Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-02-03
NEW ORLEANS.

NEW ORLEANS, February 3.-The COM
mittee appointed by the citizens meeting
in Lafayette Square, Monday night,
waited on Governor Yarmouth yesterday
afternoon, and presented the resolutions.
The Governor, replying, said he was glad
personally to see them, but desired, how
ever, to say something relative to that
meeting. in justice to himself and the
government he represented; stated that
he had vetoed great many bills making
subsidies and grants to individuals aud
companies, which in few instances had
been passed over the veto; that there
were many in the Legislature ignorant of
the manipulations of lobbyists-men who
have been recently enfranchised-they
have to be taught and instructed. II
think, gentlemen, that if you will give me
the support and assistance which you
ought to give, from your standing in this
community, shall be able to restrain
these people from running into the ex-
cesses complained ofin these resolutions.
Let me make one complaint against
you, gentlemen, as the representatives of
those in whose behalf you appear You
charge the Legislature with passing cor
ruptly many bills looking to tha personal
acknowledgement Of individuals and cor
porstions. Let me suggest to you that
these individuals and corporations are
your very best people. For instance,
this bank bill that is being lobbied
through the Legislature now by the hard.
est kind Of work, w have been able to
defeat that bill twice in the House, and
now 1t is up again. Who are doing 1t /?
Your bank presidents. The best people
of the city of New Orleans are crowdipg
the lobbies of tie hegislatsre, and con-
sinpaliy whispering brides into the ears
of these men to pass this measure. How
are we to defend the State against the
interpretation Of these people, who are
potent in their influence in this commu-
nifty :"
The Governor went on at length,
nssI::a1g disclosures as to how various
measures we're engineered through the
Legislature by these same good citizens,
to sign one OF which he had been offered
0,0a0 by one party, and in addition,
Mayor Conway, of this city, had offered
him any consideration to sign it. The
bill was vetoed. The bill here referred
to was the FIVE million gold bond bill for
reieeming city money. He was also
offered $4,000 to sign the Nicclson
pavement bill, which he vetoed. The
Governor complained of the refusal of
the leading men Of the State
to counsel with him, although he had
invited them to do so, and said I" i
make this complaint to you as On indi-
vidusl. make it as q citizen Of Louis
lana. came here to settle among you,
aud BY accident have been elevated to
the position now occupy; and If you
and the $500 citizens who wers present
at the meeting which sent you here
would only give their support to me and
honest members Of the Legislature, there
will be no difficulty in restraining i'm
proYident legislation. | think / have
right to ask It, aud il you will give il ]
assure you that many Of the evils com
planned of will be avoided. "
In the course Of his remarks the Gov
ernor stated that Auditor Wickliffe had
robbed the State Of half million dollars,
and said in conclusion it was bis purpose
to administer the affairs Of government
and State to the best Of bis ability for
the interest and welfare Of the people.