The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1877-07-13

Louisiana or elsewhere. The solid and
lawful basis OF that title Is the decision
made and concluded by the American
congress upon the returns In its posses
sion. Whether that decision was or was
not made according to the facts. there
! earth to inquire. It was the decision of
the supreme, ultimate, and conclusive
power OF the constitution. So far as
concerns the president, or the validity
OF his title, 1t was the end OF the matter.
Philadelphia Record
The indictment of Wells. Anderson
etal., OF the Louisiana Returning Board.
is said to have caused considerable
anxiety in Washington, and complaint
Is made that the Indictment of these
men proves breach Of contract on the
part OF Gov. Nichols. We pity Presi-
dent Hayes IL his good name and his
right to hold the place which he occu-
pies and which he has thus far filled
with credit to himself and benefit to the
country depend upon the carrying out
OF any such q contract or bargain as ID
said to have been entered into between
certain friends of his and Gov. Nichols.
to the effect that the latter should ba
recognized and supported by the Admin
| istration as Governor OF Louisiana. ana
that he should In eturn prevent the legal
prosecution OF Wells, Anderson and the
two other members OF the Returning
Board: II such an understanding was
had between these, parties the fact
Hayes and Nichols, and all the
facts Of the Infamous matter
should be exposed to the world.
Probably the prosecution OF the mem
bers OF the board will bring out the
whole truth. and it Is this probability
that seems to be agitating certain off
cial bosoms at the national capital. If
the Indictment OF Wells Il Go. has
caused anxiety at the White House, the
fact Is suspicious; but such may not be
the case, though number of Washing
ton correspondents agree in saying that
the Presidential breast is much
troubled in connection with the pend
ing prosecution Of these men.
LII Matthews and Sherman we're par
ties to the alleged infamous contract.
they ought to be prosecuted and con-
victed. IT thus guilty, they are no less
cuipable than the rascally members of
the Returning Board. IL guilty at all.
they are all great criminals before the
law. Such bargaining and bartering
away the rights OF the people Is the
worst sort OF treason, and should be ex-
posed and punished to the fullest extent
Of the law. II Hayes was counted in by
Wells and his confederates in office.
Sherman and Matthews may be-
regarded as privy to the crime
and as sanctioners, II not pro-
promoters Of it, and that they should
promise protection to the members of
the board and promise to have Nichols
recognized as Governor, IL he would
pledge himself to protect these men,
was only natural and necessary to the
completion OF the work; and it ig
equally natural and necessary to COM
plete success that the prosecution of
Wells & Go. should be stopped. But
how can 1t be !? Nichols has no power,
even II he has the inclination, to pre-
vent this prosecution nor in any way to
interfere with the judicial authorities.
Unquestionably nine-tenths of the peo-
pie OF any consequence or respectabilty
IN Louisiana~the people who supported
Of the Returning 'A' Board. 0"esld and
Gov. Nichols would find himself in very
hot water should he make any attempt
to interrupt the course Of justice in this
matter. We have no doubt that these
men will be tried in spite OF all objec-
tions and opposition from Washington:
and, IL they be found guilty, they will be
properly punished unless Gov. Nichols
oLc"aA Rblach buI, uo ulutbDL
whether they be sent to prison or not,
il the testimony against them is strong
enough to convict them, 1t will be
strong enough to condemn somebody
else, and Messrs. Sherman and Mat
thews, who went to New Orleans to en-
courage, aid and abet these men may
find that their enterprise was not
paying one, although 1t did
make one Of them Secretary of the
Treasury and the other q Senator in
Congress. We are not astonished that
this unexpected turn in the Louisiana
matter causes trouble in Washington,
but we shall be surprised IL Gov. Mich
oils proves able, even IL he is willing, to
arrest the prosecution of Wells. Ander-
son q Go. And we may add that we
shall be somewhat surprised IL these
Worthies are not convicted, and their
aiders and abettors branded accord
ingly Indeed, these may be also tried
and convicted by q Louisiana court as
ing conspired with Wells and the
others to defraud the people, these
dignitaries ought to share the fate Of
Wells, Anderson, and the other two
members OF the rascally Returning
Board.
IN. Y. Tribune.l
The Bourbons in New Orleans are In
bitter earnest. and there are indications
that they will go ON from one extray-
agance to fanother In their political
crusade until they have ruined their
party and shocked the common sense
of the nation. II it Is true that they
purpose instituting proceedings against
Washington politicians for their sup
posed share In supposed fraudulent
OF the vote, they will de-
prive themselves OF the countenance OF
all moderate and reasonable men, and
Kenner and Casanave to the proud rank
Of sufferers for opinions sake. Con-
sidered merely as a party move, their
action Is a stupendous mistake. It re-
mains to be seen whether the Dem
ocratic party, with its usual fatuity, will
hasten to embrace the blunder.
Perhaps none OF us would have felt
much like complaing II the Legislature
oil Louisiana had merely tIlrned WelIa