New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-02-18
4 LOBBY REMINISCENCE.

John c. Fremon: and several other par
ties are to be criminaily tried next June,
for placing fraudulent bonds Of the Mem
phis and FL Paso railroad on The market.
whereby French citizens were cheated or,
of the sum Of seven millions of francs.
To Governor kellogg is due the credi:
OF first publicly disclosing the swindling
nature oI this now famous financial trans
action. In 1869, General Fremont, at the
head of one OF the most powerful Hobbies
ever organized, was endeayoring TO secure
the re-enactment, with the immense addi-
tioral franchises and subsidies, Of The
Memphis and FL Paso project, with an eX-
tension 10 San Diego, the whole to he
known as the Trans-Continental railroad.
This would have established the line OF
the Southern Pacific along thc thir-
:y-sixth parallel Of latitude, and
left Louisiana forever deprived Of
direct benefits from this great
national enterprise. Governor Kellogg
was then no: only a new Senator bat I"
carpet-bagger, yet, as his works show, not
wholly devoid Of strength. The Fremont
lobby was rich in money and lavish in
promises, yet did Senator Kellogg. almost
alone and unaided, undertake its over
throw, and the final results Of III S effort
are now before the world in the adoption
of the thirty second parallel, or Texas Pa
cifc route. But the struggle was terri
be one. and. Notwithstanding sleepless
nights. untiring energy, and a keen in
quiry into the buried histories o., the vari-
ous Southern Pacific railroad schemes,
that never tagged for moment, all the
opposition were discouraged but the
leader, while the FremonterS were core
spondingly jub.!ant and confident Of sue
cess.
1t was a bitter, cold ana s,eety night in
Washington when the lobby arranged for
the consummation Of its victory. The
occasion had been well chosen, for SEN
ator Kellogg. whom alone they seriously
feared. was suddenly stricken down and
forbidden to leave the hotel by lis ply
s;ciars. \ majority Of tie committee
were known to be favorable to the Trans
Continental. and the committee room was
crowded with happily excited men. But
in one particular, a:d tLat q fatal one.
their calculations Went awry. Senator
Kellogg would not be KEEP. away. Despite
the warnings OF his attendants. he breast
ed the storm sweeping over Capitol hill,
and appeared just in time to claim a
hearing before the decisive vote was put,
it being Well understood that the Senate
would adopt the committees report.
With clearness and precision. and in
language unmistakable, Senator Kellogg
wen, into the history Of the Paris bond
frauds proving by documentary evidence
that tie certificate o. the New FORK Stock
Exchange had been forged. and that even
were the present proposed undertaking 70
be honestly administered it would begin
It's ;}-ccarious existence buriened w;th AZ
immense debt, for which there was 10th
ing bu: lawsuits % Show.
\ thunderbolt La! f..;ieii. Action was !
postponed. and from tina: moment TIE !
tide OF fortune turned IN favor OF thc Rel !
loss bill" upon which t." charter Of he !!
presen: road is based. As conceded 10y |
al who know the facts. the turning point !.
in tie history of this great work. SO full OF |
promise for our Southern metropolis, was |
when the present Governor of LOUISIANA !
risked his life to defend the just claims Of
this people to national sympathy AID !
support,