The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-03-29
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, ID. O., March 70, 1917.
The political situation in Louisiana
and South Carolina has been subject
of protracted daily discussion by the
President and Cabinet since the regular
Cabinet session on Tuesday. This mo-
mentous question has been viewed from
every standpoint, every paper bearing
upon the issues presented by the differ
ent factions has been examined and moth
ing was left undone in the endeavor to
reach conclusion which would best
serve the interest of the country as well
as that of these two unhappy states.
But the adjustment of all difficulties in
volved proves a knotty problem indeed
and no final decision has been reached
beyond determination to send a Com
mission to Louisiana to investigate the
case and report conclusions, and to
retain the troops in both states. We
regard the Commission more as an ex-
pedient to gain time than as q means of
settlement. So diverse are the views of
prudent conservative men without regard
to party that the President evidently
feels himself unable to conclude upon
what is the better course to pursue
His cabinet is by no means unit upon
the Southern policy, nor are the Repub-
Hcan Senators and members of Congress
hence, with so many opposing elements
surrounding him, the necessity of max
ing haste slowly is perfectly evident
Every device is resorted to by the fac
tons in these states to misrepresent the
exact status of affairs and it is impossi-
BILE for the President to conclude what
is proper to be done in the premises and
his determination to take more time
must strike every thinking rejecting
citizen as eminently wise and proper
He has not as yet been three weeks in
this position and it is pre- eminently
foolish to suppose him able to summarily
cut the gordian knot unless we give him
a sword as weapon. He wisely depre-
ciates use of arms and will if the country
permits bring order out of chaos down
there without use of an additional bayo-
net. Somebody must rule South Caro-
lima and Louisiana and that without
constant protection of Federal bayonets.
Compromise installed Mr.. Hayes and if
peace can only be given these states by
compromise and concession which will
recognize Hampton and Nichols to the
exclusion of Chamberlain and Packard
we feel assured the country will not
hesitate to make it summarily. We
compromised with England for the ire
parable injuries of Alabama cruisers and
we will If it be necessary force compro
mise upon the warning factions in the
only two states of the Union which will
not be at peace.
GENERAL GRANT.
The ex-president inclines to the opinion
that the result of the Commission visit
ing Louisiana will be the recognition of
the Packard government but admits
that this will be controlled materially by
the one question, s'Will this recognition
compel a standing army to preserve it? 2"
eff Packard has no strength to support
himself and his life is given solely by
bayonets, it would be better to let him
go at once for any other form of govern
ment which will give the state perma-
nent peace and relief" Gen. Grant
leaves for the west tomorrow but will
return in few weeks preparatory to his
contemplated European tour. Weques-
ton the propriety of his course in M
dertaking to resist the suit for damages
brought against him by lunatlc named
higgins who sues him for 800, GOO
damages. Protected as he Is by the
statute from suit it hardly seems neces-
sary to make reply to man who swore
last summer before the Investigating
Committee that Gen. Grant had entered
his room by the key hole and had taken
him bodily ont of the window. But as
Gen. Grant has never shirked a fight in
the past We presume ii would be contrary
to his principles to dodge now behind
statute IN order to avoid a contest of
any nature.
THE NEXT HOUSE.
Mr.. Adams, Clerk of the House last
Congress, now has $50 regular certifi-
Gates from the new members and as they
show democratic majority of 20 the
democrats are taking it for granted they
viii have the next speaker. Fernando
Wood and Randall are here vigorously
pushing their claims and both are SAN
gnlne of success. Randall says that Cox's
tour in the South, drumming among the
Southern members for their votes, will
not avail more than mere complimentary