New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-15
OUR WASHINGTON LITTER.
WAeH1NGroN. January 10. 1876

WAeHINGTON, January 10, 1876.
1t was understood on Saturday that the
President would send in Mr.. Billings name
to-day. When the Senate met at twelve
o'clock Mr.. West was in his seat. While
the various resolutions and petitions were
being read he walked around the chamber
listlessly. glancing occasionally at the main
entrance. No doubt he feared that, at the
eleventh hour, the Preside mt might change
his purpose. Ten minutes before the ex-
piration Of the morning hour a "message
from the President" was announced. A
motion to go into executive session was
quickly put and carried, and in a few min
utes it was known that the vexed question
of the Louisiana judgeship was settled.
West is the happiest man in the city TO-
night, and he has good reason foe being
iuoilant. Against the Vaccinations of sup
posed friends and the unrelenting opposi-
ton of open enemies, he has fought a gal.
ant fight and won a glorious victory.
An effort will of course be made to defeat
Mr.. Billings confirmation. but no fears need
be entertained by his friends on this score.
Had there been any douot as to his con-
tirmation his name would not have been
sent to the Senate.
The failure Of the Freedman's Bank, and
the operations of the Board Of Public
Works, otherwise known as the district
ring" has formed the ground work of a
good deal OF political capital for the Demo-
Gratis. The men who controlled the opera
tions Of the alleged ring were also the men
who, to a great extent, contr oiled the affairs
of the bank, and it is surprising, in view of
this fact. that Democratic Congressman
(Mr. Douglass, of Virginia). who offered a
resolution authorizing the district commits.
sioners to issue bonds for $2,00O,000, to be
guaranteed by the United States, should
also introduce a resolution providing for
the appointing mt Of committee to investi-
gate the affairs of the bank. The matter
has suspicious look, and Mr.. Douglass
might very properly rise to explain. The
commissioners in charge Of the affairs of
the bank experience great difficulty in
collecting money due, and in disposng of
property held in trust. Thus far they have
collected 100000. or about one-twelfth of
the second dividend; 100000 yet remains
to be disbursed on the first dividend of
twenty per cent.
That the President is endeayoring to in
volve the country in a war with Spain or
Mexico in order to divert public attention
from political affairs, and thus aid in secur.
ing his own denomination and election, is
the stock in trade of several Washington
| correspondents. and a standing charge in
the columns of nearly every Democratic
paper in the land. 1t is hardly probable
that We shall have war with either Of
these powers, but it may be we'll to remem-
Der that the initiative step for war with
Mexico has been taken by the Democratic
House of Representatives. One Of the
Texas members introduced resolution,
which was adopted, authorizing ths ap.
pointment of committee to inquire into
the robberies and murders that have oc-
Cured along the Mexican border. The
resolution was vigorously advocated by
several of the Texas delegation. among
them Mr.. Reagan, who intimated that if
some decisive step was not taken to stop
the constant inroads of Mexican thieves,
the people of his State would take up arms
in their own behalf.
Governor kellogy's message is highly
commended here. The fact tina. he has
succeeded in spite of bitter, malignant op-
position in reducing the State debt over
s., OOO, 900, and the rate of taxation some
thirty three per cent. is subject Of much
ccngratulation, and is something of which
be may we'll feel proud. The official an
nouncement that. for the first time in her
history, your State has raised suffi icient corn
to meet the home demand, is received with
incredulity and surprise. 1t is astonishing,
in view Of the prominent position Louisi-
ana has occupied for some years, that the
public generally should know 81 little of
the actual state of affairs, agricultural and
political, within her borders.
Letters patent have been issued by the
Patent Office as follows:
To Jules Tardos, Jr, of New Orleans, for
mode Of treating tallow, oils, etc. dated
December %.
Samuel II. Gilman, of New Orleans, for
cotton bale baad tightener., dated Decem-
Der %.
On January 4, two patents were Issued to
Mr.. Gilman, one for machines TOR uDtying
bands on cotton bales, and one for punch
ing and shearing cotton bale bands.
Also, to T. Newman, of New Orleans, for
street railway switches. INDEX.
Appointments.