New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-17

time SO much occupied in defending
themselves from attack that they have
not been able to exercise that influence in
Congress which their numbers and talents
entitle them to. Thus We find that
though Mr. McEnery has been defeated
in his aspirations for Governor Ke!logg's
seat: while Sheridan is sent out of the
House bafled and disappointed and
Judge Durell as good as exonerated from
blame, certain great works Of internal
improvement have been permitted to lam
| guish. In the success of these works
every Louisianian is either directly or re-
motely interested. The Fort St. Philip
canal bill, with its promise of an eight
million contract and deep channel to
the sea as a result, was SO nearly fanked
by the worse than visionary scheme of a
dry land engineer that it languisned for
want of support and is yet by no means
out OF danger. While the whole Repub-
Gcan element Of the State has been work.
ing for its success, we look in vain for
any words of encouragement from any
political organization of the opposition.
The Chamber of Commerce, purely
non-partisan body, has favored the scheme
with great deal Of zeal and efficiency,
tor which the self-appointed Committee
OF Seventy actually took them to task,
not because they strove to secure the great
contract, but because in doing SO they
co-operated with some of the political
friends and associates of their great bug.
bear, Governor Kellogg, whom, for want
OF little originality, they have desig-
mated the usurper. But We have brought
it over the first and by many deemed the
worst stage Of the route-its passage
through the House-without much assist
ance from the professional friends of Lou
isiana, those who are ever ready to serve
the State when they are we'll paid for it,
and regard every kindness from the Re- |
publicans as covering for some sinister |
purpose We are well content, however, |
to lose McEnery for Governor and Sheri-
dan for Representative, and receive an |
assurance Of rations for 1875 in exchange |
1t is true, the latter has not yet been as
sured, though the prospect IS reasonably
good. Something is sure to be done for
tie canal; half million has already been
voted by one house for rations to the suf-
ferers by the overflow, and Senate COM
mlttee recommends an appropriation of
1000, 900 to rebuild the levees.
There are those among US who would
doubtless surrender all these substantial
benefits for the success of our political
Fusion combination, and the impeach-
nent of Judge Durell. This desire may
be set down to the credit side of the oppo-
aents of republicanism, while to the Re-
publican party in aud out of the State is
Tue the credit Of defeating their plans,
md securing fair prospect of something
better yet to come. We do not expect
hat it will be possible to shower favors
enough upon the people of this State to
top the grumbling Of the blood or office
'arty so long as they are numbered
Imong the outs But, as they are numer-
cally weak. and VIGOROUSLY incompetent,
will make little or no difference what
hey may think about it. Meanwhile.
Te have many able advocates in Washing
on who are zealously working for Us, not
o prevail upon Congress to maintain the
integrity of our State government, which
assured, but to obtain from that body
that we might have had sooner if we had
cen more harmonious for the right.