The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-04-11

WASHINGTON, Earch 13.
1t has been publicly stated that the
visit of Major General Hancock TO New
Orleans In February was made by the
request OF the President, and was for the
purpose Of interceding with Governor
Nichols in behalf of Anderson. The
following in reference TO this matter is
obtained from q source believed to be
possessed of the facts: After the verdict
Of guilty in Anderson's case it was au-
thoritatively given out from the White
House that the President had determined
10 interfere, and % preliminary had
written letter to the Attorney General
requesting him 10 consult authorities and
suggest the proper method Of action.
The Attorney General, aaef eXamina-
ton, discovered that the Fe;;sral govern.
ment really could do nothing and 80
informed the President. It was at this
juncture, go it is said, that suggestion
was made 10 the President that General
Hancock would be a good man 10 send
TO New Orleans to plead for Anderson,
that he and Governor Nichols were class
mates at West Point and were friends,
and that the people of New Orleans were
very fond of him and would listen TO lis
counsel. A messenger was accordingly
sent to General Hancock's headquarters
in NeY York TO sound him OH the SUBJ
ject. 1t is represented that General
Hancock was very averse to having any
thing TO do with the matter, and that he
finally consented solely az matter of
personal consideration for the wishes of
the President, with whom he had at one
time been associated in army service.
lie went to New Orleans and remained
there about two weeks, during which
time he was the recipient Of the most
profuse social attention, although, proba-
bly, out of Difference to his own wishes,
very little public notice wsa .aken of his
presence in the city. He had several
len,thy interviews with GOV. Nichols,
anil it 10 sale finally obtained fiom him
ar assurance that he would pardon An.
derson If the Supreme Court OF the State
lid not reverse the action of the lower
court. This information was promptly
communicated to the authorities here.
His mission ended, Gen. Hancock re-
turned to New York. 1t is proper to
state that while the above is thought to
be substantially correct, it 10 not furn-
ished by either of the principals in the
affair
1t is alleged that since his return Gen.
HANCOCK ID more convinced than before
that his scruples against undertaking
political mission of such character were
we'll founded, but holds that under the
circumstances he could do no less than
accede 10 the request made of him. It
is undoubtedly an unprecedented act,
oven in this era of making precedente,
for the head of the government aS Wash
ington TO send o apecial envoy to treat
with the authorities of State in refer
ence to the administration of criminal
justice in that State.
If it is proper for the President to do
1t 10 one instance, why not in another ?
II he can with propriety send an agent
into Louisiana to ask the Governor to
pardon Anderson, convicted criminal,
what is there to prevent his sending an
agent to the Governor Of New York With
a request to pardon Tweed, convicted
criminal? Nothing whatever, except the
lack of person al interest. And if this
can be done in the case of criminals. why
not in other and ali cases where the Ex-
ecusive is interested for himself or for his
friends and retainers7 Il is possible tina!
the whole matter Of negotiations between
Washington and New Orleans with ref.
:rsnce to the Anderson case may yet be
deemed proper subject for Conzressional
inquiry.