New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-21
VOLUME VIII-NO. lC
fCommunicated.I
GOVERNOR KELLOGG.


The press of New Orleans has Of late
contained so much of harsh criticism on
the ''sins of commission and omission
alleged against our chief executive, that /
am constrained, in spirit of justice and
fair play, to write something in his vindi-
cation. He seems to be cursed with
Foes uick to blame and friends afraid 70 praise
for though the papers have, for some days
past, teemed with his abuse, few have been
the words spoken in defense or explanation
of his conduct.
Having been a member of the lower
house during the past session of the Legis-
lature, l can, from personal knowledge,
fatty contradict many of the loose charges
made against the Governor, and especially
that one which asserts that he lcbbied the
last election laws through the Legislature.
l will first state the only occasions or
which Governor Kellogg ever labOred on
the floor of the House to effect the passage
of legislation. The first time was when the
funding bill was in jeopardy by reason of
jealousy between two rival and cOntending
factions in the House. He then came to us
and worked faithfully, diligently and ener-
geticaliy TO cOnsummate a measure SO vaiu-
able, 30 absolutely necessary to cure the
crippled, almost helpless, condition of Lou
isiana. The thanks of the people of the
State are due and are given to Governor
Kellogg for his wise and manly action in
this matter. My constituents, white and
~colOred. without exception, and ninety nine
per cent of the citizens of the State approve
the funding bill; its only opponents are the
the soulless Shylocks who, having acquired
their bonds in speculation and fraud, would
now demand payment unto the uttermost
.farthing," though it exhausted the lfeblOOd
OF our beloved State. Governor Kellogg
stood between these rapacious birds Of
prey and the taxpayers of Louisiana, and
when we cease to be grateful to him for his
services we will fail to appreciate the merits
of benefactOr.
The only other instance of lobbying. on
the part of the Governor, was when we had
under consideration the several bills re-
commended by Democratic City Council.
for the reformation of the treasury and
affairs of the city of New Orleans. He
then came again, as the champion of the
people, and fearing some selfish or un-
worthy motive in some leading and corrupt
member might lead to a defeat or modifica-
ton OF those measu res, he remained on the
floor of the House, to insure their passage
and their integrity. as they came from the
city government and the prominent, inteli-
gent citizens who had prepared them.
Governor Kellogg did not lobby through
the new election laws. They were intro
duced in the House near the close of the
session by the Hon. John Gair, who, in
presenting them, said of the bills, that
they had already passed the Senate unani-
mously, and they contained only slight and
necessary notifications of existing laws
They were considered and passed nemine
contradicente, the Democrats not even
r. a fhair Js,,f,n r,,r,,t
reading of the bills.
Governor Kellogg was again on the floor
of the House during the last nights session,
but he was there to watch against surprise, |
to protect the people from basty and COR |
rupt legislation. During the long discussion |
on the iniquitous and unconstitutional |
venue bill, which was SO vigorously and |
successfully assaiied by Governor Hahn,
Judge DumOnt and Representative Harris, |
Governor Kellogg said to me: Il am glad |
the House has been occupied SO long with
this matter, because it has saved Us from the |
passage of some stupendous jobs" The |
shed bill, and other plundering schemes
and monopolies, had been crowded out, and
the Governor very properly congratulated
himself on the circumstance.
Now as to the pardoning power said to
have been so excessively exercised by Gov
'rnor Kellogg. Ii he has erred here, the
I
is tried, convicted and SEN
.enced-is paying the penalty prescribed
)y law; when 10! here come the very people
" hose laws he has violated, the jury who
rled, the attorney who prosecuted and the
udge who condemned him, backed by
enators and representatives from the very
ocality where the crime was committed,
lsking, praying, impOrtuning the Governor
or his clemency ana pardon. A Governor
must be more or less than man to refuse
uch an application, protected as he is by |
he subsequent investigation and action OF |
he Senate, and L assert that he has never
xercised the pardOning power except un-
er such influences. A partisan press in
'ew Orleans may criticise and condemn;
imed to weaken and destroy Gov
rnor Kellogg, but we of the coun-
ry, who toll for our living in sun
nd in rain, while these lazy critics |
nIoy the luxurious comforts of city life,
nd thrive by pandering to that baser
ualIty of our nature which loves the evil
'ord spoken of a neighbor. We speak our
nreserved appreciation of the administra-
on of Governor Kellogg. He has reduced :
le State debt; he has taken off part OF
le load of taxation that was crushing us
ut OF existence; he has contrasted the ex- t,
avagance of his predecessors with the .
'onomy of his own administration; he has .
etoed unconstitutional and objectiona ole :
gslatiOn; he has defeated schemes in |
,nded for the spoiation of the people; he
as given ready ear to the complaints of
le suffering, and has listened with defer |
ice and compliance to the counsels of the
Isest and best.
Had it not been for the financial distress n
at has pervaded the country from Maine !
California, followed py the present dis n
trous and ruinous overflow of the fairest q
'rtion of our State, we would to-day enjoy s
g brightest prospect known to Louisiana !,
nee her " swords were turned into pruning n
'oks." say, in conclusion, remove from ;,
the administration of Governor Kellogg. h
lnul the funding bill, restore to us our
'bt and our taxes as they existed before r.
J brought us relief, and there would be II
evasse in our levee of protection, whose r,
'ening would let pour down on us flood a
disasters that would sweep away every a
terest, agricultural and commercial, leav- 8,
g US only destitution and despair, where
now have hope and the promise of II
tier future. COUNTRY MEMBER.