The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-04-19
The Louisiana Commission.

The Commission appointed by Presi
dent Hayes continued to "receive" at New
Orleans on the 10th. A delegation of thirty
colorcd men first called and argued in behalf
Of Packard. claiming that his title to the Gov
ernorship was the same as that Of Hayes to the
Presidency. The Mayor and a portion OF the
City Council next called. The Mayor stated
that the debt OF the city in 1874 was $24, ,oOO,-
900 and trat it was now 500 ,000, 900. Taxes in
1874 were tx per cent and now lk cents on
the dollar. O.her delegations from the city
and various parts of the State also called and
the entire day was t;cupied by these con-
terences.
The Commission was occupied on
the llth as OH pl evious days in hearing dele
cations. Among those heard was Pinchback,
with fifteen colored men, who were all op-
posed to Packard and in favor of the Nichols
government. The Commission also inter-
viewed Packard and Nichols in person.
The proceedings of the Commission
on the 10Th were unimportant so far as the
public were made aware, but a secret session
was held, lasting all night. 1t is reported
that this secret session was devoted to pre-
pairing telegram to the President asking
further instructions.
The Commission was in secret ses-
SION all day on the 18th. Their cipher dis
patch to the President circumstantially re-
lates the result OF their conference with both
Nichols and Packa~ 3, the Judges Of tie re-
spective Supreme Courts and other parties in
interest. They say they find that the Mich.
oils party are not disposed to make any con-
cessions, but viii meintain their ground in the
belief that ultimately, az in the uampt N
case OF South Carolina, they will have full
and unobstructed possession OF the Louis
lana State Government. The Packard party
are ready to enter into an arrangement for a
joint Legislature to determine the perdirg
questions, but, this being rejected by the
Nichols party, ask the President to deter
mine which is the legal State Cover ament
The President declines to act upon the re-
quest as, under the present circumstances,
he wop'd not be justified in makinga decis-
ion. Owing to the disagreement OF the Mich
oils and Packard parties, and the unpromis-
ing prospects of accommodation, the Com.
mission ask tor further instructions, which
will be sent after Cabil let session. A tel
egram was received rom the President On
the evening OF the 18th, but the Commis-
sion declines to make the contents public.
At the session on the l4th, Gen. Nc.
MILAN, Judge Leonard, and several other
prominent Republicans, were present. Gen.
Mcmillan and his associates urged upon the
Commission the necessity OF an early decision
by the President; every interest OF the State
and people demand it; if it is to be Mich oils
they desire to know the fact at once; if Pack.
ard is to be recognized, let it be done without
further delay. 9en. Mcmillan said that conf.
dence in the ultimate success OF the Nichols
government seemed to be hardening, citing
the improvement in State bonds, &c., and de
sertions from Packard's Legislature as sustain.
ing this view.
The members of the Nichols House
on the 18th, considered the adjustment pro
Iosals, which are that the present orgapiza.
tion Of the Legislature still remain intaet, tn,
roll to be called to be the same as that called
by clerk Trescevent ON the first day OF as
sembling Of the Nichols Legislature at q
Patrick's Hall, omitting the names Of seve,
members who have since been seated subject
to contest: The House roll will include 6:
Democrats and 81 Eepublicans, one Demo
cratic member having died. 1t is understood
that this arrangement is satisfactory t
; the Commission and to the conservatives