New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-24
THE BOND BRIBERY CASE.

A great deal has been said of late by the
opposition press of this city in relation to
bribery aud corruption in the Legislature
The same standard Of morality which con
demns the man who takes the bribe con
demns him who gives it, and while the com,
munity accuse the members of the General
Assembly of receiving bribes they appear
to be ignorant Of the names of the persons
engaged in Offering them. This iniorma-
ton, in a single instance, We propose here
to supply. The fact that it involves men of
the highest character and standing i'll the
city, men who are ever fearful in their de-
nunciations of bribery and corruption, and
of the alleged robberies Of the revenues of
the State. will be a pleasing reflection to
the Committee of Fifty-one, and afford the
"peoples organ" a fine opportunity for
moral dissertation, for it can not be that be-
cause these men are rich and represent the
1aoneyed aristocracy, that the Picayune
will not dare to say anything about il.
But, en- passant, the Picayane and Times will
permit us to observe that it is because the
rich people, like bankers and merchants.
are net to be trusted with the peoples
treasures, that We desire to keep the govern
ment OF the State in the hands of ''poor
but honest citizens.
The transaction to which the subioined
agreement refers, it will be remembered
was only designed to involve the loss to the
State of three and a haif millions Of dollus.
Here is the document in question:
This agreement, made and entered into
this twenty second day of April, 1869, be-
tween Emile ii. Keynes and Avegno &
Willoz, Of tins city of New Orleans, of the
first part, and the several banks hereinafter
named, represented by their respective
presidents. duly authorized by their Boards
of Directors, OF the second part, witncsseth:
WHEREAS, The said banks are holders
and owners of certain bonds. issued by the
State Of Louisiana, under and by virtue OF
an act of the Legislature thereof, approved
the twenty-third day of January, 1862, en-
titled IAN act to raise money for the State
treasury, etc; and
Whereas. The said Emile H. Keynes and
AvegnO & Nilloz, parties Of the first part,
are desrous and willing to undertake TO
have the validity of SAID bends admitted by
the State, or 20 obtain compensation Tor the
same:
covenanted and agreed by and between
said parties Of the first part and second
part as follows. t. wit:
The said E. II. Keynes and Avegno *
Willoz hereby agree and bind themselves
to use all their influence and exeItions, and
to make every effort, either to obtain some
compensation for the said bonds, or to pro-
cure some relief to the parties OF the second
part holders and owners of said bonds.
Tbnv fnc n ind he Os.AIv ~ M . En n
the necessary advances OF money, and to
bear personally and alone all the cost, eX-
penses and outlay OF money that may be
necessary TO reach the proposed end.
In case the said Emile III. Keynes and
.Avcgno & Wiiloz should succeed in their
cndeavors, either TO have the validity OF
said bonds admitted or TO obtain some com
pensation for the same, by the issue OF new
bonds by the State in lieu of the Old cncs,
then, and in that case, the said parties of
the second part hereby agree and bind
themselves to transfer and turn over III ftIll
ownership to the parties OF the first part,
twenty-five per cent, or one-fourth OF the
whole number Of the saidN bonds which
they now hold and own, in tull co,npenst
ticn for their services in the premises.
In case any of the banks parties 10 this
agreement should not have their bonds III
their posses sion by reason of having sTr-
rendered the same by error 70 the United
States authorities during the war. but hold
the receipts of said authorities for the same,
the said banks agree and bind themselves
to contribute in the same manner their pro
rata out of any new bonds or compensation
they may receive from the State OF Louis
lana in lieu of the old bonds, or of the re-
ceipts Of the United States authorities for
the bonds surrendered by them.
1t is hereby acknowledged and agreed
that the amounts of bonds held bv the State
banks and individuals respectively, as fol
lows:
-, III, .uO Og0