The daily gazette., 1877-03-27
FROM WASHINGTON,

Especial Dispatch TO the Baltimore SUM-
The Southern Question and the Doubt
fW Policy-The Mdtthe,os-G Gordon
] pondence-Federdl Bayonets
| Still the Fdshion-The Status Quo
to be Strictly Enforced.
WASHINGTON, March 26.-The South
ern question was discussed again at
length in the cabinet councils to-day ,and
attention was directed to the negotiations
last month between Messrs. Foster, Mat
thews and the Southern leaders. 1t was
understood-tha Mr.. Matthews had tele-
graphed here that he will give out for pub
| llcation tomorrow the text of his letter to
Gen. Gordon.
| In regard to the Louisiana commission
the President was unable to inform his
cabinet of any additional acceptances,
although it was stated that the expecta-
tion is that the commission will be made
up and announced tomorrow. Charges
have been made here in behalf of Packard
that Gov. Nichols is violating the promise
to maintain the status quo whenever a
favorable opportunity occurs. 1t was
stated that his officers had elected the
State librarian on Saturday last, who is a
lady, the widow of a federal officer, and
has occupied thesposition for number of
years. About two months since this
same lady was removed from her Office of
State librarian by the adherents of Gov.
Nichols, but acting under orders of
President Grant Gen. Augur put her back
The President to-day said that he was
determined that the status quo should
be maintained both in Louisiana and
South Carolina until he had finally de-
cided what course he would take. The
Secretary of War was directed to issue
| orders TO Gen. Augur at New Orleans that
he must insist upon rigid maintenance
OF the existing status, and prevent any
aggressive movements on either side; also
that be must report as soon as possible
any violation committed by the Nichols
government in any part of the State. The
President also expresses his disapproval
of the Nichols courts undertaking to
proceed regularly in the administration
Of justice, as he says that their acts now
are clearly illegal. The Secretary of War
will also issue orders to Gen. Ruger at
Columbia to maintain the existing status
in South Carolina during the absence of
Hampton and Chamberlain at Washing
ton.
There has been little else talked of to-
day in all circles beside the Foster Cor
DON Matthews letters and agreement. The
President has exhibited some arrogance
on the subject, bat reiterates that no one
had any authority to bind him to parti-
cular line Of policy. He however is not
backward in the assertion that he intends
to do what is right, and that he believes
the people will approve ofhis course. Gen
Gordon states that he considers it but
just to wait until final action is taken
before charging that the pledges made to
him have been violated. He still thinks
| that ultimately Hampton will be recog-
| nized, but he is not so sure about Nichols.
A cabinet officer stated in conversation
this evening that Hampton would be re-
cognized, but he did not explain why there
is so much dilly-dallying about it. 1t is
also said that Chamberlain has given the
administration to understand that he
commits himself to desires entirely and
will abide by its decision.
Gen. Garfield, who has just returned
from Ohio. was one of the earliest collars
at the White House this morning. and
had quite lengthy interview with the
President Afterwards he said that the
President does intend to treat the South
ern question fairly, and that his object is
to give all parties chance to be heard.
MORE DAYoNET HISTORY.
Some further facts may now be given
| respecting the interviews and the under
standing arrived at between the South
ern leaders and those who were under
stood to be acting for Gov. Hayes. On
the night of February 26 the following
gentlemen met together in a room at
Wormley's Senators John Sherman and
Lamar, Representatives Garfield, Foster,
Ellis, of La, and John Young Brown, of
KY, Stanley Matthews, Ex-Gov. Denni-
son, and Maj. Burke, of Louisiana.
A conference ensued, which lasted sew
eral hours. No written pledges were Civ
en-, but it was generally understood that
the troops were to be removed and no
fnrther intel ference to be had by the fed
eral government in the affairs of Louisi-
ana..and South Carolina, except, of course
such as might be necessary to enforce the
constitution and laws of the United
States. Several of the gentlemen made
memoranda of what occurred, and hence
there can be no doubt on this point.
On the morning of February 27 Stanley
Matthews met in one Of the rooms attach
ed to the Supreme Court Messrs. Levy,
Ellis and Burke, of Louisiana, and gave
to them the most-unqaalified assurance
that General Grant would issue orders
for the removal of the troops before Hayes
came in, and thus relieve the latter from
any embarrassment.
In pursuance of this assurance Gener-
al Grant did direct that orders should be |
issued to Gen. Augur to remove the
troops from the vicinity of the State |
House in New Orleans. The order was
issued from army headquarters, and was |
an entire day in reaching Gen. Augur,
and when he received il was couched in |
such equivoeal language that General |
Augur was unable to comprehend its |
meaning, and telegraphed to General
Sherman inquiring what construction he
should put upon it. General Sherman
telegraphed back that he must put his |
own construction upon it. In the mean
time General Grants term expired.
When the order was first directed to be
Can Grant Gov Ninbollc woo ~