New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-11
4.oVernOr.s keliOgg's Appeal.

Governor Kellogg, of Louisiana, makes a
strong appeal for d suspension OF Judgment
in his case. He insists that he is not only
not so black as he has been painted, but
quite the whitest man connected with the
politics Of that unfortunate State, and with
quite the cleanest record. In this case it
was the man and not the lion who did the
painting. His opponents have had the ear
of the nation. Ahey have filled it with fic
tions and exaggerations; with tales of
wrong manufactured out of nothing for
political effect; with appeals to public pre-
JUDGE. Now he asks for hearing. 1t is
true he speaks at a great disadvantage.
There is a very strong prejudice against
him. Good Republicans have felt that his
election was due to fraud so cunningly
devised and skilfully executed that the
federal government was obliged to support
him; that he has used his position to op-
press his opponents and enrich himself;
that he has violated his trust, injured the
commonwealth, and brought unmerited
Odium on the national administration. The
view Senator Carpenter presented so ably
in the Senate last winter hes been adopted
by even a majority of Republicans. And
the recent coup d'etat in New Orleans has
confirmed and deepened this impression.
But even Mr.. Kellogg should have JUS
tice; and it must be admitted that he makes
out a plausible case. He insists that his
election was valid, and besides the official
record there is the actual count of the peo-
pie to prove the fact. The negroes all
voted for him, and he had the votes of the
white Republicans. If these all voted, and
he is sure they did, his election was a
mathematical certainty. He took an en-
barrassed office. The white people were
violently opposed to the negroes, and hated
any man they voted for, and they put their
hatred into deeds. His predecessors had
run the State in debt some 80, 900, and
his shoulders, making taxes heavy and add
ing to the anger of the people. But in the
matter of the finances he makes very far
show, appealing to the Auditors figures IN
proof Of his statement.
In two wears he reduced the debt from
S25O00,000 to Sl5,00O,00O, and pald on
100000 of the floating indebtedness no
has reduced the rate OF taxation IRON
twenty-one mills to fourteen, ana pToViue1
that the parish taxation shall hot eAceeu
that of the State. In the first year OF his
ADMINISTRATION the costs Of the State gov
crnmrn. we're Sl5., 2l3 less than under
Warmoth. and in the second year he ct
facted still further saving OF S3i 4'3s. he
has abateJ the contingent liabilities of the
State some S.. 900, 900, and lowered the rate
of taxation in New Orleans five mills. If
the people grOan under the weight OF OPP
p-ess:ve taxation. i. is il. consequence Of
the reckless exf-acagance and corruption
OF his predecessors. whose rascality ne has
had to suffer for and is trying to atone.
II this is true and the whole truth, Ger.
.ainiy Governor Kellogg has strong case.
Hi. statement shows the need of a tairey
and fuller investigation of the facts than we
have We: had. He dwells at length on the
bitter antipa'hy of the old Southern whites
to the negroes. The fair promises made to.
day but thinly cover their intense dislike.
and do not avail to hide their violence in
the years gone by. He Would be willing to
resign. but he stands as the representative
OF party and cause he has 40 right to de-
segf; besides. were he to fetire the govern
ment would rightful!y defolvc TO his sue.
cessor. and there would be a change OF men
but no change o. administration. 1t is easy
to see. from comparing his Statement: with
those made on the other side. that the case
IS exceedingly complicated. and it is much
easier to jump at 3 conclusion than 10 do
exact justice to al: parties. Perhaps, after
all. the public interest is best served by the
preservation of law and order. with the GOV.
eminent in its present hands. unit! there
can he a new election by the people.-.ys,-
Yoyh Gr1.,lic.