The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1872-08-24
Card From Hon. Il. W. Baker of Franklin.
FRANKLIN PARISH, Aug. 20, 1872.
Col. G.. ". OkcC1'tt11ie.

@. II. Morrison, against me and many
other Democratic members of the
House of the late Legislature.
The Picayune of the 9th inst, con-
tains cards from Messrs. Barrow, Hy-
ans, Shumakcr and others, denying
this charge in the most positive and
emphatic terms, as false and malicious.
Now, as these are gentlemen of I'M
doubted veracity, / might rest the case
here, feeling myself eXonorated from
the stigma SO ingeniously heralded by
Col. Morrison.
1t is not only due. myself, but my
friends, and more especially my con-
stituents, that look little farther in
to this affair, feeling fully adequate to
the task, though it is the first opportu-
nifty ever presented me, to figure be-
fore the public in this capacity. But,
Sir, enter upon this responsibility,
without fear, or favor, DESTROYS of moth
ing but peace on earth, and good will
man.
The first intimation l had Of this
charge, came to me in whispers, from a
point, that Col. Morrison was giving
currency to n report that I with other
Democratic members, had accepted
bride, and he was going to publish us.
[ replied that no doubt the Colonel
find that 1 was mistaken. It was his
delight to expose us. In the first place,
Col. Morrison did not choose to give
his informants names, whOwas no 9TH
er, than His IIxcellcncy, II. G.. War
moth. He was careful not to mention
who conducted him to the Office Charles
II. Howard, and after being shown what
purported to be II receipt, Col. Morri-
son says, ssSir, this is no receipt
And yet, with this conviction, admit
ing that it was no receipt, he comes
out with his publication, manifestly
patriotic to unsuspecting Democrats.
Col. Morrison was delegate, as well
as myself, to the June Convention, in
the city of New Orleans, and not hay
ing had things his own way, where do
you next find him Closcted with His
Excellency II. G. Warmoth, and the
delectable Charles r. Howard!
Now, 1 ask, with all due Difference
to the Governor, because it is allowable
in him to make as many cats-paws as
possible, and although he has caught
the Col. on his silver hook, he will
find that he is mistaken III his sag;tcity
as a political trixtcr-I have no COM
plants of Mr.. Howard because he has
denied to Col. Barrow of knowing
anything about the charge PUBLISH ed
by Col. Morrison, )-now, 1 ask, is this
the man to save the State, by purging
the Democratic party,-a man by his
own acts proven to be in the interest
of Gov. Warmoth? And how docs he
dare, With all of his doubIe-GeaIing, and
efirontery, :tstelnpt to thrust upon the
people the wilful charge of bribery, of
the members of the House of represent
tativc:
The Colonel had better look to his
own record.
In conclusion, let me say l supported
the levcc bill, upon its merits. The
river members were all in favor of it..
The hill members were, at first, oppos-
cd to the bill, but wanted railroads.
+ We mutually agreed to support both,
tceming it absolutely necessary to the
development of the material interest
of the State. Now, again, this lcvec
bill is an Incorporated institution, which
every man voted for, Mr.. Moncurc,
of Caddo, not excepted, although he
is not charged with bribery. Now, if
Mr.. Moncurc voted for the bill with
out pay, is it not reasonable to suppose
| that it WAS Il good bill"
Again, according to the Colonel's
statement, II members received &1I 900.
| kifty-thrCc members was considered Il
quorum, in GOV. Warmoth's bogus
Legislature, and upon this they repeal
dthe Election, Registration, Constab-
ulary, Metropolitan Police and other
laws, but soon discovered that it took
81 to make II quorum, and the repealed
laws all fell, Just as the Governor in
tended they should.
We will take 81 to be Il quorum, Il
majority OF which passes Il bill, except
OH II suspension of the constitutional
rule or over the Governors veto which
requires 4 two thirds vote. Now, 81
being y quorum, and igct pay, makes
100000 over paid. | ask, is it reasona-
bic to suppose that any business man,
or set of men, would pay 100000 more
than was necessary: 1t was known
that all the river members We're in
favor of the bill, and why should they
give me $1,000 for that which they
knew l was going to do any way: Sir,
it is prepostcrous.
Again, how does it happen that
these II members are, Us l am inform
ed, Anti-Warmoth men, and every
known friend of his, viz: Carr, Devices,
Ong, Tom Green Davidson and others,