o any satisfactory arrangement that may
be made by the parties to the controversy, which of all things is the
most desirable, it will be my duty, so far as it may be necessary for
me to act, to adhere to that government heretofore recognized by me.
To judge of the election and qualifications of its members is the
exclusive province of the Senate, as it is also the exclusive province
of the House to judge of the election and qualifications of its members;
but as to State offices, filled and held under State laws, the decisions
of the State judicial tribunals, it seems to me, ought to be respected.

I am extremely anxious to avoid any appearance of undue interference
in State affairs, and if Congress differs from me as to what ought
to be done I respectfully urge its immediate decision to that effect;
otherwise I shall feel obliged, as far as I can by the exercise of
legitimate authority, to put an end to the unhappy controversy which
disturbs the peace and prostrates the business of Louisiana, by the
recognition and support of that government which is recognized and
upheld by the courts of the State.

U.S. GRANT.

VETO MESSAGES.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 6, 1873_.

_To the House of Representatives:_

I return herewith, for the further consideration of Congress, House bill
No. 2291, entitled "An act for the relief of Edmund Jussen," to which
I have not appended my approval, for the following reasons:

The bill directs the accounting officers to transfer from Mr. Jussen's
account to that of his successor all indebtedness arising from the
loss or destruction or nontaking of warehouse bonds on certain spirits
destroyed by fire. This provision would be wholly ineffective in so far
as it proposes to increase the liability of Mr. Jussen's successor, he
having been appointed subsequently to the destruction of the spirits.
It might operate to relieve Mr. Jussen, but it seems probable that
he is already relieved by the act of May 27, 1872, passed since the
introduction of this bill. That act provides for the rebatement of taxes
on distilled spirits destroyed by fire, except in cases where the owners
of such spirits may be indemnified against tax by a valid claim of
insurance. The relief of the taxpayers of course includes the relief
of collectors from liability caused by failure to take bonds. It does
not appear whether there was any insurance in this case. If not, the
applicant is already relieved; but if there