Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-29
INTERESTING CORREspONDENCE.

In view of the charges freely made
against United States officials in Louisi-
ana. the following correspondence be-
tween S. B. Packard, United States
Marshal at New Orleans, and General
Emory, commanding the United States
troops at that place, is interesting and i'm
portant. The correspondence it will be
seen was occasioned by remarks made by
Senator Schurz in his recent speech,
which it appears were entirely erroneous
and calculated to create bad feeling
towards the officials at New Orleans.
New ORLEANS. Sept, %, 1874.
To Major General w. II. Emory, Command.
ing Department of the Gulf
SIR beg to call your attention, first, to
an extract from the speech of United
States Senator Schurz at ST. Louis last night
as follows AN election for a new Legisla-
ture 10 impending, and that United States
troops are there professediy to enforce the
laws in that elections but whether they are
used impartially or not will depend upon who
controls them. This control will be in a
great measure in the hands of United States
Marshal Packard, who, besides being Marshal,
was one of the principal accomplices of Judge
Durell and Kellogg in the usurpation two
years ago, and is now the managing spirit of
the State Central Committee of the kellogg
party. This lie not fit person to control the
United States troops to be used in that cleo
ton. 1t is of the highest Importance that, es-
pecially under existing circumstances, the
people of Louisiana should not only have a
fair election, but also that they should be
made to feel that .hey shall have enc. The
past performances and the present functions
Of Mr.. Packard are not calculated to inspire
confidence. l am sure the whole country
would applaud an order of the President re-
lieving Mr.. Packard of his official duties and
the substitution of a man of such character
that everybody will believe him incapable of
abusing his power for partisan ends" Sec
ond, to the communication of the Committee
Of Seventy, through r. II. Mari, Chairman,
TO the President Of the United States, uaGer
date of September 8, 1874.
Ny purpose in calling your attention to
these matters is TO inquire of you whether
have at any time since you have been in COM
mand Of the Department of the Gulf used or
attempted to use the United States troops for
political purposes in any manner whatever,
and also whether or not you have observed in
our official relations and intercourse any,
thing which in your opinion justi6es the i'm
putstions and charges set forth by Senator
Schurz and that Committee of Seventy. Very
respectfully your obedient servant
s. B. PACKARD, United States Marshal.
Subjoined is the response:
" HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE
CUR, Ngw ORLEANS, Sept. %, 1874.
To 3. b Packard, United States Marshal -
SIR-In reply to your note of this date
have to state emphatieally that since / have
been in command Of this department, that you
or no enc else has used or attempted to use
or control the United States troops for polit-
icaI purposes in any manner whatever. There
has been nothing in our official relations to
jnstify the charge that you design to use the
ever done so, and ii you do
Iesire or design such use of the troop do
lot see how you are to use them for any such