New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-04
LOUISIANA.
MR.. HAYESs INSTRUCTIONS.


pressed an opinion that the people of Louisiana
might settle the controversy themselves before the
arrival of the.commissiOn if they were only dis
posed to do 80. The rapid disntegration of the
Packard Legislature which the dispatches from
NewOrleans for the last two three days represent
to be taking place will undoubtedly simplify rather
than complicate the work of the commission.
The following is the Presidents letter of nstruc-
tons to the Louisiana Commission
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 2.
To TIE Honorable CHARLES b. LAWRENCE JOSEPH Il.
HAwIEY, JOHN M. HARLAN, JOHN G. BROWN AND
WAYNE MACVEAGH Commissioners
GENTLEMEN: am instructed by the President to lay
before you some observations upon the occasion aud
object which have led him to invite You members OF
commission about TO visit the State Of Louisiana to
undertake this public service.
Upon assuming his Office the President finds the stu
alton OF affairs in Louisiana such justly demand his
prompt and solictous attention for this situation pre-
sents OF its features the apparent intervention Of
military power Of the United States in the domestic
controversies which undoubtedly divide the opinions
and disturb the harmony Of the people OF that
State. This intervention, arising during the term
and by the authority Of his predecessor, throws
no present duty upon the President except toexamlne
and determine the real extent and form and effect to
which such intervention actually exists aud TO decide as
TO the time. manner and conditions which should DC
observed putting end to It, 1t In aid OF his i'll
telgent and prompt discharge OF this duty that the
President sought the service Of this commission to
supply by means of its examination conducted in the
State of Louisiana, information that may be peril
nen to the crcunspecton and security OF any measure
he may resolve upon.
will be readily understood that the service desired of
intrused TO this commission does not involve any
examination into report upon the facts OF the recent
State election of the of the votes cast at that
election So far as attention to that subject may be
necessary, the President cannot but feel that the
reports OF committees Of the two houses of Congress
and other public information at hand Will dispense
with, and should preclude any original exploration by
commissions OF that field of inquiry But it is most per-
tncnt and important in coming to decision upon the
prcci question of Executive duty before him chat the
President should know what the real impedments to
regular legal and peaceful proceedings under the laws
and Constitution OF the State of Louisiana, by which
the anomalies in government there presented, may be
put in course OF settlement without involving the ee-
mcnt OF military power either an agent or make
weight in such solution The successful entertainment
of these mpedmens, the President confidently expects,
would indicate the people of that State the wisdom
and mode Of their removal.
The unusual circumstances which attended and fol-
lowed the state election aud from its relation
the excited feelings and interests of the Presidential
election may have retarded within the State OF Louis
iana the persuasive influences by which tho great social
and material interests common to the whole people
OF State, and the pride Of the American character as
lawabding nation. amcliorate the dlsappoinmenis ana
contests but the President both hopes aud believes tue
great body the C es a of nf fSer sae
election with calm and conciiatory spirit. II II De
government for that State least the President may
anticipate submission To the laws and constitution OF
the State OF all their dsscnsons at relieving them
selves from the reroach and their fcowctzens o; the
United States from anxieies which must ever attend
a prolonged dispute To the title and administration OF
government OF one of the States OF the Union.
THE OBSTACLES To DE REMOVED.
The President therefore desires that should devote
your first and principal attention 10 removal OF the
obstacles to an acknowledgements Of one government for
the purpose exercise Of authority within the state,
and representation Of the State in Its relations to the
general government, under Section OF Article Nv,
of the Constitution OF the United States, leaving II
necessary TO judicial other constitutional arDitrameht
within the SAFE the question OF ultimate right II these
obstacles should prove iuseparabe from whatever Te
SON. and the hope Of single government IN all It's de-
partments to disappointed it should be your next en-
de,yor 10 accomplish the recognition OF single Legisa-
ture the depository Of the representative VIII Vi inc
mis- great department rescued from dispute, the rest
OF the problem could gradually DO worked ou Dy the
nrey,lrnt authority, which the legislative power, Wnen
i,ndsputed Is quito competent Ia exert Ill cOmposiB
conflicts in the coordinate branches OF the Government
An attentive consideration of the conditions uhuer which
the Federal Constitution and the acts OF congress pro
vide permit military m t statc AGAINST
do,nnstr violence has satisfied the President that the
use OF TINS authority in determining or ~ m ed
tndonbIcdy as held by the Supreme court III tae
o Luther against Borden tne app al "a oh ~
may involve such inquiry rs to the iawIuness o. Tue
ant,orty vhicn nIyokes the interference OF the ifts
den I'm supposed pursuance or The constitution D ~
H. cunal true that neither the CONSTITUTIONAL provision
nor of Congress were formed WIN an5 SUN u
s,,n Both obviously treated the case OF domestic Io
iSce ,thin State AZ outbreak against law anu he
nuthory of the established government, "nlch uo
state was unable to suppress by us own sHehs1n n
A case wherein every department. vi w! nv
S,ot Government has disputed representation and the
state tIerctOre furnishes 10 the Federal Government 10
nterua political recognition OF authority upon nioii
IT, EaIerI Executive rely, Will present case vi 50
nncn dticuity that IL Is OF pressing inllorc1 " a..
iutrrrsts i'm Louisiana that IL should D. avoaeu; 90
,jngIe leg stature would greatly rtheVe uils u!M-
cnIv for that department OF tue St''e -
,is nv the Constitution as Inc necessary aPPlount
thc limited States II, therefore, the dispqlhs 50
en- cnnctir iu or be reduced 10 "a s'hsc G 80,
tha safe of Louisiana II would DC great s'op !" e
posing this unhappy STRIFE ,o ,,. commission the
Tnp President leaves entirety 70 VIC , for,ned
nniiatnry influences which IN their Judgment iOineu
~ H. .nnt may seem TO them 10 conduce 10 zig Pio
1nsed end Ills own determination tna oiiy az ,i,a
st,rtinus should inspire and attend 'ns enot ~ .
tn nsaca ia eyinced by his selection Oh CON-
,nissioners who Offer 10 the country III tlc % a.o.
Ter every guarantee Of tie public motives anu s
of the TRANSACTION which they nave %, 10
IsieDt he does not doubt OF the Wisdom oi lib scieo
ton and Ills pleDary trust III the cohm'sA'ou'
the STATE or PUBLIC OPINION.
second and less important subject OF attention during
the visit 70 will be the collection OF accurate
and Trustworthy information from public Officers ana
nromnept citizens OF oil political connections IN 70 tue
state OF public feeling and opinion III the community
large upon general questions which ahect pe''eei" M
safe exercise within the State Of Louisiana OF all ns