The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-04-17
ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT.
TO THE DAILY LNTELLIGENCER
s:--, :--.---- ---- ---
LOUISIANA AFFAIRS.
Gov. Packard TO President Hayes.
HIS VIEWS OF THE SITUATION.
The Supposed Foster Matthews
Compact the True Source of
Difficulty in Louisiana.
Its Tendency is Toward BncOm-
promising Arrogance.
Packard Willing to Abide by Result
Of tho Presidents Plans.
Probable Adoption of the Prssi-
dents Plan.
Its Tendency is Toward uncOm.
promising Arrogance.
Packard Willing to Abide by Result
Of tho Presidents Plans.
Probable Adoption of the Prssi
dents Plan.
STATE OF LOUISIANA,
EXECUTIVE DErARTMENT,
NEw ORLEANS. ApIil II. 1877.

"" V"N"'i 'P'' 80 iS'''
70 Reiicn, Hayes, Washington, D. c.!
Sm-It is evident that the Commission
sent here by you, instructed among other
points Ia secure removal OF the obstu.
cles to an acknowledgement Of one gov
ernment, and, failing IN this, to accom-.
plish the recognition Of single Lcgisla.
ture as depository Of the representa-.
tive will OF the people Of Louisiana, will
fail to effect either OF these results. The
first proposition can be attained only by
an abandonment OF one or the other Of
the claimants TO the gubernatorial chair,
and the second proposition, involving
the unilication OF the two bodies, each
now claiming to be the Legislature OF the
State Of Louisiana, is possible. The
plan suggested by the Commission, that
one hundred and four members OF the
lower house and thirty.three Of the Senate,
whose election ia not disputed,
should be brought together in one body,
and that the General Assembly thus con.
stltuled, should pass upon the qualilica.
ton Of the contested members, and thus
reorgani1ed, should compose the conflicts
in the coordinate branches OF the Gov.
ernmcnt, was acceptable to the Rcpubli.
cans, but it is said to have been rejected
by the Democrats. This plan was un.
derstood to emanate from the President
and TO embody his ideas OF what was Just
and equitable. The Republicans have
indicated willingness to aCcede to the
organization OF the legislature on this
basis in difference 10 the Presidents
wishes, even though in SO doing they
should waive undonbted legal rights. IL
is presumed that from the Presidents
stand point, that any other legislative
settlement would work injustice to one
or the other parties, and it is not
believed that the administration would
sanction the injustice. The Republicans
were willing 10 submit the claims OF their
State government TO legislature thus
constituted. 1t is clearly indicated that
Gen. Nichols and his adhcrcnls have re.
jected this proposition mainly because Of
their fixed belief in the truth OF the
statement repeatedly made that the
Foster-Matthews agreementise eventually,
in some way, to give the government Of
Louisiana 10 the Democrats. II this he.
lief were removed from their minds per.
haps they would not be 80 defiant, and
would accept the adjustment you offer.
The reported purpose OF the administra.
tion 10 carry ont the suggestions OF Foster
and Matthews by the withdrawal
of the United States troops is !
u standing menanCe to the Republicans
in Louisiana and encourages the Democ-
racy to emulate the arrogant policy Of
Gen. Hampton in South Carolina. l have
received no reply to my letter OF the 9th
inst, requesting that the instructions OF
the Commission should be- so amended and
enlarged as to enable them 10 inquire and
report which OF the COntending govern.
mentS is legally entitled to recognition,
whether n legal Supreme Court exists,
and who compose it, and whether there is
an armed insurrection against the law
ful government. l therefore most re-
specttully renew that request in view of
rejection, by my political oponents, OF
the reasonable proposition above referred
to, made by the President through the
commission. Your ExcellenCy can not
fail TO perceive that in thus expressing
my willingness to submit my claims to
commission appointed without solicita-
tion on my part, or without either my
self or any Of my friends having any
voice in It's selection, it at least maniiests
confidence in the justice Of my claims.
Under present instructions, the commits.
sion is charged with the investigation OF |
matters not essential. Why should in
structions be withheld which would ena-
BILE them TO report upon matters essential
to the asccrtainment Of the legality Of
one or the other government claiming
recognition from the President, one OF |
which must be entitled thereto under the |
provisions Of the constitution OF the
country? The commission thus far in
its relations to the Republican party has |
only suggested methods which tend to the |
abandonment Of the contest, irrespective |
OF right or justice. respectfully submit
that the questions at issue in Louisiana
cannot be disposed OF by mere expedi-
dents. Tie claims Of individuals to office |
are OF little consequence when weighed |
against the rights and liberties Of a ma.
jority Of the people. Il lawful gov.
ernment in Louisiana can be overthrOwn
by domestic violence with the consent Of |
the Federal Government, originally called |
into existence for the express purpose,
among others, Of preventing such occur.
rences, what State in the Union may
not hereafter be subject to similar rela.
tions? Are the American people willing
to zee this precedent established?
Earnestly requesting your Immediate
action on the facts presented, l have the
honor TO be, very respectfully, your ODE.
dient servant,
(signef S. B. PACKARD,
Governor