The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-04-17
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STATE OF LoUIsIANA, !
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMEHT,
NEw ORLEAHs, April l6, TT.

| NkH OhLkAnsy 0fAh Az 80
To Prssidsnt Hayes, Warrington, d. C.!
SHIT is evident that the Commis
sion sent here by you, instructed among
other points TO secure the removal OF the
obstacles 10 the acknowledgement Of one
government, and failing in that to &C
complish the recognition Of 8 single
Legislature As depository Of ths repre-
sentative will OF the people of Louisiana,
will fail to effect either of these results.
The frst proposition can be at
tanned only by the abandonment
of one or the other of the claimants
to tho gube1natoral chair; and second,
provided the involving uniAcstion OF the
two bodies, each now claiming to be the
Legislature of the State of Louisiana is
possible, the plan suggested by the Com
mission that one hundred and four men,
bers of the lower house and thirty-three
of the Senate, whose election is not dis
puted, should be brought together in one
body and that the General Assembly 80
constituted pass upon the qualification Of
I the contested members, and thus reor-
ganized should compose the conflicts in
| the coordinate branches OF the govern
ment, was acceptible to the Republicans,
but it is said 10 have been rejected by
the Democrats. This plan was un-
derstood to smsnste from the President
and to embody bis ideas of what was
just and equitable. The Republicans
nave indicated q Willingness to accede
to the organization of the legislature on
this basis in deterepce to the Presidents
wishes, even though In SO doing
they should waive undoubted legal
rights. 1t Is presumed that from the
Presidents stand point that any other
legislature statement would work inJus.
tce to one or the other Of the contending
parties, and it is not believed that the
administration would sanction injustice.
The Republicans we're willing to submit
the claims of their state government to
legislature thus constituted. 1t is clearly
indicated that Gen. Nichols and his sd.
herents have rejected this proposition,
mainly becruse OF their fixed belief in the
truth of the statement repeatedly made
tha. the Foster Matthews agreement
is eventually in some way to
give the government of louisiana
TO the Democrats. If this belief was
removed from their minds, perhaps they
would not be 30 defiant, and would &C.
cept the adjustment you offer. The re-
ported purpose Of the administration to
carry out the suggestions of Messrs. Fos-
ter and Matthews by the withdrawal of
United States troops is standing men
ace to the Republicans OF Louisiana, and
encourages the Democracy to emulate
the arrogant policy of General Hampton
in South Carolina. / have received no
reply to my letter of the 9th inst,
requesting that the Instructions of the
Commission should be so amended
and enlarged rs to enable them to in.
quire and report which of the contend.
ing governments ia legally entitled to
recognition, whether legal Supreme
Court exists and who compose 1t, and
whether there is an armed insurrection
against the lawful government. i there
tore most respectfully renew that the re.
quest in view of the rejection by my
political opponents OF the reasonable
proposition above referred to made
by the President through the
Commission. Your excellency can
not tail to perceive that in thus express
ing my Willingness to submit my claims
to commission appointed without sollcl-
tstion on my part, or without either my
self or any of my friends having any
voice in its selection, it at least manitests
confidence In the Justice of my claims.
Under present instructions, the Com
mission is charged with the investigation
OF matters not essential. Why should
the instructions be withheld which would
enable them to report upon the matters
essential to the ascertsinment OF the le-
gslity of one or tho other government
claiming recognition from the President,
one OF which must be entitled thereto
under the provisions of tho Conststutlon
of the country. The Commission thus
far, in its relations to the Republican
party, has only suggested the methods
which directly teud to an abandonment
of the contest irrespective OF right or
justice. | respectfully submit that
the questions at issue ia Louisiana are
Lot TO be settled by mere eypedients.
i ne ClalDS OI luulNiUuhio W OlASo oio VI
little consequence when weighed against
right and the liberties OF majority OF
the people. Ifs lawful government In
Louisiana can be overthrown by domestic
violence, with the consent of the Federal
government, originally called into exist
ence for the express purpose,
among other thing, OF pre-
venting such occurrences, what
State in the Union may not hereafter be
subject to similar resolutions? Are the
American people willing to see this pre-
cedent established? Earnestly request
ing your immediate action on the facts
presented, have the honor TO be, very
respectfully, your obedient servant.
lSigued ). b. PACKARD,
GorernOr.
Surrender OF Hostile Indians.
CHEYENNE, Wy, April l6.-About