Year: 1873

IyCAsE OF NO LEGISLATION HE WILL FEEL BOUND


TO ADHERE TO HIS PRESENT POSITION.


GENERAL PRESS DIsPATcHI


WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The President sent the fol-
lowing message to Congress to-day:


To ue Senate and House Of Representatives.: Your at
tention is respectfully invited the condition OF affairs
in the State of Louisiana. Grave complications have
grown out Of the election there the 9th Of November
last chiefly attributable, it is believed TO organized
attempt on the part Of those controlling the election OIL
GERS and returns TO defeat in that election, the VIII OF
majority OF the electors of the state. Different persons
are claiming the executive Offices, two bodies claim
ing to be the legislative assembly of the State and the
confusion and uncertainty produced in this way
fan with paralyzng effect upon all its in
terests. Controversy arose as soon as the election
occurred its proceedings and results but declined
TO interfere until suit involving this controversy TO
some extent brought into the Circuit Court OF the
United States under and by virtue of the act Of May ST.
1870 entitled oenOrce the right OF citizens of the


limited States 10 vote in the several States Of the Union
and for other purposes. Finding that resistance
made TO the Judicial process III that suit without any
portunity and in my judgment without right TO
view the Judgment OF the Court upon the ursdctonal or
other questions arising the case, directed the United
States Marshal TO enforce such process and 70
use if necessary. troops for that purpose,
in accordance with the 18th section OF said
act which provides that IL shall be lawful for the Pres
dent of the United States employ such part OF the Land
or naval forces the United States of the militia
shall be necessary aid in the execution OF judicial pro
cess under this, act.


Two bodies Of persons claiming to be the Returning
Board for the State and the Circuit Court in that
decided that the TO which Lynch belonged, usually
designated by his name was the lawful Returning Board
and this decision has been repeatedly affirmed by the
District and the Supreme Courts Of the State. Having
no opportuny or power 10 the votes and the
exieencies of the demanding immediate deGisOn


conceye to be my duty " recognize those persons as


elected who received and held their credentials 10 Office
from what then appeared 20 be- and has since been
decided by the Supreme Court Of the State to be- the
legal Returning Board.


Conformably TO the decisions Of this Board full set
of state officers has been installed aud legislative AS
e1nby Organized constituting, II not de jue at least


de fact0 government which since some time IN Dece
her last has had of the Offices and been exer
lngtbe usual powers Of government; but opposed to
this has been another government claiming to control
tbe affairs OF the State and which has TO some extent
been Dro forna organized Recent investigation OF the
said election has developed many frauds and for
eees s 10 make it doubtful what candidates received
majority of the votes actually cast and in view OF
these facts variety of action has been proposed.


Ihave no specfc recommendation to make upon the
subject but II there is any practical way df removing
these difficulties by legislation, then earnestly request
that such may be taken at the present session Oh
Congress 1t seems advisable that should state now
what shall feel bound TO pursue in reference to
the matter In the Of action by Congress al TINS
time subject TO any satisfactory arrangement that may
be made by the parties to the controversy which, OF all
things, Is the most desirable IL will be my duty 50 iar
may be necessary for 70 act TO adhere t. that
Government heretofore recognized by me. To judge OF
the election and qualification Of its members The *
elusive vroynce Of the Senate it 10 asO tho eGcusYo