New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-19
WASHINGTON. u. C.. Nav 1870

SIR: james r. Casey. the present collect
or of the port of New Orleans, was appoint
ed to that office without recommendation
from, or consultation with, any Republican
of the State Of Louisiana. He was compar
atively unknown to the Republican party
and people of that State.
SO happy were the Republicans in having
national administration adhering to the
principles of Justice, and atforiiny an AS.
surance that peace and order would be re-
stored, SO that they could in future adyo.
cate and vote their sentiments in security.
that, although dissatisfied with this app1int.
ment, they would not complain or do apy
act tending to disturb harmonious relations
with the administration. but, on the contra
~, they unitedly resolved to do all IN their
power to support. this unacceptable ap-
polntee, anu 10 make the situation as pleas
ant as possible to all parties concerned.
MIR. Casey, before and at the time of his
entrance into office, was well advised that
the officers and employees in the New Or
leans CustOmhOuse had been very largely
supporters OF the administration Of Andrew
johnson and adherents of The Democratic
party. He voluntarily promised that he
would, as rapidly as was consistent with
the public interests, remove all such, and
put Ill their places reliable and pronounced
Republicans.
This promise gave The tried men of Louis
lana high hopes that meritorious actions
were to be recognized and rewarded. Tie
Republicans sought in every way to place
before hun the names of good and compe-
tent men-such as were destitute. from hav-
ing been prescribed and hunted tor their
political oplnl"ns-and bore in charitable
spirit his fabricated excuses for DELAY in
complying with his promises.
For many weary months Mr.. Casey re-
tanned n office large numbers of men who
were pronounced Democrats, and many
who were promoters Of the cruelties and
0utrages which had been practiced upon
men who supported the standard bearers OF
the Republican party of the nation. The
Republicans protested and demonstrated in
vain. His excuses for his course were Oft
repeated and trivial. His sense of proprietv
ana OF Obligations was SO apparent. and
the duplicity of his conduct became so alb
horrent, that he justly grew to be obnox-
ious to Republicans generally.
Yielding hesltatingly to the general de
mands OF their party, the Republican mem
bers OF Congress from the State represented
to the honorable the Secretary of the Treas
ury the condition Of affairs by a written
statement, signed by them. and which was
filed in January last.
subsequently there have been placed on
file i'll the Treasury Department the follow
ing papers demanding tie removal OF Mr.
Casey: The resolutions of the Republican
State Central Committee unanimously
adopted committee composed OF most
eminent citizens and pronounced Repub-
LEANS: a telegram signed by nearly every
individual member of that committee: the
resolutions OF a press convention. composed
OF all the editors OF Republican newspapers
in that State: numerous letters and tele-
grains from leading and influential Rp,uh-
licans, and resolutions from several Rrpub
iican clubs.
In addition, the Republican members of
Congress from that State. i'll repeated per-
sonal interviews. have communicated to
the Secretary of the Treasury the fact that
Mr.. Casey is obnoxious and justly so. toithe
Republicans OF that State and expressed
their desire that he be removed
Ihereupon lie department SCI. 2