr.. Wood, on
count Of his long service and parliamentary experience
and thorough knowledge and thorough acquaintance
with all the features or the Louisiana
resolution for reference OF the credentials Of
Mcssrs Spencer and horey to the Committee Elec-
tons, and assume its conduct and management on the
foor These friends counseled that the Louisiana
members should not engage in the debate, but those
from other states should take the matter in
hand and press the passage oil the resolution,
preierring that il should not be presented by
the local representatives from the state directly
interested, but by those from other states
and sections, thus giving it a broader and more
tional inauguration and support We believed that
there would be unaniinity among tho democrats in
favor OF the resolution, and strengthened in this
belief by the approval and concurrence OF the prom
nent gentlemen whom we had consulted or course we
|
Our belief in the unanimity OF the democratic mem
bers was erroneous, as the subsequent action OF the
House developed and even alter its modification at
the instance OF MI LAMAR requiring only the refer
ence Of Morey's credentials, the resolution voted
down in full house in which the democratic majority
Is nearly seventy, and on Mr. Blane's motion Mr.
MOrey sworn in The contest of Mr.. Moreys seat
by Mr. Spencer Will therefore, be had on the merits Of
the case involving the facts of the election Of 1874
During the debate IL was charged on the repub
can side, and admitted by many OF the democratic
friends in the House, that at the last session of Con
gress there implied understanding and tacit
agreement though not formally expressed, that TIE
proposed Wheeler compromise should operate as an
acquiescence in the Kellogg government and further
action or discussion on that subject by Congress should
not be had
mitted by the supporters OF the resolution That the
understanding of tact agreement, above referred TO
in the proceedings OF Congress, not binding
on THIS, new body that the passage
by the House in the Forty third Congress OF the
resolution recognizing William Pitt Kellogg as the Gov
OF the State Of Louisiana did not and ought not
to control the Congress- the resolution OF
recognition having passed the House by party vote the
most OF the republican members having voted for u
and all the democratic members against; that the
election returns of 1872 had not been canvassed by the
Congressional Committee of investigation portion OF
which committee had undertaken the compromise OF
1873 involving only the election of 1874 that this
promise assuming to recognize kellogg as Governor has
the approval and ratification of the people OF Lou
isiana, and does not conclude the claims OF John
McEnery legal Governor These propositions
incidentally submitted. the House did not decide
upon and It's action decisive Only Of this-that
kellogg was exercising the iunciiens Of ihe
isGovcrnor and recognize1e as everclsiuy
such functions by the coordinate branches OF
the State government his certificate priDso facie en-
titled Mr.. horey TO be sworn IN as member Of the
House on It's organization. As shown by these pro-
ceedngs, II Is clearly the OF the House that the
issue, Who Is the legal Governor" should moi DO
raised coateraly, and therefore, II only be
sidered a direct and independent question. As
abstract proposition II to TO be clear that "
the preceding House Of Representatives had the right 10
declare its opinion the subject the present one,
fresh from the people, has the same right, and its
declaration should have more weight than that
OF its predecessor especially II based upon the returns
OF the elections OF 1872
feel it my duty TO state that many OF our friends in
Congress indicate unwllingness to reopen the
Louisiana case. The apparent and superficial quiet IN
the state Is misinterpreted by them the result OF
the Wheeler compromise and AS nanfesing tacit ac-
quiescence IN keloggs government. And hence, they
contend II is to our best policy to abstain from agita
ton Of this question, but rather TO bend
all our energies towards carrying the cleo
in November 1876. and thus effect the installation
OF the Governor OF choice. full understanding
Of the situation and OF the feelings OF tho people
laws blotng statute book ana parayzing the ener
gics OF the Commonwealth which enacted by past
Legislatures for the purpose OF suppressng the sont
ment and OF the voters and which, under the
existing usurpaton they powerlcss TO repeal,
necessary TO disabuse their minds and cause them to
give the subject a serious consideration and relief
which II demands and TO which Il Is justly
entitled memorial Of the people OF Louisiana,
through representatives OF its most ntcge classes
assembled in convention setting forth the grievances
under which they labor the wrongs which have been
heaped upon them and the sacred rights which have
been violated by high.handed usurpaton, could
hardly fail to command the serious attention Of Con
gress. Aud should II fail to accomplish the 10
sired relief would at least bring % the knowledge Of
brethren throughout the whole Union the facts and
the truth Of our and place the record the
proper attitude OF continued hostility the usurpaton
forced upon us by the strong Of federal govern
ment and Of earnest appeal to the spirit Of right and
Justice which should animate our fellow citizens Of
every section in the Republic
In this connection feel at liberty 10 speak for my
colleagues. need not assure you that the democratic
representatives. from Louisiana in this Congress arc
fully alive 10 thelmporance Of the question and their
most jealous efforts viii be put forth toward securing
such action will redress the wrongs OF the oppressed
and unfortunate State and guarantee her right under
republican form OF government 10 regulate her do
mestic household and enjoy those privileges and ran
chsee to which she Is entitled undor the constitution
and which are her birthright as a sovereign State.
With highest consideration am truly yours: -
WILLIAM A. LEVY.
This letter expresses the views Of the democratic
mart al the Iouisiapa delegation.