The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-01-22
A Glance at Things in Louisiana.
To the Editors of the Rock Island Argus:

NEW ORLEANS, y an. lStn, 1914.
"A good newspaper is bound to find its
way everywhere" was my reflection this
evening, after reading late copy of my
excellent old friend THE ARGUS. Per-
haps letter to its columns from this part
of the country might not be entirely devoid
of interest to its many readers.
Affairs in this State are truly in la
mentable condition and what is more there
is not the slightest improvement. The
Kellogg Legislature has met and the first
thing is quarrel over the speakership.
Lorvell still holds it but it is thought he
will have to give way to his opponent
Souer, 'Cullud Gemman'' whose merit
consists in once having taught velocipede
riding school which was closed out by the
sheriff. He has made fortune since his
advent in politics and is the firm ally of
Pinchback. A glance at the Legislature is
equal to frst-class minstrel performance.
The members are of all colors, from the
fairest white to the deepest midnight dark
ness. There is the regular plantation
darkey with his baggage in his hands, clad
in homespun and jeans shouting and ges-
ticulating mr. Speakahl Mr. Speakah p
Little attention is paid to him however.
There is nothing of the dignity of legisla-
tive body to be met with-only confused
uproar, tussle and noise The Governor
sometimes appears on the floor. he is
losing friends even in his own party, He
is firm believer in the saying that prom
ises cost nothing" therefore he is very law
ish with them, promising everything to ev-
erybody yet never fulfilling, and this is tell
ing against him as his friends are looking
upon him with distrust.
The people here think there can hardly
be any doubt now but Congress will order
new election. One thing is very evident
the magnates of the Custom House party
are far from being as Indifferent as they
pretend concerning the rumored new cleo
ton, for the opinion is quite prevalent that
another deal would be highly acceptable
to some of the representatives OF the Cen
eral Government hereabout, though highly
unacceptable to Kellogg and his friends
The "Vice- Regent of Almighty Cod
Judge Durrell Of the q. S. District Court
as he once styled himself, contrary to ex-
pectation has not yet resigned, but after al
| the disclosures concerning him are made
public he may be compelled to do so.
In order to show your readers how some
Of the people are treated by the present
State government will mention one or two
facts 1t will be remembered that, some
months ago, the police militia, under Col
DeKlyne, invaded Grant Parish and, after
overrunning the country, arrested and
brought seven of its most prominent citi
zens with them, and here they have re
manned in the Parish prison, without trial
without sufficient food, and subjected tC
the horrors of close confinement. The war
rants on which these gentlemen were ar
rested were sworn to By two worthless, ig-
norant negroes. Judge Sims, a prominent
planter from the same district, an infrm
old man, who visited this city for medica
aid, was seized on the streets and thrust
into prison where he still remains, now
grown so feeble he can hardly stand alone.
These statements are facts, and give true
idea OF the way the existing State govern
ment is being carried on,
Fresh difficulties are imminent in Sierra
bonnie, concerning the labor troubles the
negroes are holding mass meetings and have
made several outrageous attempts upon
property and business. The excitement i.
intense. A detachment of State militia
was forwarded to the scene of trouble anC
several arrests of negroes have been made
The militia will remain until peace and
quiet is restored.
The extraordinary rush of cotton to this
city from every quarter astonishes every
body, the figures are above all estimates,
proving beyond doubt that New Orleans
is the best cotton market in the country
The Carnival season promises to be {
brilliant one, taking place on the It'll
prox. }, and many inducements are offered
to people at distance to attend. Roya
Rex is very busy issuing his proclamation:
for the event.
! "Old probabilities" has treated us tt
some very sudden changes of temperature
the thermometer ranging from 80 9 to 80 :
with plenty of rain and fog. ROVER.