River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-04-19
The Louisiana Commission.

3 The Commission appointed by Presi
dent Hayes continued to "receive" at New
Orleans on the 10th. A delegation of thirty
colored men first called and argued in behalf
OF Packard, claiming that his title to the Gov
ernorship was the same as that of Hayes to the
Presidency. The Mayor and portion OF the
City Council next called. The Mayor stated
that the debt OF the city in 1874 was s24, 000,-
600 and that it was now S22, 900, 900. Taxes in
1874 were * per cent. and now Y cents on
the dollar. Other delegations from the city
and various parts of the State also called and
the entire day was occupied by these con-
ferences.
The Commission was occupied on
the 18th as on previous days in hearing dele
cations. Among those heard was Pinchback,
with fifteen colored men, who were all op-
posed to Packard and in favor OF the Nichols
government. The Commission also inter-
viewed Packard and Nichols in person.
The proceedings of the Commission
on the 18th were unimportant 30 lar as the
public were made aware, but secret session
was held, lasting all night. 1t is reported
that this secret session was devoted to pre-
pairing telegram to the President asking
further instructions.
The Commission was in secret SEES.
sion all day on the 18th. Their cipher dis
patch to the President Enthusiastically re-
lates the result OF their conference with both
Nichols and Packard, the Judges Of tie re-
spective Supreme Courts aud other parties in
interest. They say they find that the Mich
oils party are not disposed to make any con-
cessiOns, but will maintain their ground in the
belief that ultimately, as in the Hampton
case OF South Carolina, they will have tull
and unobstructed possession OF the Louis
lana State Government The Packard party
are ready to enter into an arrangement for a
Joint Legislature to determine the pending
questions, but, this being rejected by the
Nichols party, ask the President to deter
mine which is the legal State Government
The President declines to act upon the re-
quest as, under the present circumstances,
be would not be justified in making decis-
ion. Owing to the disagreement OF the Mich
oils and Packard parties, and the unpromis-
ing prospects OF accommodation, the Com
mission ask tor further instructions, which
will be sent after Cabinet session. A tel
egram was received from the President on
the evening of the 18th, but the Commits
sion declines to make the contents public.
At the session on the l4th. Gen. Me-
MILAN, Judge Leonard, and several other
prominent Republicans, were present. Gen.
Mcmillan and his associates urged upon the
Commission the necessity OF an early decision
by the President every interest OF the State
and people demand it; if it is to be Nichols,
A. 20 L., he Ia % ID.
ard is to be recognized, let it be done without
further delay. Gen. Mcmillan said that conf
dence in the ultimate success OF the Nichols
government seemed to be hardening, citing
the improvement in State bonds, &C., and de-
sertions from Packard Legislature as sustain
ing this view.
The members of the Nichols House,
on the 10th, considered the adjustment pro-
posals, which are that the present organiza-
ton OF the Legislature still remain intast, the
roll to be called to be the same as that called
by clerk Trescevent on the first day OF as
sembling of the Nichols Legislature at st
Patrick's Hall. emitting the names OF seven
members who have since been seated subject
to contest. The House roll will include O.
Democrats and 81 E-publicsns, one Demo
cratic member having died. II is understood
that this arrangement is satisfactory 10
the Commission and to the conservatives.
The House caucus plan was adopted by the
Senate to-day. The Commission, it is stated
advised the Present OF the acceptance OF this
plan by the Nichols government, and will
await the Presidents approval before submit
ting the matter to Packard. The Nichols
Senate has passed resolutions pledging sup
port ofalltLe Constitutional amendments and
Packard has written another letter to the
President protesting against the withdrawal
of troops