Year: 1876

wAsuIsoroS, Feb. 8, 1875
MORE TROUBLE ANTICIPATED IN LOUISIANA


MARSHAL PACKARD's PLAN FOR RETAINING


REPUBLICAN AscENDANcY-THE oDIoUs RE-


TURNING BOARD


Louisiana again forces itself the attention of both
parties in Congress The State Senate which is repub
lcan has substituted the election prepared and
passed by the House bill which creates Re-
turning Board In form and with powers greater and
moro odious than those possessed by the old Board
which was convicted OF gross frauds by two Congress
sional committees last year Copies of this piece OF
republican machinery have reached here and 1t Is seen
that the powers gwen in 1t TO the proposed new Re'
burning Board such would enable II TO fling out
any election precinct district not only in Louisiana
but New York Massachusetts, If it instituted
there and to declare the election OF whoever tho
Board chooses.


This bill has created intense excitement in louisiana
and the conservatives who have a majority in the
House. threaten that unless the Senate drops the bill
they will hold the Wheeler adjustment to be broken
and proceed at to mpeach Governor Kellogg and
Lieutenant Governor Antoine They claim that in the
adjustment the republicans promised TO consent to
tain necessary reforms and that was Understood that
among the chief the abolition OF the
Returning Board 1t quite true that the republicans
promised reforms, but the conservatives, who not





particulars, and hence got distinct agree
ment about the Returning Board. So far,
therefore, they complain without good grounds
But the Legislature ought to act for the
peace OF the State, and as the proposed Senate
bill is plainly and Violently unjust, they are un-
doubtedly right in resisting


Under the State constitution IN officer is suspended
from duty by the fact of his impeachment and during
trial, aud thus the House, which is democratic can
lawfully suspend not only Kellogg, but the Lieutenant
Governor, and make Estilete the Speaker of the
House who is a conservative and moderate man. the
acting Governor Such course would naturally
create intense excitement in New Orleans, and It is
feared might end in violence


Under these circumstances leading men IN both
Iartes here examining the situation with anxiety
Ia th democratic Congressional caucus, which is TO
Thursday II is probable that the whole subject
wi. be either considered or what is more likely,
referred to a committed. Tho leading republicans
also desrous to prevent trouble and the
State and 1t Is possible that they may determine to
bring influence to bear upon Marshal Packard to
force him consent to an election law, including
ranvasssng board, which both parties shall agree,
and which shall be fair. II is said here that It Is
taialy unfair insist upon law which puts the whole
election into the hands of committee, and that
mttee partisan in its character, with power substan
TALLY to do what 1t pleases.


A settlement OF the difficulty would not DO mpos-
sble IL Mr. Packard made understand that the
republicans here require It, Tor II Is, OF course to Gov
Kooggs interest that he shall not be mpeached,
which suspends him from Office, and he would proba-
bly, incline to a settlement. which should prevent i'm
peachment Marshal Packard, however, rules Kellogg,
and 1t not believed that he would DO any
thing which would help to produce violence and blood
shed and enable him to call for United States troops.
II remembered here that he hither last winter
urge tho passage OF the Force bill the ground
that without such law he could not promise carry
Louisiana for the republican party this year. II the
conservatives In New Orleans unwise enough TO be
goadcd to violence such that which took place
the l4th of September they will give Packard strong
advantage.