New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-26

NICHoLIs's AGENT IN WASN'T GTON Calls on THn
PRESIDENT TO EXPLAIN VARIOUS MATTERS.
| lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-MajOr Burke OF New
Orleans in Washington watching the progress OF
events in the interest OF Mr. Nichols, visited the Pesi-
dent this morning TO present TO him the memorial re-
Gently published signed by leading clerymen and bust
Of NewOreans giving their ideas OF the lato
election and or the present political situation He also
to the President paper prepared by Dr. Shelley OF
the Louisiana State University, distinguished stats
tcan the object Of which IL to show the Republican as
scrton that there 10000 colored voters In the
State OF Louisiana than white 10 be borne ont by tho
facts table printed in the Sherman report purports
show the number of colored and white voters In each
parish OF the State, as found by the Of 1875.
Major Burke and other Democrats OF the State deny that
the census OF 1875 showed the number OF qualified
voters the parishes 10 simply census OF all the
Inhabitants without distinction except az to race. The
table referred prepared by the Secretary OF the
State Republican Campaign Committee, and the
Democrats say that the number OF coored
voters in parish placed considerably higher than
It should while the number OF white voters is reduced
making the total number OF votes about correct.
During his call upon the President, Major Burke ex
planned the recent misunderstanding In Louisiana con-
corning the local officers ouacha Parish. An Asso-
ciated Press dispatch within day or two announced
that Gov. Packard had called the attention OF Gen.
Augur the fact that Conservative officials were being
inauciIated in that parish in violation OF the under
standing that matters should be allowed TO remain as
they existed until the entire Louisiana question Is set
tied Major Burke showed TO the President dispatches
which he had received from Mr. Nichols explaining THIS
matter. 1t that Immediately on his inauguration
and before the President issued any orders to Gen.
Augur directing him prevent change in the situar
tion Nichols issued commissions TO all the local officers
in the State whom the Democrats claimed 10 have
elected Among these the local officers Of Ouhcta
Parish These officials, receiving their commits slons
at the duties of the Ollie the former Re
publican officials making objection, ana no persons
holding commissions from Gov. Packard having pre-
scented themselves. "
President IL not understood tO desire any inter
ference but lie simply wishes that person. now holdng
office under either Government snail Lot lie turned out
by the other In order preserve the status quo III
louisiana all local officers III parishes where there are
the Packard and Nichols parties are 10
hold until the Louisiana question Is entirely settled
In those parishes where Democrats were elected ana
declared by the Returning Board, they Will as
the duties OF their Office while In those parishes
where the Returning Board declared Republican officials
be chosen, and which there are also persons bold
Ing commissions from Nichols neither party expected
possession. The old officers are To continue Tor
the present. Tie President evidently desires that dur
ing interval between his direction 20 Gen Augr 10
preserve the status quo and the final settlement 81 tho
Louisiana question: neither party shall gain any advan-
whatever.