The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-12-25
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1872.


early admission. They are called tn
order by the United States Marshal,
and informed that he is instructed by
the State Committee, of which he is
chairman. to nominate n gentleman
whom he chose for tempo, airy chair
man.
This State committee, let it be re-
membercd, has among its members, in
addition to the United States Marshal,
the Collector of Customs of the city OF
New Orleans, the Surveyor Of that
Port, the Port Wardens, Assessors of
Internal Revenue. Deputy Collectors
of the parish Of Orleans, the Collector
of Customs of the city of Shreveport,
aud enough other officials to control
its actions. At once a Committee of
Credentials is appointed from, a memo
randum placed by the United States
Marshal in the hands of the temporary
chairman, and the body adjonrns to
await the action Of this committee.
The work of examining the creden-
tials Of two hundred aud fifty mem
bers requires more than twenty-four
hours. Delegates duly elected are
asked the question whether ifadmitted,
they will support this United States
Senator for nomination as Governor.
Those who agree to do so are prompt
ly admitted, while enough Of these
who refuse are rejected to mako his
nomination sure. In many instances
Federal employees, non residents of
the parishes they claim to represent
are placed OH the roll as delegates in
the place of those that have been ex-
communicated. The chairman of the
Committee of Credentials is n collector
of internal revenue in one of the rich
est districts of the State, willie one of
the other members is Il United States
Marshal.
Meantime the canvass for nomnai-
tons goes on. The friends of one of
the opposing candidates call upon the
collectoreof the Poit of New Orleans
"a brotlcr in Jaw of the President Of
the United States), and ask him to say
to a number of delegates that they are
permitted to vote for whom they choose
in their party for Governor, and that
they will not be disturbed in their po-
sitions in the Custom House if they ex-
ercise such freedom of choice.
The Collector peremptorily refuses
to give this assurance, aud the dele
gates retire with the conviction that
their continuance in the employment
of the National Government depends
upon their support Of the United States
Senator, the candidate Of the Federal
officials. After twenty four hours de-
lay, the body packed in this way as.
>sembles in the hall and when large
numbers of rejected delegates, com
prising some Of the ablest and best of
the leaders, rise one by one to protest
against the committees report, their
voices are drowned by the clangor of a
brass band and the screams Of 4 crowd
Of DULLES imported from New Orleans
for the purpose.
The permanent organization ia then
effected. The Surveyor of the Port of
New Orleans is made permanent Presi-'
dent, and the chief deputy Of the Uni
ted States Marshal permanent Sec,eta-,
ry, while the other OFFICERS, including
the Sergeant.at-Arms, are ali Tor near-
~ ally Federal Office. holders. They
call of the roll discloscs file factstlat
q majority present were holders Of
Office under the United States Govern
ment. The balloting begins, and fin.
ally The result is announced, aud the
uuitel States Senator is nominated hy
Il majority of one vote.
Then comes the campaign. Tic
Custom House is filled to overflow
ing with the men employed, not for
any use they could possibly he to their
country, but for supposed political in
fluence.
They are sent through the State as
canvassers and pullers of wires. A
brass band, whose members are paid
as employees of the Government, dis
courses music at the meetings of the
candidates. An assessment is laid up
on every emf loye and officer of the Uni
ted States within the State, TO pay
other expenses Of the campaign. A
newspaper is printed as the organ OF
the Senator supported yby an assess
ment of ! per cent deducted eacl,
month by the heads Of departments
from the pay Of employees Of the Ma
tional Government in New Orleans.
A United States Judge Ito his surprise
and disgust, hope,) finds himself sum
moned from his distant home in Ala
bama under an election law introduced
by this same Senator, and hastencd
through Congress by the aid Of the
Administration, and Known as "Kel.
logs's election law" The Judge is
summoned to appoint supervisor o.
registration for every parish, and two
commissioners Of election ,at every