The Fremont Weekly Journal

The Conservative Compromise.

On Friday night the 5th inst., the Conservatives of the Louisiana Legislature held a caucus, and by a vote of 38 to 27 decided to accept the plan of compromise or adjustment drawn up by Mr. Wheeler, of the investigating committee. One of the provisions of the plan was that the Conservative members taking their seats in the Legislature, should refrain from disturbing the Kellogg Administration, or impeaching the Governor for his past official acts, although not asked to approve his administration. As stated above, 38 out of the 65 Senators and Representatives composing the Conservative strength, accepted the plan, but the remaining 27, under the leadership of Wiltz and McEnery, withdrew and held a mass meeting the following evening at which inflammatory speeches were made, and resolutions passed condemning the compromise proposals. These proceedings produced a serious split in the Democratic party of Louisiana, and did more to show the honest, peaceful people where they stood than anything that had taken place. They wanted peace, and being themselves convinced that McEnery was not elected in 1872, they did not wish to have turmoil and strife continue another two years; but the McEnery-Wiltz faction, which had everything to gain by keeping the strife alive were ambitious to continue the contest. So matters stood on Monday, when another caucus was held. The compromise party, supported by the business element of the State stood firm, and finally, on Tuesday, the fire-eaters agreed to the compromise, merely omitting the clause against impeaching the Governor and substituting therefor a provision not to disturb him so long as he was sustained by the president. The Investigating Committee had concluded its labors and returned to Washington on Monday night, Mr. Wheeler only remaining to settle the agreement. At Memphis he overtook the rest of the committee, and on consultation they decided the agreement thus hampered could not be received. It is to be regretted that in the interests of peace the contract as originally drawn could not have received the unanimous sanction of the Conservatives.