Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-01-18
THE DISPUTED A
9

The rival State Governors and Lieut.
Governors of Louisiana were ~inaugurated
on the Sth. Gov. Packard and Lieut.
Gov. Antoine were sworn in at the State
house by Chief-Justice Ludeling, and Gov.
Nichols and Lieut.. Gov. Wilt were sworn
in by Judge Tissol, at St. Patrick's Hall.
Every thing passed off quietly.
On the 9th a demand was made by Sheriff
Handy, who is an adherent .of the Nichols
Government, for the possession OF .the Su-
preme Court building, which had been
placed by Chief-Justice Ludeling in charge
of Packard's police. Two regiments of in
fantry, fully armed, were mustered in by
the Sheriff as q posse comitatus, n a
movement in force made upon the building,
which was given up without any resistance,
and the new Judges installed. Nichols
police also took possession Of all the police
stations. The State-house was then sur
rounded by the Nichols troops and all it's
communications cut off. The State-house
was occupied by Cows. Packard and KEEL
logg, the members of the Republican Leg
i~slature, a force Of police and some colored
troops. Gen. Anger, commanding the
United States troops, received the following
dispatch from the War Department:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Jan.
9.-GEN. G.. &. AUGER, New Orleans, La. ::
A dispatch just received from the United States
Marshal at New Orleans indicates that unau-
thorized armed bodies of men are organized
and assembling in a manner to threaten the
peace and safety of the city: If this
CARNATIONS that they must desist
on pain of coming in conflict with the United
States authority, sustained by the military pow
er of the Government. Report at once the stu
alton and your action, keeping in mind the fact
that this order has no reference to the ~recOgni-
ton of either of the claimant to the Governor
(ssigned] J. d. CAMERON,
Sec'y Of War.
There was no essential change in the situ-
alton of affairs on the 10th, further than
that, by request Of Gen. Anger, all ~restric-
tions upon the entrance of people to the
State-house were removed. Alfred Bour-
ges, Psckard's Sheriff, demanded possession
of the supreme Court building, which was
refused. Several companies OF United
States troops arrived from Mobile. Both
sides professed themselves satisfied with
the present condition of affairs, and it was
attempted by either side. Gen. Anger re-
ceived the following additional order by
telegraph:
WAR DEPARTMENT, Jan. l0.-To. GEN. C..
c. AUGER, New o leans, La: 1t is reported
that the state house in ,ew Orleans is surround
ed by a mob. If this is SO. notify all persons to
disperse and compel compliance with your or
der. 1t is the determination OF the President to
see that the Legislature is not molested. When
he has full knowledge of all the facts in the
premises he will decide which should be recog-
niZed.
(Signed) j. d. CAMERON,
Secretary of War.
On the 18th, ex-Gov. McEnery, who had
been appointed Recorder by Gov. Nichols,
took formal possession of that office. Gov.
Packard authorized Gen. Badger to organ
lie a division Of military. Gen. Anger was in
terviewed by a reporter and said he thought
there would be no collision; that his in
structions were not to interfere except to
preserve the peace. Both Legislatures con-
tinued to ballot for United States Senator,
but without a choice. Two more members
Of the House withdrew from the Packard
Legislature and joined with the opposition.