New Orleans Republican., 1868-12-02
TIE personal MOTIVES COxTRAsTED.

The argument to put or not to put the
New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Wes-
tern Railroad in bankruptcy was continued
yesterday by Miles Taylor, who represents
Charles Morgan, the latter having brought
suit in the Sixth District "a State COURT to
foreclose mortgage held by him in the
shape of S24O,o0O of bonds and coupons
against the road. Mr.. Taylor confined his
argument in the following propositions
First, that the road is not in bankrupt
condition. Second, that no acts of bank
ruptcy were committed; no fraudulent
preferences were made by the pay-
ment OF two coupon holders named
in plaintiffs petition. Third, that the
suit of Charles Morgan in the Sixth
District Court, did not necessarily
show an insolvent condition OF the
road. The principal portion of his argu-
ment was directed TO the discussion of the
legal proposition, whether it was contem-
plated by the trainers of the bankrupt act
to include railroad corporations among
those caoable of committing acts of bank
ruptcy." He concluded by paying tribute
to the great worth of Charles Morgan,
''his noble disinterestedness in the welfare
Of the city of New Orleans" and his long
and studied efforts to promote those inter-
ests. He referred particularly to the fact
that wherever the channels of trade were
attempted to be diverted from this city,
Charles Morgan, by his interests, sufi-
GENTLY controlled SO as to secure it.
Mr. Taylor was followed by Mr. William
Grant, of the firm of Fellowes Il Grant,
attorneys for James I. Tucker. He stated
that from The remarks which had fallen from
the lips OF counsel on the opposite side, the
motives of Mr.. Tucker were sought to be
impugned, and that instead of desire to
have this road sold to responsible parties,
and then built, he was actuated. perhaps,
| by selfish aims. Mr.. Grant combatted this
idea, saying "that from the recent enter
| prises Of Mr.. Tucker for the welfare Of this
city, and from his known large interests in
the shipment of cattle over this road to
supply the great West, his record
stood as well as that of Mr.. Charles
Morgan, whom the people of this city
knew was, by the erOrbitdnt charges made
for the shipment Of freight on his steamers
and by his contract with the road, stipulat-
ing to receive three-fourths OF the freight
money earned, destroying the interests OF
the city, and diverting trade to other
channels. He compared the position oc-
enpled by Mr.. Morgan in so zealously de-
tending this suit to that of the wolf, who,
having destroyed the lamb, says, my mo,
tiVes are pure, my thoughts are sincere
and | meant no harm That the idea O.
MIR. Morgan appearing in this suit as de.
Tending the interests of the people O
New Orleans, and Of his known intention
to build this gap in the road, is some
thing that would strike the mind Of
the people of this city as certainly ludi
crous, to say nothing more On the Other
hand, Mr. Tucker bad given positive as.
suranees that this road should be built al
no matter what cost, and without fear O
mourning the enmity of few. He said
ibis was the home of Mr.. Tucker, all his in.
terests were here, that every dollar he
represented was to be used in the prosper
lty OF this city and the welfare of its peo.
pie; that he (Mr. Tncker) saw unless some
step OF this kind was taken, time would be
trittered away and the great trade of Texas
lost; that he had no interest in the South.
ern Pacific Railroad, no desire to have
that road built, and that his Object
was to call the attention of capi
talists to the importance of having this road
finished before other roads were built which
would destroy us and his interests. Com
petition will be free. The sale will be i'm
mediate; those who desire to purchase will
have ample opportunity. He concluded
by saying that his client was willing to lei
the people of New Orleans Judge between
his motives and that of his opponent.
Mr. Billings, attorney for Paul A. Conant
will close the argument to-day. on behalf
of his client, one of the petitioners. -
We adopt the Times report of this and
other court cases. .I.. .- ....