The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-27
CARD OF COL. NORTON.


The vague charges and broad insinuations
which have been directed against Mr.. E. E.
Norton, in connection with his conduct as
assignee in bankruptcy. are at length met by
that gentleman with the card Of explanation
which is published below. We say card Of
explanation, for it can scarcely be called a
defense, since there was no statement of his
aecusers supported by approximations of such
nature as TO put him upon his defense.
The succinct and lucid account Of the char
acter, purpose and uses of his office, of the
extent of its business and responsibilities,
and of his relations to parties
interested in bankruptcy it is only
proper to say, puts those who have charged
him indefinitely with malfeasance and cor
ruption in Office in a position where they
must either bring specific proof to back their
assertions, or confess, by retraetion or by ST.
lence, that they were without foundation
in fact The attacks upon Mr.. Norton
have been made through the editorial
columns Of some of the city papers. He
has no such means of reply. But he
S entitled to hearing, and it is but
Just that he should be heard through the
press. Hence we freely accord the space
which his card occupies. Perhaps we may
have again occasion to refer to the matter.
NEW ORLEANS, June 26, 1865.
To the Editor Of the Crescent:
have thought it proper. in response To the
exsggtrstiOn and misTepreseD sation with which
some of our papers are teeming with reference to
m 4 fire of CfiirIal ngeiOuaa in bankruDfpV
mr. ke through the press brief and simple state
ment.
lIe law gives every creditor the right,
upon application 10 the court, to require any
ss.ignee 10 give bonds. / have ever he'd myself
Tesoy 10 comply with the law, and to give DO ads
in any amount which might be required.
The only case 10 which any creditor has asked
fer bonds was presented yesterday, and This morn
Hg ! gave a bond for $50 900, with Patrick
Irwin G. f. Girardey aud Mirhael GernOn as sure
ties. There has been no need Of unpleas ant com
mfnt. but all that any creditor had 10 do, II de-
suOus OF having NE give bond, was to instruct
rs attorney to sex tor il, and If there was any
excess IN the charges OF the marshal, the clerk,
| egis,er or myself, the solicitor of the mplain.
Lg party had a direct and certain remedy. He
could. ~ motion, bring the subject TO the atten.
ii,n of the court.
The statement Is made so frequently that its
very reteraiiun, # uBcontrAdicted, might give 1t
the appearance OF Truth. that as assignee | have
received millions Of dollars into my custody.
Now in TACT, the whole amOunt of money which
have received in all the bankruptcy cases. ex
| elusive of that expended under orders OF the
court IN ordinary disbursements, Is s42,09l AZ.
| The assets are, indeed, normally large, nut in
reality D. every one cOnversant with the cases
knows, ATE 10 the great majority of estates well
o eh without value.
! Il la. been charged, too, that I am not citizen
| 81 this state; can only say that I came here
| early in 1868 IN the federal army, and since then
have truly resided here any person born here.
NY interests are all with the people of Louisiana.
The terms of the order appointing me make me
assignee when noneis elected, and additional when
! enc or more are chosen. as we'll as provision Al
assignee until one is selected This order is pre-
ci-ely the same with that made by Judge Batch.
| fOId of the southern district of New York, as
well IS by other United States judges. and Is
made in the interest Of the public and the pub
| lie convenience. IL secures system ia all the
bankrupt proceedings and readiness of access to
all q them; for instead of the offices of the as
sigrees being located at Shreveport or 0pelousas-
| scattered ell over the Stste-and being conducted
in vsried system they sre. now, all in one place
| and kept on 3 uniform plan, so that information
on any subject pertaining 10 bankrupt proceeding
| cAn he obtained 81 once. The advantages TO the
| puSho spriBgng from this arrangement will, am
| sure, be telt more and more "a time passes.
| would in conclusion. state that upon the
| application Of any one interested in aoy case N
| which J am assignee, | will give bond, with
| uHdt ubted snTeues, in an amount exceeding by
| One.half the value Of the estate intrusted to me
| Z