The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-11
The Men who Counted in Hayes In
dicted by the Grand Jury.


Orleans had found true bills against Wells,
Anderson, Kenuer and Casanave, charging
them with havingwilfully and fraudulently
manipulated and falsifed the election re-
turns of certain parishes in the state OF
Louisiana, and on these charges they are
to be held for trial
Straightway comes information from
Washington that Mr.. Hayes and his par
ticular friends are much concerned about
the indictment, that it has been the sub
ject Of one or more cabinet discussions,
and that Gov. Nichols has been commu-
nicated with and notified that the act is
deemed breach Of good faith and in vio-
lation Of the terms upon which the admin
istration consented to recognize the Mich
oils government in Louisiana.
No doubt the presidential breast is SEN
sitive to an extreme degree about the
Louisiana electoral vote, and is keenly
alive to any movement which may tend to
uncover and expose the iniquities Of the
Returning Board. The evident design of
oil this is to impress the public mind with
the belief that it Is best to allow the past
to sink into oblivious silence, or, if the
Louisiana people will persist 10 the trial Of
these men to make the prosecution appear
10 be merely a political one, The COM
ments Of the Republican press are gener-
ally to that effect.
A correspondent Of the n. Y. Tribune,
said to be in high favor at the White House,
says
The president feels very much out
ragged at the proceedings, and considers
that il is breach Of faith on the part OF
the people Of Louisiana. The president
has consulted with the attorney general
and with prominent LouisiaDians to ascer-
tain if there is anything within his power
TO do OF which it is proper for him to do,
in the premises. He has been advised
that it is expedient to do nothing. and that
if the case against Wells and Anderson
should be really carried to O conviction
reliance would need to be placed upon Gov.
Nichols to grant them pardons
1t will be remembered that a great
many people throughout the country, not
long since, felt very much outraged by the
proceedings of this same Louisiana Re-
turning Board; that they felt as if its acts
were an outrage against law, right and
justice. They still feel that it is not only
possible but quite certain that fair and im.
partial judicial investigation will show
that the members of the Louisiana Re.
turning Board were reoklessly corrupt, and
unmitigated scoundrels. We think this
was the opinion last winter of intelligent
and impartial minded men all over the
country; and if the proof is now at hand
sufficient to convict these men, or any oil
them, on fair trial, we say every instinct
of honor and justice demands that they
should be tried and punished.
The Returning Board pretended to act
always under the state law, aud justified
its action against interference from an!
and every quarter because Of the RICH
Of the State to enact just such u Law
as the one which gave them existeuc
and authority, Be it so; the present pro
ceedings are wholly under sanction of tn
State law; let the State authorities in
vestigate and determine the actual facts
The presidential question, in all huma
probability, is settled for Mr., Hayes
present term, 30, without regard to tina
question whatever, let the trials proceed
and If the charges contained in the indict
ment are true, let them be proven an
the guilty parties suffer the penalty. TIL
Electoral commission declined 70 invest
gate the facts, now let the State author
ties do it-only let it be done honestly, in
partially, and thoroughly.
We have no sympathy with men of Ii
Returning Board class, or with such as ali
abet or sanction their lawlesS and higl
handed outrages II the trial Of tn
members of the Louisiana Returnir
Board shall disgrace not 2oDly them, b.
others who coDnived at and prohted |
their forgeries and maniuation, of vote
it will only be n just retribution Me-
however exalted their position in life, wi
knowingly lend themselves or their il
huence to the preparation Of crime, ougl
10 be driven out Of public life into o
security and disgrace; and high-mindt
honorable men of all parties ought
welcome any lawful agency which expos
fraud and crime. Ever since the Loui
lana Returning Board has had an cxlsten,
its acts have been continually tainted vii
alleged frauds, corruption, lies, perjur
bribery and political viIlainy; and
nearly every person, not politically
sympathy with its acts, the Board won
seem to have been created for the EXPIRE
purpose of political diabelrie.
1t the Electoral commission had no rig
to 60 behind the Board to investigate, Il
State OF Louisiana. through her ov
courts, may inquire into and investiga
alleged violations of her own law; and
this particular matter we have no dou
but that it is lawful and necessary; al
we say further that it should be dol
fully, fearlessly, aud without regard
the personal anxiety of high contractir
parties, or their desire to hush the vol
of justice.
Great men, or men in high ofici
position, are after all only mortal, and the
earthly careers soon close, but good 70
eminent, the majesty of law, and II
purity of its administration, are not thin
of the mere moment. thew are of VII