National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-18
MR.. SOUTHARD.


government in the State. In this case, however
the papers affect the election Of the President Of
the United States, and is q national matter, aud
very evidence Of the election of President might
be also destroyed. He wanted also to call atten
tion to the fact that the authorities Of the State
ing these papers that they had heretofore given
up papers to Congressional committee and they
had been lost, and they do not wish to put othel
pers may be lost By accident Or be destroyed By
design, and thus the very election Of the Presi
dent might be imperiled. ...s s- 60. T,
He did not want to be understood az saying
that Q committee would destroy them, but the
manifestations of applause In the galleries, and
shows to what length partisanship may carry
people in this matter. The ground given IN the
report for calling for these papers is that public
count Of the electoral vote in Louisiana. Where
does that public rumor come 'FRONT.' Why, from
the people, and from that side Of the House who
iteration Of these papers. Louisiana should never
surrender these papers except in obedience to
overwhsiming force. The House has NO right to
Constitution to compel the surrender Of these doc
uments; o. e In any way get control ofthem.
tion here was Whsthsn the House had the ppWer
to enforce the production Of papers called for BY
Committee Of investigation authorized by the
tion-as to the power Of Congress or Of this House
to inquire into the conduct Of State officers. When
gentlemen argue solely that the States have
rights which Congress must respect they:are
simply begging the question. The real question
IL: Has this House the power to order o committee
to investigate affairs In louisiana If 1t has that
power, then the committee IL authorized has the
power to complete and effectuate that investiga-
ton. He argued that the House had this power;
and could also inquire whether the Presidential
electors had been legally chosen. If Congress
has the power, as 1t has, to declare how electors
shall be chosen 1t has also the power to inquire If
the electors were chosen according to law.
The constitution of Louisiana says that the
people Of that State shall elect the Presidential
electors, and IL 1t has been charged the Returning
Board has elected the electors, then II is proper
to show whether this IL o fact. 1t has also been
charged hat the Returning Board had tempered
with the returns and the committee certainly
has right to inquire into that matter; and the
papers must be examined in order that the truth
Of the charges may be ascertained.. Ii forgery is
charged, the original papers must be produced to
ascertain whether there has been such forgery.
1t Is claimed on the other side, that the members
Of this board are State officers, and that 1t is in
consistent with the theory Of State rights to de-
mand the papers from them. But he commended
that there was no Inconsistency with State
rights in the making OF this demand.
III 10 proper for the committee 10 pr )ceed un-
der the Constitution Of the United States, then
ths constitution Of the State of Louisiana cannot
interfere. These officers must therefore appoar
In answer to the subpoena. They say that these
papers are public records. If so, then they must
be produced. Ifthey were State secrets It would
be another matter, but it is not pretended thst