The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-02-13
me Louisiana Case
REPORT OF TEE MrNoRIT,

VT MhNOkliN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1O.--Reprcsenta-
tives Hurlbut, Townsend, Danford,
Crapo and Joyce have made their minor
ity report In the Louisiana investigation,
concluding as follows;
For the first time In the history Of this
country 1t has been attempted to destroy
the lawful and formal expression Of .
state in the election Of president by
assuming power In the house
of representatives to examine into
any and all polls and to purge elections.
To make itself returning board and de-
termine by partisan vote what Louisiana
ought to have done. We regard 1t as the
most fatal attack ever ATTEMPTED upon
constitutional right, as . gross usurpa-
ton of power, az subjecting in its natural
development the entire question of cleo
ton of president to the will or decision
of the house OF representatives. What
has been attempted by this Democratic
house In Louisiana may be done on the
same principle by some other dominant
party in any other state whose
vote may be in the way OF
their party candidate. The cry of fraud
is quickly raised, and is readily repeated
and far too easily believed. Evidence il
always ready to support that or any
charge ii great political advantage is to
be gained. The only way to preserve
just balance OF power Is to stand by and
support the formal deliberate and lawful
decisions of the tribunal constituted
for the purpose ordained under the
constitution by the highest state author
ity, by laws, which have been ex-
pounded and sustained by the proper
supreme courts is to substitute guess
work for legitimate decision, the rule OF
mob for orderly processes Of law, the
control by the house OF representatives
whose days are numbered for determi-
nation made by the people themselves in
due and regular form chosen by them.
selves. Passion and prejudice will wear
themselves out in time. The wild decla-
nation of Incorporate orators will soon
be forgotten. The rash assertions OF
party presses will pass from mems
minds and then this case of Louisiana
will perhaps be fairly considered and
verdict of thoughtful men will be that
the Democratic party OF that unhappy
state are justly to be held responsible for
the continuous and organized attempts
by force to annul the clear will OF the
majority. The same calm judgment will
declare that the law Of 1870 and
1872 were necessary safeguards against
such organized illegal forces and should
be approved by all who believe in the
supremacy OF Law that this much abused
returning board acted in the spirit Of the
law creating them and that their deter
mination is final in the matter.
Holding these views, the minority Of
the committee submit them and do not
propose to follow in Its details the unau.
thorized dissection of the vote made
from partisan and biased information by
the majority Of the committe, but to
stand upon establishe ! law and deliberate
the results of constitutional action of
sworn officers OF state, solemnly done,
performed anG promulgated with all
sanctions OF law.
The undersigned submit herewith re-
ports OF the minority member. Of the
subcommittee which was subdvided,
and close this report by Offering the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Resolved That the election held for pres
idential election in Louisiana, 9TH No.
vember. 1877, was examined into, deter.
mined, declared and promulgated BY
proper authorities OF said state under all
forms of law and in conformity with the
constitution OF the United States.