The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-04-26

/ Aos SEentS y noturull DOdru, huO CiObue
it with these powers in regard to the
appointment of Presidential electors,
sincs the provisions of the State Consti.
tuition oa which they rely relate only TO
the election of members of the legisls-
ture, Of Governor and Lieutenant Gov
ernor. We quote the followings sentence
from one of these printed arguments:
Indeed, as to the Presidential electors,
this mode OF appointment is by the Con-
stitution of the United States left to the
discretion of the Legislature of the State;
therefore the General Assembly of
Louisiana might create any tribunal
and confde to it the appointment of
electors for President and Vice
President. Consequently 1t may properly
authorize such tribunal IN the case Of
the election of Presidential electors by
the people, TO count the votes and decide
and declare who were entitled to seats in
the electoral college. As matters stood
on our arrival here the legal title OF the
respective claimants to the governorship
depended on the question We have ststad.
There was no judicial tribunal scknowl-
edged TO be authoritative by both: parties
BY which it could be saved, for the rea-
sons already given. The only hope Of q
practical solution was by union of SO
many of the members of the rival legis-
latures as would make legislature with
constitutional quorum 10 both houses of
members whose title to seats is valid
unuer either view of the law. With
legislature of undisptued authority,
settlement of the other questions could, as
stated in the letter of instructions TO the
Commission from the Secretary
OF State, be gradually worked
ont by the prevalent authority,
which legislative power, when undis-
puted, is quite competent to exert in
composing the conflicts in Co o-ordlnste
branches of government. Within the
last three days, this first step in restor-
ing peace to the State has been accom-
plished in consequence OF the withdrawal
of members from the Packard TO the
Nichols legislature. The latter body has
now 81 Returning Board members In the
House and 32 Returning Board members
in the Senate. Sixty.one members con-
stitute constitutional quorum In the
House and l9 IN the Senate. 1t is proper
that we should say in conclusion that it
was in view of the foregoing
facts, especially the consolidation
Of the legislatures, and our knowl.
edge of the condition Of Louisiana,
derived from personal contact with the
people, that we were induced to suggest,
in our telegram of the 10Th lnst., that
the immediate announcement Of the time
when the troops would be withdrawn
would.be better for the peace OF Louisi-
ana thar to postpoL e such announcement
to some distant day. The Commission
ers, holding various shades OF political
belief, cannot well concur IN any sketch
of the probable future OF Louisiana.
We have foreborhe, in this report, to
express any opinion on the legal
question arising on the foregoing state.
ment OF facis, because our letter of
instructions seemed to call for state
ment of facts rather than an expression
of opinion of the Commission. We all,
however, indulge in confident hopes of
better days for all races in Louisiana.
Among the reasons for these hopes are
the resolutions OF the Nichols LegIsla-
ture and the letter OF Governor Nichols
herewith submitted, and which has
already been given to the public, with |
An earnest hope that the adjustment
which has been made of the political
controversies of Louisiana, will be OF |
lasting benefit - that State and will be
approved by the people o. all sections
We have the honor to be your obedlent
servants,
CHAs b. LAWRENCE,
JosEPH r. HAwLEY,
JoHN l.. HARLAN,
j. y. BROWN.
WAYNE MACVEIGH.