New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-23
Especial Correspondence Of the Republican
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. February lS,

WASHINGTON. February lS, 1876.
There has been wild rumors afioat con-
cerning the anticipated troubles IN New Or
leans, and one to the effect that fight had
occurred on Thursday was widely circulated
and created universal CONSERVATION among
the Democrats. Kerr and others declared
in emphatic terms, that if a collision was
provoked by the Bour bons they would wash
their hands of the whole Louisiana matter,
and one excitable member from the West
said that if the story was true he would ac-
quiesce in any steps the government might
take for The suppression of the distur ance.
kilograms were sent to Marr and other
prominent Democrats in New Orleans con
demning action likely to result III bloodshed,
and such vigorous protests and representa-
ton made to the Democratic delegation IN
the House, that they all now favor con-
cillatory course.
The Northern Democrats here realize that
if collision is brought about by any action
of the lower branch of the Legislature in
New Orleans it will destroy all chances for
success in the presidential campaign, and
agree that it were better to lose the cleo
toral vote of Louisiana than to shoulder
the odium that would follow repetition of
the scenes Of the memorable fourteenth b of
September.
1; the Legislature of Louisiana is really
desirous Of doing something for the general
interest and welfare of the State, le. them
call the attention of Congress to the pres
ent deplorable condition of the levees, and
ask the granting of government aid IN re-
building them. This would have good
effect which would be further increased
were the citizens of New Orleans, irrespec-
tive of party, TO hold mass meeting and
adopt resolutions Of the same purport. The
feeling among large number of Northern
members was shown in the remark made by
one to me yesterday. "Your planters" he
said ''are ANXIOUS to have the government
build their levees, 60 that they may be able
to 90 to New Orleans, where they talk poll
tics, drink champagne and raise hi geIer
ally
In the act OF 1856, granting public lands
Morgan's Louisiana end Texas) railroad, a
proviso was in serted that the road should
| transport troops and government freight
| tree of charge. The road, SO far as built,
| has derived no benefit from the act, for the
reast that there are No public lands be.
| tween New Orleans and Morgan City, and
| it has forfeited all claims to land along the
remainder Of the route, owing to non com
pliance with the provisions OF the gran i,
which specified that it should be com
pleted in ten years. The obligation to car
~ troops, etc, still remains in force, how
| ever, and Mr. Darrall has introduced bill
relieving The road from this condition ct
! the grant.
After the capture Of New Orleans and its
| occupancy by Butler, an agreement was
| was entered into By the government { I'll GERS
| in that city. and Jean Louis Comeaux, now
| recorder OF Lafourche parish, by which the
| latter was authorized TO proceed TO Bra
| shear, and, at his OWL expense, lit up a
ferry boat for the purpose OF Transporting
| refugee freedmen across Berwick Bay the
understanding being that Comeaux was to
receive d certain amount for each person
crossing, and s. for every able bodied man
who would enlist in the United States ser
! vice. Mr.. Comeaux carried out his part of
| the arrangement faithfully, running himself
| financially in doing 60, and, although the
! records show that, of the large number OF
freedmen transported by him, over ll0O
entered the army, to the discredit of the
government be it said, that he never re-
ceived dollar. A petition for his relief
has been presented by Mr.. Darrall, but il
is altogether improbable that the present
House Of Representatives will grant relief
to any person for expense incurred in
swelling the ranks of the Federal army.
They have honest inhationists in Wiscon
! sin, who not only meet the currency ques
ton squarely, but, at the same time, pro
pose to settle the stringency in the money
market and hard times generally By very
! simple process. They forwarded a petition
| which MIR. Howe presented to the Senate,
| asking for the passage of law providing
| that the Treasurer of the United States
shall cause to be paid, every Saturday
night, at the nearest postoffiue, the sum OF
$40 to every man, Won IN and child, with,
out respect to race, color, etc In order to
prevent an undue expansion not more than
5000, 900, 900 should be issued in one year
! The Senator was not altogether satisfied
| that the measure would prove a wise one
| and had it referred 70 the Finance Commit
| tee.
The Democrats are still wrestling with
the currency problem, and appear to be nc
nearer solution than they were week
ago. The caucus called for last night was
postponed for the reason that the commit.
tee charged with the duty of preparing a
bill has accomplished nothing. The omis
sion of New York from representation on
this committee has caused a good deal OF
dissatisfaction, which is not lessened by the
fact that Ohio has three representatives.
| Especial care was taken in its selection, and
! while the House portion has one majority
in favor Of initiation, the Senate has three
majority for hard money. The Democrats
! have agreed not to discuss the subject out
side of caucus until some measure shall be
agreed upon and presented to the House
A lively discussion can then be exp ected.
The predictions made at the time of the
election Of Mr.. Kerr as Spe aker, that he
would be unable to hold the position on ac-
count of i'll health, have already been veri-
fed. His temporary retirement has created