The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-18
The Louisiana Commission.

The Commission held nine hours
session, on the 9th, the time being occupied
in receiving and hearing delegations of clti-
zens. The President of the cotton exchange
with leading bankers and merchants called in
the interest OF the Nichols government. The
Commission said to them that they had sought
Louisiana, but could not find it. They found
two Governors, two Supreme Courts and an
alleged dual government in all departments,
but in tact by the acknowledgment Of all par
ties there is only one Legislature, though it
meets in two halls. The moment that Legis-
failure meets in one body it will be the State
of Louisiana, and while it is in session the
only power in the State that can secure the
Intervention Of the army. II selt-govern-
ment is desired, and the withdrawal of the
army, it can probably be secured in a day
should the public opinion OF the State COM
pei it's Legislature to meet as one body. There
are SO of the SO Senators, and 104 of the 120
Representatives, whose election is not dis
puted by either party, and the Commission
urged that when they assembled as such the
Commission could have nothing whateve. to
say about it's action. The discussion con-
tinued three hours. The delegation was not
inclined to accept the suggestion, maintaining
that Nichols must be defended as Governor
to the full extent.
The Commission appointed by Presi
dent Hayes continued to 'sreceive" at New
Orleans on the 10th. A delegation of thirty
colored 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 portion Of the
City Council next called. The Mayor stated
that the debt OF the city in 1874 was 1924, O0O,-
600 and that it was now e., 0o0, 900. Taxes in
1874 were tx per cent. and now TX cents on
the dollar. Other delegations from the city
and various parts Of the State also called and
the entire day was occupied by these con-
terences.
The Commission was occupied on
the 18th as on previous 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 18th were unimportant so lar as the
public were made aware, but 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 Enthusiastically re-
lates the result OF their conference with both
Nichols and Packard, the Judges OF tie re-
speotive 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 will maintain their ground in the
belief that ultimately, as in the Hampton
case OF South Carolina, they will have tul]
and unobstructed possession OF the Louis
lana State Government. The Packard party
are ready to enter into an arrangement for q