The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-02
JOHN RAY.

To the Editor of the N. O. Bulletin:
The appearance before the Returning Board
OF that arch scalawag and conspirator, that
supreme traitor to the best interests of his
State, John Ray, is at this time very signif-
cant it bodies no good to the public. When
ever and wherever he acts, look out for big
Job ahead or an extensive covering up Of
tracks. Shrewd, cunning, persevering and
unscrupulous, he craftily lays out his plans
and up to this time has generally succeeded.
For the past six years he has participated more
largely in public plumber than any other per-
son, and, that he has profited by every deed
Of spoliation since 1868, no one will hesitate
to believe, who knows the man, his inordnate
greed for money, his allabsorbing selfshness
and his utter want Of patriotism, whether
partisan, State or national.
Having in connection with others pur-
chased the railroad leading from opposite
Vicksburg to Monroe, at low figure, and
with a bill in chancery pending in the Federal
Court against his company to annul the sale,
he adroitly obtained subsidy from the Legisla-
ture of 1863 of half million for his road. After
wards he engineered an act through by which
the Legislature bound the State to guarantee
his bonds, principal and interest, for upwards
Of half o million more. When that step was
taken, il order to guard against future con-
tingencies, the conspirators increased the
shares Of their stock and induced the Legis-
ture, always plant to his wishes, to receive
the new shares and shoulder the whole debt
If the bill in chancery is maintained, the
stock will be worthless, but as these bonds
have been funded, the amount will be forced
out of the people by taxation, provided Ray
| is successful before the Returning Board.
OF all others, scallawag or carpet-bagger,
he has the least right to be there. His presence
is not only grossly indicate, but it is an in
stance of effrontery seldom exhibited, for he
| has direct and profound personal interest to
serve. Although be is acting ostensibly as
the agent of his party and of his Washington
masters, in fact he appears as the agent Of
! John Ray alone, or OF his company. I'm
doubtedly his purpose is to secure from the
board the return Of Radical majority in the
| Legislature, and thereby effect an organiza-
ton of his partizans. This organization being
accomplished, the same villainous game will
be played which was played with marked sue
cess in 1868, and especially in 1872, when the
de facto's Legislature was made up chiefly from
defeated candidates, and of some, it is be-
| lieved, who were not candidates at ALL To
rule ou. the legally elected members of the
| Assembly will then be an easy and sure
| matter.
| What will follow: The speedy passage OF
an act to proride for the payment Of the funded
debt, in which Ray has an interest exceeding
| one million of dollars. A Conservative ma
| jority might fail to make that provision, but a
majority ruled by him would accomplish it be-
yond cavil.
In that event, whether the Federal Court
annuls the purchase Of his road or other.
wise, he Will be comparatively safe, inasmuch
as the funded bonds, having been paid out OF
the fruits of ruinous taxation, will be Cancelled
and both he and the State, his guarantor, will
be released from all obligation under them.
In order to bring about this result, be is