The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-29


willingness of citizens of national reputation
to serve in this capacity is easily explained.
Every prominent, active democrat and every
prominent, active republican had already
made up his mind and expressed his Judg-
| ment on the merits of tho Louisiana con-
troversy. Pronounced democrats would
see nothing but the case OF Nichols !;
pronounced republicans would share more
| or less the view SO strongly put by
| Senator Blaine that to question the title OF
Packard was equivalent to impeaching the
title of President Hayes. Statesmen OF
neither party could afford to impair their
party standing by serving on commission
where any yielding would damage their
political prospects, and where stiff asser-
ton of their personal views would be incon-
sistent with the object for which the COM
mission was appointed. Had President
| HAYES taken the full measure of these diff
culties before he decided to have commits
sion it may be doubted whether
he would have thought commission
expedient. It was his original in
tention and expectation that the Vice Presi-
dent would be the head and soul of the
Louisiana Commission. When Mr.. Hayes
came to Washington to be inaugurated his
mind was full of this idea, and he accord
ingly courted and petted Mr.. Wheeler as no
other Vice President has been courted and
petted since the organization of the govern
ment. 1t was given out that Vice President
Wheeler was to be one of the Presidents
nj Of
member of the Cabinet. This dexterous
fattery did not capture Mr.. Wheeler.
He declined on courteous pretexts to
be q member of the commission. He is a
shrewd politician, and we think he declined
wisely. Had he accepted he would have
overshadowed all the other members and
have been held responsible for whatever the
commission might decide or advise. We
think he wisely declined responsibility
from which he had nothing to gain, and
which might have embroiled him with his
own political party Mr.. Wheelers refusal
to serve was embarrassing 70 the President.
who afterward sent his invitations a-begging,
and has not succeeded in organizing such
commission as he would have preferred It
was an additional obstacle to the Presi-
dents plan that his commission must
serve at its own expense. There is no fund
or appropriation from which its members can
be paid. and for voluntary service of this
kind they would naturally expect some COM
pensation in honor for their pecuniary sacri-
fee But what honor can either republicans
or democrats gain in service which would
compromise their standing in their respec-
tive parties? The President had, therefore,
to send positions on this commission
a-begging Under the circumstances he
is fortunate in securing SO good
a commission as he has actually
appointed. 1t is by no means a strong and
imposing body Of men. 1t is perhaps all
the better on this account, because its men,
bors will be more pliable to the known
views and wishes Of the President
The Louisiana Commission, as announced,
consists of the following gentlemen:-Judge
Charles b. Lawrence, Of Illinois; Ex-Governor
]. G. Brown, of Tennessee; General Joseph
r. Hawley, of Connecticut; General John
M. Harlan, of Kentucky; Mr.. Wayne Nc
Weigh, of Pennsylvania. In the whole list
there is but one man who has been
conspicuous in our recent politics
Ex-Governor Hawley is we'll known and has
an excellent reputation for moderation,
good sense and fairness The others,
though good enough men, are of no account
in national politics. Mr. Brown was the
whig Governor Of Tennessee from 1841 to
1s43 Mr. Mcveigh is son-in-law of ex-
Senator Cameron, but politician of an
entirely different type. General Harlan is
a law partner of ex-Secretary Bristow, whose
views he may be supposed to share
Judge Lawrence is Quite unknown out
side of his own State. We never
theless think that the composition of
the commission is fortunate. It consists,
in the main, Of men who derive all their
importance from their selection for this
duty, and who will aim to satisfy the wishes
of the President. Opinionated men might
have caused him embarrassment; but the
President has every reason to expect that
the actual commission as he has composed
it will echo his own views and carry out
his purposes If he is sure Of his own
mind there is no danger that such COM
mission as he has appointed will thwart
him.
We do not change our opinion that the
idea of this commission is at best harmless
whimsey. Under no circumstances could it
do any good, but its negative composition
encourages the belief that it can do no
harm. The really controlling consideration
in relation to Louisiana is the loss of the
Army Appropriation bill, which necessitates
an extra session of Congress. If the
President should recognize Packard the
call of the extra session will be
vain In the new Congress the dem
oc.ats will still control the House, and