The New York herald., 1874-09-09
LOUISIANA'S. CONDITION.

LOUISIANA CONDITION.
Attorney General Fields Political Opin-
iOns-Ke ellogg's Efforts for Peace-The
Alleged Compact Of the .sWhite
League"
reporter Of the HEEALD yesterday called 20 see
Attorney General Field. OF Louisiana, whose de-
cisions in the State have been accepted generally
as fair by both the democrats and republicans.
The Judge was fOund at the st. Nicholas Hotel,
where he is temporarily sojourning. He is native
or Kentucky and impresses one fayorably as being
o specimen OF the old time Southern gentlemen,
urbane erudite unpretending He received the
HERALD representative very courteously, and
something like the following conversation en-
sued:-
REPoRrER-Judge Field should like you to give
your views as to the situation In your state-y0ur
ideas in regard to the political outlook
Judge FIELD-That is bad, very bad. l will not
deny that we have had some pad legislators, as
you have at the North. Many acts have been
passed which should never have been en-
crossed upon the statute books; but, in the
main, there has been no reasonable cause
for complaint. Notwithstanding all reports
to the contrary however confidently assert that
Louisiana is republican by from $4,000 to 10000
majority, and the whole desire now is to have a
fair vote recorded, which was not done in 1872. The
''white League" so calied-co-operatng with the
old Ku Klux-apparently do not desire this and
thus the strife between the law.abding citizens
! and the lawless element.
REPORTEK-Under what pretence do the oppOsi-
! tion array tnemselvesY
Judge FIELD-Under the pretence Of bad gov
ernment they seek to carry the elections at all
hazards. happen to know that Governor Kellogg
has used his best endeavOrs to conciliate the fac
tons-he has even bestowed offices upon some OF
their leaders; but they will be satisfied with
nothing short OF the overthrow OF the present
Legislature and government and the installa tlon
Ia 1872 ''''' '''' ''''''' ''' ''''
REpORTER-Have any white men of power and
influence refused 10 JOIN these revoutl0nists this
"White League ?"
Judge FIELD-Many. I will name among this
class one OF the largest planters below New Or
leans Mr.. Eflngham Lawrence, and Judge Taylor
Beatty. OF the parish OF Assumption who is Judge
of the Fifteenth judicial District This latter gen
tleman has published nus reasons for so declining
REpoRTER-These persons certainly cannot be
termed carpet-baggers ~
Judge FIELD-No But every person who is q
republican and advocates republican reform is
RErORrER-it seems, however that the property
holders OF Louisiana have good reason to complain
OF the burdensOme taxation.
Judge FIELD-Very true. I will explain this
The first Legislature that met after the war under
twentieths democrats. They found all the levees
destroyed, lands OvernOwed and general devasta
issued large amounts OF bonds, called Levee Bonds
10 build these again, and five to eight millions ol
open marke "a s the money was
I levees we're badly reouit and the overhows soon
Authorized 'uc under the warmoth Government Of
1858, and the Indebtedness for levee and railroad
purposes increased to ten or twelve millions OF
dollars The crops failed successively for several
years, farms became dlapidated and worth
less, the people were overwhelmed with
The taxation increased 10 twenty-one mills per
$780, This was the amount OF State tax levied
Improvement The last Legislature passed law
reducing taxation to fourteen and hall mills per
$780, ana the republican goveramen ing
previous fraudulent issue OF bonds In the Courts,
ana within the last twelve months the State mas
been relieved OF great portion ot her RESPONSE
blity for acts Of former reckless administrations
REPoRTER-That seems clear; but why do not
the good men Of all parties JOIN you to consum-
Judge FIELD-They will not do so, although we
aXe a IN 50 70 elect
Treasurer one half the senate, the entire House
Of REPRESENTATIVE sherilIs parish % Judges yes . and
| forcement act' permits us to have the assistance
OF the United States troops to protect the marshas
corded. CO nsd.e'' wing ''''' A " now '''' '''' ~
REpORTER-what is the nature Of the
''wHTrE LEAGUE"
OF which you so often speak?
The Judge here took from hts pocket a copy Of
the New orleans Republican, OF date August lS,
| true. some OF the sections run as lolows:-
We enter into and form this league for the protection
na @ s To
endeavS,s to purge our ndSis and minis:
assume to lord It over US
oBss to % end our we o
that this league determine BY majority Of votes
ability in carrying out such measures as it may
That we do not reject or condemn any white for
his political opinions SO thai he join Us the one grand
At Alto, on the 1lth Of July the following was
ad0pted--
That we regard it the sacred and political duty of
socially proscribe all White men who unite tScmse
s al hs p', S sSsgy
support Of those who ally thsmseves with the white
energies and means 10 the Of this
people in the Natchitoches Vindtcator OF July 49,
hi. "a. Sn,s ssIS Rsspsn asiSsia,s
and that may enjoy the blessings which will nstu
when You know you were partly instra%ents IN bring
ing Them about we aeslre your cooperation. and we
ssS your State from she and ruin
RiafSd mind nsE snS % @
@ i Hs Ss Ss S
Of yo"r rulers You elect to
will only s az n. TO Ssn9@e o s a' m
now and let II be distinctly remembered that have
fair warning that intend to the state Of Louis
lana In November next, or she will ne military terri
! tory.
And again
Na single hostile gun fred between the whites and
blacks In this and surrounding parishes every carpet
bagger and scalawag that be caught WILL IN twelve
os qassaf
est OF peace and know what we are talking about
PRESS COMMENTS.