The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-04-04
Cotton Robberies.

The Southern people have been given
over to the tender mercies OF a set of plum
derers. Day by day they are being robbed
Of their substance by Federal officials; and
so ground down are they by the tyranny Of
every little dog in office, that they are ac-
tually afraid, in many instances, to raise the
cry oflstop thief! Where the courage to
brave the terrors of small satrap is not
wanting, The plundered man panses in the
exposure of the wrong put upon him, be-
cause it has been put III a fashion SO skill
full as to make his appeal in vain The
cotton subscribed to the Confederate Treas
Jury is one ofthe most fruitful sources of
the present robberies by Federal officers.
The rewards given sub-agents and inform.
ers for the seizure Of that property are so
great that they have resulted in q general
system Of PERJURY and plumber. A cores
pendent writing to us on the subject says:
Suppose Ihave two hundred bales sold
or said to have been sold, to the Cunfede-
rate Government: A contemplate appoin-
tee of the Treasury gives me rotice that
they are seized; and then, before he reports
the seizure, another fellow comes to me
and offers not to report if / will sell him the
whole at q moderate place, or give him one
third to release the cotton. He adds: If
you will not accept one or the Other Of
these propositions / must report itand you
will dose all." And thus does the system
of Federal Administration at the South
constitute a fruitful source Of plundering
not only the unfortunate people of that
section, but also esen the General Govern
IAent!i a 4
Hest It win be said that the planter liable
to be iptilaidated into the sacrifice Of his
cotton, has an appeal To the higher aathor-
tiles. Very trus. He undoubtedly has
that right. But what is it worth id pfae-
tice? Hear the words Of q letter sent us
Oh the subject: Suppose The officer who
has to pass upon the right was interested
in the proposition, what chance have be-
fore him for my rights? Suppose ! state
the proposition made ME by the fellow who
seeks to obtain my cotton at a nominal
price, who would listen to nae? All par
ties would deny it. The officer who is sp-
pointed to adjudicate it would shut his
ears !" being, no doubt, the associate Of The
other. But the cotton is, in FACT condemn
ed beforehand, and is thus placed id d fu.
sition under which the real owner is embar-
raised with The onus probandi! Theseiz-
ure is made; the cetton sent to market,
and the owner left no other option than to
prove property subsequently, in face Of the
tremendous rewards bywhich the witnesses
In the case are suborned to perjury? This
is crying evil. Senator Davis was Per.
fectly correct when declaring in Congress
that the Government fhas been robbed in
the matter Of Confederate cotton to the
extent Of millions by its own agents He
might also have added, THAT the plundering
of which the Confederate cotton is made
the vehicle, hds been carried on to anF ex-
tent that has inaamed the passions Of many
q good man in the South. If the Senator
wishes to do good service to the 'rreasu
ry, and to thousands of people WHO arr
being robbed daily Of their substance BY
Treasury informers or agents, he will per
sist in his call fora committee Of homes
nlehl,, with power not only to make oinqidf,
nth the facts, but in order to bring then
out fully, TODD 80 under gdarahteeslof pro
lection to the Witnesses N. Y. News