New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-21
= VERY srFFICIENT ANSWER.


Our felIow-citizen, John H. Kennard,
took occasion lately to address some SEN
sible views to the public through the Times.
Not wishing TO thrust his own name IN
necessarily upon the community, he adopted
the usual custom of taking nom de plume
which happened to be " RefOrmer." Upon
seeing this, one of the Dolly Vardens,
thinking the opportunity good one to
take a tilt at what he hoped would prove an
unresisting adversary, sharpened up his
dagger of lath and made mighty attack
upon Reformer's" letter. Being of g
speculative turn of mind, he signed his
literary bantling g. True Reformer." This
brought upon the head of the unlucky
walled prophet" very stunning thwack
from the doughty knight of the first in
stance. who returned to the lists with his
visor down, so that all the world might see
there was no cOncealment. Without repro
ducing Mr.. Kennard's first letter, We give
that of - True Retormer," and the an
swer he received-as it appeared in the
Times yesterday morning:
INTERRoGATORIEs TO "REFoRMER"
New ORLEANS, July l6, 1872.
To the Editors of the Picayune:
In this mornings edition of the New Or
leans Times a communication appears over
the signature of "RefOrmer.' The people
of this city and State have a right to know
something concerning the character of those
who now so willingly undertake their in
struct1on. would like, therefore, TO put
the following questions to 'RefOrmer:"
= la 1--WE Iva
months, a member of the State Central
Committee of the Democratic party
g Did you leave that high position alb
ruptly, and did you then join any secret pO-
htical combination in this city!
g. Were you not a member of the Reform
party" from its origin, and one Of its promi-
nent members
4. Were you not a candidate before the
conventions in June for the Office of AttOT-
ney General, and did you not fail to secure
their nomination
5. Are you not now in sympathy with the
Liberal party
Plain answers to these questions will be !
of service to the people in showing how
their advisers are themselves influenced.
A TRUE REFORMER.
THE REPLY.
To the frst--Yes.
To the -second-I left the Democratic
ter of declination published at the time,
chief among which were that l then be-
lieved what | now R1l0tC, that as a distinct
party in louisiana it had lost its useful
ness" Whether such leave taking was alb
rupt, is a matter that True RefOrmer" can
answer to suit his own taste.
did not then, before, since or ever join
any secret political organization; have al
ways considered them dangerous in Ee-
nublican government
To the third. l did belong to the Reform
party, and always strOye to secure a com
binatiOn of all elements in the city and
State opposed to Grantism nationally, and
to the Kellogg State ticket since its nOmi-
nation, believing, as still Jeliere, that with
out.such combination the States welfare is
needlessly imperiled. My connection with
national politics was on my individual ac-
count. As a representative of the Reform
party, | used no influences to determine the
cOurse.of RefOrmers as to national matters
beyond the expression Of my individual
views and preferences. Time and the de-
velOpment of events have convinced me
that no good reason longer exists for sep
arating State from national politics.
How prominent | was is better answered
by the public than by myself. Iendeavored
to discharge my duty.
To the fourth. l was candidate before
the committee of conference for the posi-
LlOu u Attorney USueId!, anu am F6laDIV i
informed that | received a handsome vote.
and should have felt honored by receiving
the nomination, as did by the vote. :
| used no electiOneering machinery in the
premises. When asked about it, always an
swered frankly that l was a candidate, and
| gave special instructions to tive or three
friends connected with the committee, who
volunteered to- tell me they would support
me, to withdraw my name at any time if
they found it causing want of harmony.
To the fifth. l am now in sympathy with
the Liberal party, and expect to vote with
them, If the convention presents a good
ticket, if it shall not be my privilege TO
vote with all the good people Of the State
for a single ticket which shall fairly repre-
sent the Democrats, Liberals and Reform
ers, ticket which, in my opinion, would be
certain OF success. Nothing less is safe in
our present situation, and the people in the
country are seriously discouraged and dis
heartened by the unwise action of the Re
form COmmitte, who, without authority,
have precip!tated the united ticket upon
them.
True Reformer" could have obtained
the name of ''Reformer" had he applied at
the Times Office for it, without troubling NE
or the public about it. My name was not
signed simply because thought it unneces-
saTy.
prefer not to fight in ambush, and pre-
ter, also, to know my adversary, but don't
desire to parade my name in the papers,
unless some good may be done thereby.
Expecting you to remove your I'll with
the same Checrfulness that | do, and prom
Sing square answers to all respectful cues
tons, l am yours, respectfully.
JOHN II. KENNARD.