The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-04-19
The LOuisiana Commission.

The Louisiana Commission, COM
posed of Messrs. Lawrence, Brown, Hawley,
Harlan and MacVeigh held their first meet
inr at New Orleans on the 9th. Judge Law
renee was chosen chairman and Gen. Hawtey
Secretary. Informal calls were mady by the
Commission upon Packard and Nichols and
the question of uniting the two legislatures
was discussed. but no real business was trans
acted.
The Louisiana Commission met
Joint committee from the Nichols Legislature
on the TIN, but the conference was secret
The committee made detailed verbal state
rhent of status OF the government, giving
number Of parishes and officials that had
acknowledged allegiance to the Nichols gov
eminent, and will, at q future interview, pre-
sent documentary facts. When the Demo-
cratic committee retired Packard's Supreme
Cont judges were admitted to the parlor and
begun their argument as to the status OF their
case. At three o'clock District Judges Marks,
Cole and Hunter, for the 4th, 9th ana Stn
Judicial Districts OF the State, each elected on
the Republican ticket, had long interview
with the Commission, and emphatically de-
clared the sentiment Of their districts to be in
favor of the Packard government. These
three districts embrace eleven parishes, with
total population OF 1901 94. An exciting in
terlude in the interview was the cross-examl-
nation OF Judge R. A. Hunter, who was asked
"Who did you vote tori" "For Governor
Nichols" "Who did you vote tor tor Presi.
dent?" "Tilden." "How long have yor
been a Democrat Gall my lie; / wa:
, born q Democrat right in this State, and ex-
pect to die Democrat" "Why do you nov
desert the Democratic party and support MIR
Packard?" "Because the Democratic part.
has lett me and does not protect the rights
citizens, but advocates murder, and do no
approve of murder, and because l believ
Packard was sauarely elected, and majorit
e of white people OF my district. Rapides
q Grant and Vernon parishes prefer him to
Governor"
: The Commission held nine hour
session, on the 9th, the time being occuple
in receiving and hearing delegations OF Cit
zens. The President OF the cotton exchane
with leading bankers and merchants called
the interest of the Nichols government. II
Commission said to them that they had sougl
Louisiana. but could not find it. They foun
two Governors, two Supreme Courts and
alleged dual government in all department
N but in fact by the acknowledgment OF all pa
ties there is only one Legislature, though
IN meets in TIVE halls. The moment that Legi
lature meets in one body it will be the Sta
OF Louisiana, and while it is in session Il
40 only power in the State that can secure q
u Intervention of the army. II self-gover
ment is desired, and the withdrawal OF Il
to army, it can probably be secured in da
ng should the public opinion Of the State COZ
pei its Legislature to meet IS one body. The
Ii. are 50 Of the 36 Senators, and 104 OF the !
he Representatives, whose election is not q
nd puted by either party, and the Commissl
urged that when they assembled Is such t
fe Commission could have nothing whatever
-. say about its action. The discussion &C
=. tinued three hours. The delegation was
inclined to accept the suggestion, maintaim
that Nichols must be defended as Govern
'co to the full extent.
mo The Commission appointed by Pre-
'eai dent Hayes continued to "receive" at
Orleans on the 10Th A delegation OF thu
las colored men first called and argued in bel
hat of Packard, claiming that his title to be u
Eels ernor WAS the same - that Of Hayes TO
Presidency. The Mayor and portion Of
ire City Council next called The Mayor 81
! IN that the debt Of the city in 1874 vas ~ @
J i 0oN, and that il was new 81, eoo,OoO. n
nd. n 1874 were * per cent. and now TX g
on On The dollsr. OtA9 dsleQfaons nom
~ city ard various parts q Tie 6eaas also 81