New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-05
SOUTHERN POLITICS.
THE SITUATION AT NEW-ORLEANS
. p,cTrRE OF THE RIVAL GOVERNMENTS AND THB
MATERIAL RESOURCES OF EACH.



rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNgI
Nyw-ORIE FANS April 4.-Both political parties in
D., ou;siana are now awaiting with interest the arr-
val Of the Special Commission appointed by Presi-
Aont HAYES The situation here is extremely strik
inc In idea, it is very much the same as in South
Carolina but there is more imposing demonstra-
t;on by both of the contendiDg State governments,
and the problem is more intricate and interesting i'll
oil its phases.
The situation is as follows The rival Legislatures
are both in session passing laws Packard holds
nossession Of the State House with 500 Metropolitan
Malice armed with muskets. The United States
troops are quartered in the adjoining building
Packards authority is limited TO the jurisdiction of
the state House and the four streets surrounding it,
Within this territory his guards not molested by
Nebolss forces. All the rest of the city is under
the municipal authority which has recognized
Nichols In the State, out Of Is dis
trct Judges IL have recognized Nichols
The other five are on the fence All the county
officers of 43 parishes, Republican and Democratic
have recognized Nichols also. In five, half recognize
Packard and the other half Nichols. In the nine
remaining parishes the officers elected in November
have not qualified. Two hundred and forty colOred
men elected TO various offices throughout the State
last Fail are said by Nichols to have qualified by
filing oaths with his Secretary Of state. Among
Nicholls's appointees, 81 colored men. On the
new parish Boards of Education One-third of the
members are coorcd. Nichols appears i'll fact TO he
DESTROYS to break down the color line.
The most difficult feature in the situation is the
existence of the rival Supreme Courts. Packard's
court was reappOnted by Gov. Kellogg before he
went out of office, and was confirmed by the new
Senate which had q Returning Board quorum
Nicholls's court was apponted!by him and confirmed
by his Senate, which was without a quorum of mem
beers declared by the Returning Board to have been
elected 1t bases its authority upon the constitu-
toua provision that each house is the sole Judge of
the election of its own members Ii is claimed that
this provision overIides the law under which the
Returning Board issued certificates. The whole con-
troveIsy in Louisiana hinges Oh this one point
Had the Returning Board the right to declare who
we're elected to the Legslaturer
Whether a solution can be reached in Louisiana as
peacefully rs in South Carolina il is TOO soon 10 say
Packard however. says that if he is forced TO aban
don his position he will make a nOise" before he
goes. The Nichols party do not expect much from
the Commission. They oppose a compromise, and
only want the troops withdrawn.
Packard is not collecting dollar of taxes.
Nichols is making collections of taxes. however, as
il he was undisputedly the Governor. Packard's
only hope is in recognition from the President, and
a continuation of the military occupancy of the
State.
There is now movement among the Republicans
opposed TO Packard to organize a Hayes party. A
private meeting was held at the st. Charles Hotel
this evening. Among those present were two former
Republican members of Congress and president OF
one of the city banks. This points to still further
dsintegration of the Packard political forces here