New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-03

! with glimpse Of this specious documen
until after the announcement by our con
temporary that it had received bupdl
OF copies of it.
Prominent among the signers, ant
doubtless the inspirers of this protest, We
find the names Of the executor Of John A
Griswold, Of E. D. Morgan, J. and W.
| Seigman, J. J. Anderson, Ames, Pondir
and others. all originally interested in
the Chattanooga railroad scheme. and al
present holders Of the two and a half mil
lions Of bonds Of that company. which
now stand enjoined because consideration
therefor has VIGOROUSLY no. been rendered
the State. They are. too. the original
owners and benefciaries not innocen,
purchasers or third parties a fact which
might fairly have justified then, in
modestly permitting the owners of IN.
tainted Louisiana securities to take the
leadership in the protesting business I:
is very probable. :oo-in fac: We have
reasons almost justifying the broad asser-
tion-:hat not q dollars worth Of Louisi.
ana bonds other than the fraudulent. tw O
and half millions are owned by these
gentlemen; aid the suspicion wakes ex-
ceeding strong that consent on the part of
| this State to withdraw its suits and to put
them on par with the honest evidences
OF Indebtedness, would quickly annul the
protest and transform the funding bill
from most oppressive and obnoxious
scheme into sound, wise and prudent
financial measure, so far as these pro-
testers could affect the change. In fact
several of the signers have already e&.
pressed their readiness TO accept its pro.
visions.
In order to show to the world
how well grounded is the alarm
OF the holders Of the bonds referred
to. and why they take unusual steps
to defeat plan which necessitates their
proving the legitimacy Of their claims, a
reference to the way in which the latter
were created may not be inappropriate a.
this time. The corrupt manner in which
the bill authorizing this so-called debt was
passed through the Legislature is part Of
the late unfortunate political history Of
Louisiana, and the act itself shows the ex-
traordinary fact that the signatures Of the
Auditor and Treasurer. the financial guard
lans OF the State. were to be printed ON
the bonds, and no: written. and record
kept as is customary in all such important
transactions. This is evidence that SUISSE
Guent actions in carrying out the fraud were
carefully designed. There was danger o:
an Intervention by tie courts. which
might seriously interfere with its success.
And now we are furnished with the follow.
ing damning details of the way in which
legal distractions were lodged: The
bonds We're prepared. and taken to the
Secretary Of State. together with the law.
which had been purposely withheld. The
Secretary signed them but did not a.tes: !
the Governors signature. .r,ic! ,ras no. |
then N'tochea-and took them at nigh: to |
the Governors house. On the following
morning these bonds were taken on board |
a Chattanooga railroad train. and while
flying rapidly from the Jurisdiction o: our
courts the Governor affixed his official
autograph thereto. On the following
Thursday morning these Indignant: pro-
testers were made happy by the receipt, in
New York, Of these evidences tina: this
much abused people owed them two and
half million dollars. Thus the signing Of
he law, its PRONUNCIATION. the issue OF the
bonds. and their shipmen: North was all
between two lega! days.
We ask all candid minds if. under tie
circumstances. TIE people have 10: 3
light to inquire into their responsibilities
md liabilities for such debts. Is it sur
rising that. under the depletiye robbe.-
es. Of which this is a specimen. the ne.
essity has at last come upon them to
Gale even the honest par: Of tie debt:
md how much weight with homes: and
minds should be attached to a
rotest which. there is scarcely room: TO
oubt, had its origin in desire to make
aid and binding such fraudu.en. pape.
s these Chattanooga bonds: