The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-04-13
THE LOUISIANA COMMISSION.

The commission appointed by the President
to visit New Orleans and bring about a pacific
solution of the political troubles in Louisiana
commenced their labors on the 9Th inst. Judge
Charles b. Lawrence, of Illinois, was elected
Chairman, and Gen. Joseph r. Hawley, of Con-
necticut, secretary. The commission first
waited upon Packard at the State House,
in New Orleans, and held an hours in
terview. Packard made statement
of the organization of the Legislature
with Returning Board quorum in each house,
and the canvass by that body on the day named,
in the way prescribed by the constitution, of
the votes for Governor and Lieutenant Gov
ernor. He claimed that he was the legally
elected Governor of Louisiana, and expressed
himself satisfied that he could maintain himself
in the position if recognized by the President,
reinstated in possession of the court buildings,
arsenals, ETC., and accorded the moral support
of the National Government. The commits
sion subsequently called upon Nichols,
ernor was undisputed everywhere in the
State outside of the State House. In the even
ing the Commissioners, in an unofficial capa-
city, visited a large open-air mass meeting of
the friends of Nichols, at which speeches
were delivered by prominent local white and
colored orators, including the irrepressible
Pinchback.
Joint committees of the Nichols Legislature
called upon the commission on the 8th, and
made detailed verbal statement of the status
of affairs, giving the number of parishes
and officials that had acknowledged ale
glance to the Nichols Government, etc.
The members of the Packard Supreme Court
next visited the commission, and laid
before them an elaborate printed brief, show
ing their title TO Office under the constitution
Then there was a visit from a delegation of
District Judges, who stated that the sentiment
Of their districts was in favor of Packard
These had no sooner withdrawn than the MEM
bers of the Nichols Supreme Court, by invita-
ton, called upon the commission in body and
had an informal consultation.
The commission, on the 9th, received a dele
CATION of New Orleans business men, headed by
Mr.. Black, President of the Cotton Exchange.
The commissioners said to them that they had
sought Louisiana but could not find it. They
found two Governors, two Supreme Courts,
and an alleged dual Government in all depart
ments, but, in fact, by the acknowledgment of
all parties, there was only one Legislature,
hough it met in two halls. The Com
missioners suggested that if self-goverment
was desired, ana the withdrawal of the army.
1t could probably be secured in a day, should
the public opinion of the State compel its Leg
islature to meet az one body. The delegation
was not inclined to accept the suggestion.
maintaining that Nichols must be de-
Tended as Governor to the full extent
delegation from the Union Club. Repub
hcan association, was received and heard. and
committee from the Packard Legislature
presented statistics, records and briefs.
The commission was kept busy on the 10th.
listening to the statements and arguments OF
the various committees that called upon them.