The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-09
Radical Rule in Louisiana.

uc IcsuIt VI IdulCdl Tule III Lnc Ic-
constructed" States can scarcely be re-
garded satisfactorily, il the figures COL
lected by a journal as able and careful
as the New York Nation (Republican)
be correct, While the radical press and
Congressional committee witnesses,
truthful as Jack Falstaff, are pouring
forth complaints of Ku-Klux clans, and
fights with linen in buckram" and mis-
begotten knaves in Kendall green" who,
30 these witnesses allege, are endeavor-
ing by dark and murderous deeds to
destroy the honest administrators Of
governments so kindly provided by self
sacrificing carpet-baggers from the
north. Mark how plain tale" the
Nation tells of radical knavery in Louis
lana:
ut is understood that the subcom-
mittee appointed by the Congressional
committee which was ordered to inves.
tigate the affairs of the Ku-Klux Khan
in the South are going TO report, and
are going to report that there is such a
thing as the Khan in existence; that it
does attack people for their politics; is
com posed of Conservatives and con-
tains no Republicans; has committed
many most bloody and shameful out
RACES, and that the Ku-Klux law was
necessary and is beneficial. We our
selves have no doubt that the passage
of the Ku-Klux law was inexpedient
and wrong; and we shall wait for some
time before believing that the Law. has
practically been of any benefit, all the
time believing that any benefit it has
brought us has been very dearly bought.
AS for the rest Of the report as above
summarized, we are ready to accept it
as the truth, and nothing but the truth |;
butt is not at all the whole truth. Here
are some figures from Louisiana which
we consider strictly germane to the
matter which the committee has in
hand, and which will, at any rate, get
some Of the countrys attention: Be.
tween 1850 and 1860, the State tax in
Louisiana ranged from twenty-one cents
on a hundred dollars to twenty-nine
cents. In 1865 and 1866, it was thirty
seven and a half cents; in 1867
and 1868, it was filty-two and
a half cents; in 1869, it was sew
enty-fve; in 1870, it was 81. As, and for
this year it will be considerably more
than 81. Next, it is to be considered
that while the taxes have been thus in
creasing, the States expenditures have
been constantlyin excess OF the receipts.
Mr.. James Graham, the State auditor,
certifies that the excess in the fiscal
year ending in 1871 is $S,77S,6lS.l5-
making the total debt of the State
nearly $49,0OO,O0O. At the breaking
out OF the war, Louisiana had debt OF
SIC, OOO,0 900; in 1868 this was $l4, 500,
0OG in 1869, $32, 100000, in 1870, Sal
100000 and, as we have said, in June,
1871, nearly SAC, 100000. But formerly,
before 1860, a sixty days' session of the
Legislature cost from 100000 to $500,
OO0; the regular session and extra SEES
sion of 1870 cost more than $3.50, OOG
and the regular session of 1871 cost
more than $9,0000OO. The State treas
ury supported at the cost, in 1870, OF
$432, 900, and in 1871, Of nearly $4OO,
OOO about thirty sheets newspapers in
name), printed in the country districts,
and, in great part, conducted by mem
bers OF the Legislature. The State is,
in short, as North Carolina has been,
az South Carolina also has been, and
as nearly every Southern State has been,
the prey, since 1865, of grossly and
shamelcssly corrupt governments!
whose officers have made fortunes, and
of rings Of railroad and other specula
| tors