New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-10
PLNCHBACR RESIGNS.
HE SENDS LETTER TO GOVERNOR NICHOLS, AND
COMPLAINS OF THE SENATE.

HE SENDS LETTER TO GOVERNOR NICHOLS, AND
COMPLAINS OF THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-Mr 7. b. $. Pinch
back has addressed letter TO Governor NICHOLS an
nouncng his retirement from the contest for seat In
the United states Senate Senator from Louisiana
The action Of the Senate Committee I'm regard to Kellogg
and EUsis having practically closed the struggle he
says:
Not willing under the circumstances, TO continue this
contest and by seemingly factous opposition emDar
rass Mr. Elsis and deprive the state Of her de repre
sentatl0n, nOw respectfully, tender 10 Sou' as Cuel
Executive OF Louisiana, my resignation.
deem proper in this connection, as matter OF JUS
tce to myself and To my friends to drec. attention 70
the exceptional action had in my especially as the
appears in contrast with the prompt and partisan
support Of Governor Kellogg admit that there were ir
reguares attaching TO tue Constitution OF the General
ton, to extent the legal status OF said Gener-
al Assembly Its members bore credentials from
determined and recognized by the Supreme
Court OF Louisiana, but from the opposition
the election; they unable to obtain possession OF
said returns and their action in making the and
based upon statements and certificates OF votes
furnished by the United States supervisors, and
other secondary evidence. Necessarily their decisions
to extent cOnjectura and uncertain but the
best the necessities Of the allowed and the Iessla
ture thus declared authorized under the Constitution
TO cure and determine any detects mat might exist IN
for its constitutional term OF two years,
acted the Legislature that governed the State for that
period and deemed OF sufficient validity % canvass
and declare the votes for Governor and Lieutenant
Governor; and the executive officers were not
only recognized by the Judiciary Of tue state
and by the President OF the United States,
but exercised their functions within the state for the
full term OF their Office. ppcmentng these consider
atoms blythe further tnat Louisiana largely Re
publican in its masses believe that senator-cet.
not only rcpresene the popular viii OF The state but
possessed title substantially legal and valid yet
/ submitted TO the decision Of the Senate on the
assumption that honorable senators we're not only
honest m the grave Constitutional objections tat they
raised, but far acting from conviction as would
authorize tne expectation OF consistency OF conduct
should DC presented Tor tneli cOuSlu
Now. find, when Governor Kellogg presents a claim
essentially like my own. but weaker, that the gentlemen
who 50 earnestly comDatted my cam Ronpl5 aui WIZ
hes tatOn admit and defend his me Pac@id Ltss-
aturr, sOcaed derived IL credentials from the Itl re
turning Board, aud SAID Board, Unlike that OF - -
could be specific and definite III It's pIomHlst-
not from lack OF knowledge. but or ch0ce, cX-
clude men who had received a majority OF me
votes cast, sappeared from the 9cal fsJarhs ptore
tnem. sufficient IN number to destroy quorum IN eac1
House They thus by the practical Acknowledgement OF
TIE citizens created Legislature which could not exist
eXceut by the defeat OF the popular VIII; lhe
Assembly Of 1873 may have inadvertently, and by the
c.forced gGOrdnce OF the only tribunal cGmpeent 10 act
In the Premises had in II enttled to st therein
but tile Packard Assembly, in lis senate ana IN IT'S
House, held members IN sufficient numbers 10
nave broken the quorum in each wno were
Board, not only without having received maJonly Oh
votes, but To the exclusion OF other men VINO we're
sembly passed away III few weeks, "ith-
ont leaving behind ii, as the eyidenre ol
sucn "a body is certified TO by Governor Packard whose
title was as baselc,, and whose tenure or office was rs
and On Its merits, the OF Governor Kellogg.
1t taxes both my creduiity ana charity TO concede
either sincerity consistency 10 Republican ocnlors
wac so earnestly opposed my claim from 1873 to 1876
aud promptly and sodly supported the new senator
I'm wIthdrtwing from this contest, cannot refrain
from expressing NY heartfelt gratitude 10 the members
OF the senate who have consistently and bravery sus
tanned me in my efforts my rights ana repre-
seHtat.on to the state aud probe OF louisiana.