New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-11
NEW ORLEANS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY
GOyERNOR WARMOTH's TESTIMONY

GOVERNOR wARMOTH's TESTIMONY
Opinion of Newspaper Correspondent
The well informed correspondent OF the
New York Herald sent the following dis
patch to that paper from this city on the
sixth instant:
New ORLEANS, February 6, 1S72-Gov-
ernor Warmoth reappeared before the con-
gressiOnal committee of investigation to-
day, and was kept on the witness stand for
seven consecutive hours, which, with the
six hours yesterday, make total OF thir-
teen hours consumed in receiving his evl-
dence. His evidence to-day was OF the most
searching and critical character, each mem
Der in turn putting him through the most
trying rOss-examinatiOn. The result OF
the two days investigation shows clearly
that Warmoth has not only right on his
side, but that he is master of the situation,
and by far the ablest man of all those con-
nected with the pending contest. His testl-
mony and that Of the opposite side, taken
last week, make complete history OF the
troubles agitating this State, and bear out
the former statement of your correspondent,
that the whole fight is tempest IN a tea
pot, brought about by the politicians in
scramble tor control.
In cross-guestioning deal of partisan
feeling was manifested, the Democratic
members straining every nerve to make
point for their party, and the Republicans
using all their ingenuity to protect their
interest. Both sides came out OF the action
bruised and battered, and Warmoth, lgnOr-
ing both by fighting simply his own battle,
showed clearly that in all the corruption
and bad government both Republicans and
Democrats were hand and glove. In his
statements about President Grant he was
guarded and extremely cautious. charging
that the main cause of the trouble was to
be attributed to him, and whether his ac-
ton was Intentional or unintentiOnal he
could not say; but he thought Collector
Caseys relationship and Grants personal
dislike to him naturally made him favor
Casey, and that Casey had grossly misled
him.
He showed clearly that the brains and
money used against him were furnished by
federal officials, and that the removal of
these officials would restore harmony in the
dence in his administration. Taking up
the leaders of the opposition, who are sail
ing under cries of reform he created
sensation by charging, under oath, the cor
ruption they are guilty of. Beginning with
Mr. Carter, the leader. he charged that for
his influence as Speaker of the House in
securing the passage OF bill granting aid
to the Mobile, New Orleans and Texas
Railroad, of which Oakes Ames, ex-GOv-
ernor Morgan and Secretary Delano are
large owners, he was made attorney for
said road at salary of $40, 900 year, and
has received the first years salary without
doing an hours work. This he secured by
pocketing the bill after its passage, and re-
tusing his signature until his demand for
reward was granted. He is also attorney for
the New Orleans, Jackson and Great West
ern Railroad. at an annual salary OF Soo0o,
doing no service except to blackmall the
company in such a manner as to compel
them to retain him in their service. He was
also pecuniaTily interested in the Lou
isiana levee bill, the sugar shed bill, and the
gulf steamship bill, all before the Legisla-
ture while he was Speaker. He also showed
that during one session, while Carter was
Speaker, the House of Representatives cost
the State nearly SS00,0O0, an average of
$1,000 for each member, the session lasting
only sixty days. Some of the members of
the Legislature acting with Carter, and
who are now crying reform, drew as much
as S60OC and $1,000 for mileage alone.
A man named Ray, a member of the SEN
ate and a prominent refOrmer, received
$Ji6,000 in State bonds in aid of railroad
bill he passed through the Legislature The
on these bonds in default of Mr.. Rays pay
ment of the same. Ray also received
$4,000 for revising the State statutes. He
framed the bill had the same passed in
the Legislature. He also acted as champion
Of the Louisiana Levee Company in the
Legislature, and after the passage of the
bill was made president of the company, at
an annual salary of $4,000. He is also
contractor for the building of a new State
House, the bill authorizing the same having
passed the Legislature by his aid.
Mr.. Herwig. a deputy collector OF Gus
toms and a member of the State Senate and
another retormer, is an incorporation in the
Levee Shed Company. Mr. Casey. the col
lector OF the port, was also interested IN the
Levee Shed bill and was custodian of the
corruption fund used to pass the same
through the Legislature. He was also in
the New Orleans Warehouse bill and his
office was the place OF meeting of the direc-
tors of the company. United States Mar
shall Packard, another reformer, was man
who offered member Of the Legislature a
bribe, and who caused to be proposed and
| introduced into the Legislature bill pro-
| viding for a NicOlsOn pavement. which
! would have cost the State 81 ,2oOU0O. and
| which the Governor was offered $4,000 to
| sign. He refused the bribe aud vetoed the
! bill.
Mr.. Lowell. United States postmaster,
| the most active of Warmoths enemies and
| a prominent refOrmer, was champion OF
the Ship Island Canal bill, which pocketed
all the swamp lands in the vicinity of New
Orleans and the draining funds of the city.
| The Governor refused to tell how much he
| is worth, but said he made $4,000 before
| he was elected Governor by speculation in
| State bonds. He presented document
| showing that the CustOmhOuse people,
when Governor Dunn was alive, attempted
coalition with the Democracy against
him (Warmoth). on basis Of $4,000 black
votes to 10000 white votes. He also pre-
sented document signed by State Sena
tor, saying that United States Marsha
Packard told him that if his party failed te
oust Warmoth President Grant had prom
ised them martial law and an enabling act
This Packard officially denies. He also
charges the telegraph company with tam
pering with his dispatches to Washington
during the trouble.