New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-13

posed reduction of the whiskey tax is held to
be defeated. A nomination was confirmed yes
terday against Senator Spencers opposition.
THE PRESIDENT INDIGNANT
ABREACH OF GOOD FAITH IN LOUISIANA DETER
MINATION TO SAVE WELLS AND ANDERSON If
POssIBLE-wHAT MR.. HAYES SAYS.
1BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSE.l
WAsHINGToy Feb. 1.-THE late occurrences in
Louisiana were the subject of earnest discussion IN
the meeting of the Cabinet to-day. The fact was
disclosed that the President and his constitutional
advisers unanimous In the belief that the pros
ecutions OF the Returning Board are breach OF
good faith onthc part Of the Democrats of Louisl-
ana and in violation of the understanding between
The President and the representatives of the people
Of that State and that the tendency Will be to de-
stroy the confidence of the country in the good In
teutious of the Southern Conservatives and to re-
open old political controversies, which it has been
the aim of the President TO close forever.
Some members of the Cabinet, either from having
been witnesses of what took place in Louisiana a
year ago. or from their less conservative tendencies,
show greater indignation than others. Secretary
Shermans opinions are known. for he has already
published them to the world. What he says in such
forcble language is Endorsed by Secretaries Thomp-
son and McCrary, and by Attomey-General Devens;
and in regard to any measures that may be adopted
by the PRESIDENT, 1t may no salu WIFI coHuuchCc
that there will be no division in the Cabinet.
The President has already addressed letter to
the General calling his attention officially
10 the conviction of General Anderson and the
prosecution of other members of the Returning
Board and asking for his opinion as to what tie
Executive can do, if anything, to insure to Wells
Anderson and their associates far and Just
treatment. In this letter, which will prob
ably be published tomorrow, with General
Devens's reply, the President takes occasion
TO express in very vigorous language his
opinion of the proceedings before the Court in New
Orleans and to characterize them as he thinks they
deserve. To give more force TO the communication
be reviews briefly the history of the events which
preceded the accession of the Nichols Administra-
ton in Louisiana to undisputed power, and recalls
the general understanding that arrived at
giving emphasis TO the whole by quoting from the
resolutions of the Nichols Legislature and from
letters written by Governor Nichols.
President Hayes's letter is not long, but like all
his State papers, it is direct, pointed and unequivo-
cal and shows beyond all question his determine
ton not to sit still and allow men whom
he believes to be innocent to be outraged
and oppressed, az he thinks the members of the Re-
turning Board are The letter would probably have
been published to-day except for the fact that is
being revised and moro snap" is being put into it.
Acknowledgement Devens will act very promptly
in this matter. He has never looked upon the
Southern policy of the Administration with that
unquestioning confidence that has been felt by the
President and some other members of his Cabinet,
and has never held that the President could not
change his policy at any time if circumstances
should seem to demand it-not that he or anyone else
TO whom the President looks for advice conempates
the possibility of military interference under any
circumstances; but he has looked upon the over
lures of the President to the South in some de-
gree experimental and not to be persisted in unless
the South shows itself ready to reciprocate and meet
the President at least half way. There several
ways in which steps can be taken to have the pro-
ceedings of Judge Whittaker's court reviewed. and
one of these General Devens will undoubtedly rec
ommend to the President tomorrow.
The President has spoken without reserve on this
subject to-day to every one who has approached
him and referred to it in conversation He has
shown no mpatience or vindctiveness, but he has
evinced deep feeling which some describe as
sense of injury, and determination that will not
be shaken, to act with promptness and decision.
No man in the country believes more implicitly
in the lawfulness of all of the Returning Boards
proceedings than President Hayes. He thinks the
members of it did their duty in counting the vote
of Lousiana conscientously and fearlessly, and he
does not believe that any other res ait than that
which was announced could have been legally
reached. 1t is not therefore, from any sense OF
obligation to Messrs. Wells and Anderson and their
associates for service of doubtful character either
TO the party or himself that he now feels bound to
do what he to save them from the malignity OF
Bourbon persecution but il is from his sense OF
justice based upon belief that they are being per-
secuted simply because they did their duty con-
scientiousy in time of great trial if not of danger
As an example Of the Presidents feeling on this
subject; reference may be made to an interview be-
tween him and DR.. Loring, of Massachusetts, to-
day, in which he spoke very Indignantly of the
course pursued by those having charge of the
Returning Board trials in New-Orleans, and
by the Bourbons who are urging them
on He is reported as having said to
DR.. L0ring that the prosecutions were in
spired BY the devilishness of the worst
elements of Louisiana politics He added that
lie should give the subject instant cOnsdera-
ton, and would resort to every legal expedient to
arrest any further prosecutions of the gentlemen
referred to. He spoke of the letter that he had al
ready addressed to Attorney General Devens, asking
his opinion as to the powers OF the Executive
IN the premises and to the most direct and eff
receive noans of reaching the In conference
with several other gentlemen the President ex
pressed himself with great earnestneSs, and said he
was Wiling to use all peaceful means TO arrest this
injustice but absolutely refused to entertain the
idea of employing force
A telegram was received to-day from Governor |
Nichols dscaiming all sympathy with the move |
lnent against the Returning Board but admitting |
mat he Is poweress to interfere to prevent those
who have control of the matter from carving out |
their purposes.
MPIERSON'S HEAVY SHOT.
TN