Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-23
HAYES AND LOUISIANA.

commission to visit the former
State and report upon the state OF
affairs. This is Sinking a respoasl-
bility, it seems to us. The mode
proposed is not likely to give salts
faction. Strangely enough it Is
announced in advance that ex-Gov.
John G. Brown is to be a member
of the commission. Gov. Brown
is an able man and a shrewd politi
clan. AS vice-president of the
Texas and Pacific railroad it will
be to his interest to conciliate the
Republican party with a view to
securing government aid for
this great Southern and ma
tienal enterprise. His appoint
ment is quite acceptable, but
does not argue that the COM
mission as a whole viii be guided
by views not in the interest of the
administration and the Republican
party. Grant sent a number of
men to New Orleans once to inyesti-
gate and report upon the state Of
affairs. The Republicans when
they got there discovered that the
returning board had things set to
count in Hayes. and declined to
investigate except as partisans. Ten
thousand Democratic votes were
thrown out and Mr.. Hayes became
President. 1t is not likely that he
OF any agency which be may create
viii throw discredit on the means
by which be was elevated to the
Presidency. The most that can be
expected Is that the commission
will recommend the holding Of
a new election. Should this
be done there would be no
more likelihood Of a fair election
than before. The same Infamous
returning board is in existence and
the Republican party North would
throw both men and money into
the State to carry it for Packard.
The value Of a single State to the
party became so apparent in the
late contest that the Republic
cans will not forget their narrow
escape or yield an inch of ground
within the next four years if they
can help it. The premature an
nouucement of Governor Browns
appointment will not have the ef-
feet evidently intended of satisfy
ing the Southern mind. Mr.. Hayes
has lost his opportunity, and We
fear has fallen under the influence
Of old party leaders. lie may mean
well enough personally, but having
hesitated in.the plain line of duty,
we fear will soon be as much the
tool Of his party as ever Grant was
lie has reconsidered the fair prom
Uses he made, and, under the advic,
of the cabinet, determined to keel
the troops in Louisiana until ;
commission goes down and re
ports. The country has ha,
enough of commissions and sue
political motives. The very nam
of commission suggests the cut an,
dried game of s to Z, whereby
minority candidate for Presiden
was declared elected. Men VIII
accept a place on the commissio
will know before hand what kin
of q report is desired, and will b
sure to make one which shall b
agreeable to the cabinet. Have
seems to have been almost persuaC
ed to do right, but to have yielde
to the buster Of Packard, who r,
fuses to keep the peace. This CON
mission will have no authority, an
can learn no more about the stu;
ton than is already known. In I'll
latter part of Grants administer
ton he maintained strict neutralit
as between the Packard and Mel
oils governments, leaving the r,
sponsibility Of a decision for h.
successor, who shirks it and cal.
into existence a commission, a pieC
Of political machinery which hi
become popular with the leaders
his party, but r%epugnant to IL
masses of the American peopl
We are glad to know that the pc