The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-04-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
At length the President has succeeded
in securing the men who are to investi-
gate and report upon the unqualiiedly
mixed affairs of Louisiana. For nearly
six wears this State has been in con-
dition of turmoil that has had most
harassing effect on the whole country.
1t is to be sincerely trusted that satis-
factory issue will be reached, for this
commission appears to be generally re-
garded as composed of a fair-minded
and Just, rather than strong or impos-
ing body of men, whose sympathy is
strongly with the progressive policy of
the President, and who will echo his
views and carry out his purpose. Yet
the chief question now debated by those
on the anxious seat is "whether the
commission will be three to two or four
to one," as Mr.. Lawrence is said to be
not a Democrat but an Independent.
The only Democrat is Ex-Governor
Brown, and yet he is an old-live whig.
Mr.. McVeigh, the brilliant Pennsylvania
lawyer, and Hawley's records are clearly
Republican, though the latter opposed
the "Force Bill" while in Congress at a
! time when it was rather unpopular to
do so. Ex-Governor Harlan was allied
with the Independent Bristow element of
Republicanism. These five umpires who
are to leave Washington on Monday
have received the following instructions:
They are to consolidate the rival legis-
latures and recanvass the returns for
Governor and Lieutenant Governor /;
this being done, they are to report at as
early a date as possible. Should their
decision not accord with the views of
the majority in the House, in all prob
ability the army appropriations will
not be made, thus leading to complica-
tions equally undesired by all. Nearly
every one wishes a speedy adjustment
of Southern affairs, although peace at
the South would destroy the whole po-
Iitical capital of the extreme men of
both parties at the North and at the
South.
HAMPTON.
The adventof Governor Hampton has
been something of an ovation. On ar
irving at Willards, he and his friends
were received by Senator Gordon, while
early in the morning the lobbies of the
hotel were crowded with persons anx-
ious to see the distinguished Governor
and shake him by the hand. At an
early informal reception held in the
morning, about three hundred persons
paid their respects and went away re-
marking that he looked "every inch a
man" and ought to be recognized. He
is splendid specimen of the Southern
gentleman, tall, graceful, and courteous,
with large, brown, deep, set eyes, and
full-howing beard, a la Burnside, being
specially easy in conversation and GER
tain to captivate all who come within
the range of his influence. A delega-
tion from Maryland waited on him,
making special request that on his re-
turn he would visit Baltimore and be
entertained by her citizens. He spent
several hours yesterday with the Presi'
f dent, and lunch hour arriving before
the conclusion of the conference, he ae'
cepted the invitation to partake and es
cort Mrs. Hayes to the table, where the
situation was discussed generally; sh'
joining in as was her duty, since she il
Prime Minister in all the White House
affairs. While Governor Hampton ha
not secured his ultimatum, the with
drawal of the troops from the Stat
House and the leaving of the State po
litical machinery untrammeled by Fed
p eral troops, excepting for preservation
, of peace, yet he expresses pleasure a
q the treatment he has received, and ther
B is every reason to hope that this visi
y will terminate the troublous times Il
. the Palmetto State