New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-18
THE STATUS QUO.

THE STATUS QUO.
Yesterday was one of speculation and
surmise. 1t was understood things are to
remain in status quo, an expression inter
preted by many parties to their own salts
faction or interest, while others acknowl-
edged their inability to grapple with the
question.
1t is manifest that we have, and have
had for few days, dual government, or
two governments, part of each in the
exercise of power and part not.
1t is the determination of the executive
to delay the recognition of either till more
fully advised, but on the present condition
of the case, if there is necessity to re-
cognize either, it must be Packard.
A part of each government is in pos
session and the status quo is to be main
tanned. This means that if particular
Office or location is necessary for the trans
action of public business, the incumbent
is not to be disturbed until further orders,
and an Office may mean either the function
or place of exercising it.
For instance, the Recorder of Mort
cages can not exercise his functions apart
from his records, and he shall stay there,
however illegally he may have obtained
possession.
The Supreme Court is recognized in the
Presidents telegram as an exception, its
e,Dnt;or baipo 0F ca b;0b q ;,,d;o;a1 NO
ture as not to be governed by q mere
clerical matter like the keeping of records.
Hence be intimates that the gentlemen
sitting as such by virtue of having seized
the records and place, personally or by
the White League, do not thereby become
the Supreme Court, even with Nichols
commission, any more than if they had
been called there by an informal meeting
of few members of the bar.
Maintaining the status quo, then, means
that pending the decision neither party
shall violate the situation nor aggrandize
itself by changes. And this leads us in
ascertaining or defining what it does mean
W COAsidoA AI6t WAdG ~ uOes hOtJ as q
method of reaching correct conclusion.
First-lt does not mean that Packard
shall stand still, and Nichols shall go on
commissioning and filing offices and
superseding incumbents.
It does not mean that there can be two
auditing Offices, or two treasures; nor
that any but the present incumbents in
charge of the offices and records can be
recognized as such, till decision at
Washington, nor that there is to be any
capturing of their Offices in the meantime.
1t does not mean that the State tax
collectors of the parish of Orleans shall
be superseded by seizure, capture or re-
moval until such solution of the question
of recognition be obtained nor that the
taxes or peoples money shall be seized,
collected, or handled by any new or pre-.
tended officers Of the Nichols govern.
ment; or accounted for or turned over to
any but the regular Auditor and Treasurer.
It does not mean that the oficious reso.
luton of the partisan city Administrators
relative to the police tax, which was
passed before the time of the Secretary Of
Wars telegram (say 6 P. NJ. Tuesday,,
could or can be perfected after that time,
or become an ordinance by the Mayors
approval without a violation of the status
quo. The people paid those taxes for the
real Metropolitan Police, who have served
for years and borne the heat and labor o.
the day, and the Mayor can not now
change the destination of their fund.
It does not mean that the public schools
can be seized, nor new officers installed
nor present teachers (who have just beer
elected for one year, discharged or placed
under a new regime; nor their funds OF
taxes controlled except according to law
until it be decided at Washington tina
the Nichols government is to be recog
nized. It does not mean that public in
stitutions generally shall be placed unde
new administration. 1t does not meal
that the insane asylum shall be occupied
or administered otherwise than as a
present until the national administration
shall consider it fit asylum or house o
refuge for the hot headed and hasty Dem
ocratic office-seekers of Louisiana.