New-York tribune., 1877-03-12
STANLEY MATTHEW'S AND THE SOUTH.

HIS VIEWS on THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT IN
REFERENCE TO THE DISPUTED STATE GOVERN
MENTs-HIs PLAN OF SETTLEMENT.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March l1.-In a friendly
conversation with gentleman iu this city In reference
affairs in South Carolina and louisiana Mr.. Matthews
expressed his views regarding the political situation Of
those States and the remedy for existing evils substan-
italy follows On the question OF recognizing
the other Of the opposing governments I'm South Carolina
and Louisiana the proper State government he says
that the National Administration has the Constitutional
right choose which it will recognize and the fact
that Of them originated in and is sustained by
mob force, does not in the least effect this right OF
choice by the National Administration The National
Government may recognize the one which may
be called the mob party, II said mob party
is actually strong enough TO maintain itself and establish
state Government. The fact that the Packard Govern
men was the legitimate Government under the forms Of
law makes difference, if the Administration chooses
to recognize the Nichols Government which ORIGINATED
ia mob force, and which is still sustained by
mob force Tie main thing requisite being strength sur
fcient TO maintain q Government. This idea he
illustrated by supposlng that dissatisfaction with
the State Government OF Ohio should arise,
and should crow into such formidable proportions that
il should drive out and keep out the existing State Gov
ernment, the National Government wond not
cept TO prevent actual blOodsheddng, and the National
Government might recognize the new Government
ttuar regularly constituted state authorities. Col
Matthews did not say he favored the recognition Of either
Nichols or Hampton, but conveyed the impression u
the fact of the constitutional right the National Govern
ment has recognize whenever II chooses II tie two
cOntcnding State Governments.
Hc said he wrote the letter to Gov Chamberlain at the
solicitation of Gen. Gordon and Mr. HASKELL Chairman
Of the South Carolina Democratic State Committee. They
came to him TO ask him 10 inercede with
President Hayes to have the troops withdrawn
from South Ca DINA. Instead OF complying with
their request, he unOldcd TO them what he considered
the more desirable way to go about the settlement of the
Chamberlain had better make overtures 10 Hamp-
ton of q compromise, If lie Chamber
lain) should thereby have to sacrifice
OF his legal rights for the sake OF public peace
Messrs Gordon and Haskell then asked Mr.. Matthews
il would write q letter for them to carry to Cham
beraln embOdying the plan Of his, which request he
complied with. 8Ir. Matthews did not intimate
but said he had only heard President Hayes say he
favored commission Of eminent public men, WHO should
20 accept5y to these states, and try 10 get the conflict
ing claimants 70 the GOyernorship Ia agree
TO plan of settlement, so that a State Goyernment
might be established according to an agreed
basis of settement-fOr instance, something
similar ~ the the question O1
Presidency finally settled Col. Matthews suggested
that II commission, thus going 10 the disturbed
states could induce the righfu holders Of seats 10
Nchols's lie sature to join with the rghtul holders 0r
i'll Packards Legislature they would then have
1rIOrum OF ughtful members in both branches OF tue
legislature wnch could pro eed 10 count the y0es FOR
Governor and determine which one was elected Tic sys
the Returning Board of Louisiana have no llgbt or
authority and declare the vote OF that state Ior
members OF the Legislature.