The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-20
STATE SECRETS.
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

VERY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION 10 CCk-
RENT HISTORY.
A Washington historian contributes to the
New York Tribune and the Commercial of
Cincinnati the inside of the Louisiana bust
ness: Judge Wilson and Mr.. Eldgredge, of
the judiciary committee, who have been to
New Orleans to investigate accusations made
against Judge Durell, are busy in preparing
the testimony to place before the committee
at an. early date. The evidence against
Judge Durell is very damaging. 1t was dis
covered, among other things, that the famous
"midnight ORDER" made by Durell out or
court, at his own house, and without the
seal or signature of the clerk OF the court, by
which the Mechanics Institute used as the
state house. was seized in the interest OF
the Kellogg usurpation, was issued on
Judge Durell's own motion and without the
knowledge OF either the attorneys in the case.
In other words Judge Durell made a mo-
ton for this order to himself as Judge, and
in the latter capacity issued it. 1t also APP
peared that Durell made two orders in re-
gard to one of his friends for the purpose OF
throwing the chief bankruptcy business into
his hands. The first order directed that in
all bankruptcy cases this special friend, Nor
ton should be the assignee, except where
the creditors, under the law. appointed some
other person. Lest this appointment OF
other persons should, alter time, take the
business out of NortOn's hands, it was furth-
err provided in order No. that he should
act as assignee in all this latter class of cases.
NertOn's fees were frightfully exhorbitant.
Creditors rarely received any dividends out
of the assets of bankrupts and when they did
they were so small as TO be OF little account.
Meanwhile Norton became immensely rich.
When trouble AROSE about excessive foes,
Durell made another order that no COM
plants about foes or papers looking to Sc
curing remedy should be fled unless $50
was first deposited. This, of course, greatly
reduced the number of complaints, as so
was generally more than any creditor hoped
to receive, no matter how large his claims
There is much evidence tending to connect
Durell with NOrtOn's excuses, and on this
the case will mainly rest. This Norton has
been, of course, bright light in the Kellogg
party He contributed $4,000 for campaign
purposes during the last presidential
contest, and in consideration of his pecuni-
airy services was the man selected by a eau
Gus of the leading lights of the administra-
ton party, including Kellogg, Packard and
others, for election TO the United States Sem
ate for the long term. The only explanation
of his defeat ever given in New Orleans is
that Kellogg pleaded that Pinchback ought
to have something for his great services to
the party as governor ad interim, and for
carrying the negro vote against Governor
Warmoth, and met with so much sue
cess that Norton gave Pinckback $4,000
to pay him for his disappointment. This
money Pinchback is said to have used
in the Legislature TO defeat Norton and
elect himself The fact that Norton was not
assGssinated by some of the creditors whose
money he stole is creditable fact showing
the law abiding character of the business
class of New Orleans. The committee was
greatly surprised at the real condition to
which business in the state and city has
been brought by "carpet bag" misrule.
Country property has deprecated since the
war from 80 to IS per cent, and city property
from 80 to so per cent. The taxes are so
high as to amount to confiscation. Real
estate in New Orleans which would not sell
that rents for 81 200 is taxed 1850. The
committee is of the opinion that Judge Durell
will be impeached if he does not escape by
resigning.
THE MONEY IN 1T.
The Commercial contributor says: APP
pearanees indicate that the reigning family
has again embarked in the business of max.
ing money, and to aid their speculations
have concluded to undertake the manipula
ton of policies whenever they can do so pro-
fitsbly. Up to the time that congress ad
journed for the holiday recess, the president
had been stu bborn and persistent in his de
termination to support the kellogg govern
ment in louisiana This unwavering sup
port was administration measure, anC
was ably defended and sustained as such by
Senator Morton and others OF the admins
tration statesmen During the recess, how
ever, a change of mind was betrayed by hi.
excelency. He wavered as to the Justice o
the cause, and finally, after interviews will
Carpenter and Ben. Butler, he announced
that he was in favor of a new election II
Louisiana, to be held under the auspices o
the congressional commission. TIL,
announcement fell like thunderbol
upon the Kellogg committee, and created grea
CONSERVATION in the minds OF the Kellogg con
ressmen, who held their seats by virtue of tn,
election of 1877. As soon as they heard H. the.
called upon the President, and begged 10 know
if the rumOr was correct. Grant replied wifhOu
great decentralization that it was; that he haa
come to the opinion that the last election il
Louisiana was an organized fraud; that M
proper count OF the vote had ever been taken
and that ii ought 10 be set aside by congress an,
stale laws but SUPERVISED By s: SsG
committee. He seemed 10 be tmmOvab
ses In r., ms op1niohi his ana WdInouh endeay
fallen congressman Withdrew from his pres
ence. The matter coming to Senator Morton
ears he, too, sought the presence OF the chic
magistrate. The interview has not been ofiiciall
aicote nratty deSnitelv thai n was 81 y storm
nature, while 1t was necessarily bIief. But fe'
verbs were used but hey were 70 the point
the interested parties subsequent 10 the Morto
interview, in which it transpiredthat Grant ha
resumption of his former policy. The substane
ofthe Morton interview. as near as IL can be gots
that he hid undertaken the defense OF the Ke
loeg government with the understanding ths
the aQml0lStIaIOn WOutu support MIN IN QOlD
50, and that he desired TO have explained whetf
er the administration now proposed TO leave hiI
m the lu CHI and go back on the previous unde
standing. The senator Is represented to have bee
very determined in tone and manner, with th
result already stated. The explanation Of ii
manner In which this
CHANGE OF THE PRESIDENTS MIND
Was somewhat lengthy and complicate
The state of Louisiana Is involved in a debt
over s53,0OOOO0. OF this debt thirty or more mi
lions OF dollars is claimed to have been illegal
and unconstitutionally contracted, but the
seems 10 be no dispute that the remainder is !
zaIly due. The taxable valuation Of all q
property In the state is s250yUOOO0 The intere
on the legal debt. as Il IS termed, OF the sla
amounts annually to 81, JO0,OD. Louisiana hi
three times many state officers as New Yor
and had that many before the war, and they a
paid good salaries. the expense OF carrying {