The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-03
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
THE Special COMMITTEE or NINE no
JNyEsTIGITE TIE CUS10MHOtSE
OFIICJ1LS.
An Exodus of Radical OHtrials-The New
Orleans Mint-Trte Aaiiet-Kii-
hnUrn Case.

Gibson's resolution authorizing the ap-
pointment, by the Speaker, OF special
committee to investig ate forthwith the
New Orleans Customhouse and United
States officials in Louisiana. is regarded
here as a very great concession to our
State and a marked recognition OF the
claims of our people to some Congress
sonal legislation in behalf OF their
inteEeSts.
lac previous letter / stated a. all
invs siiga Sons would be conducted by
subcommittee OF the regular standing
committees. This is the rule adopted
bv the House. But the Louisiana ques-
tiOu was deemed OF SO much Importance,
and our Congressman were 50 persistent
in their efforts and SO earnest in their
appeals, that the House receded from
it's rule and made an exception in favor
of granting u special committee OF nine
with permission to conduct the investi-
CATION pending the present session OF
Congress. This is IA great point gained
in our favor. There never was any
doubt Of
THOROUGH EXAMINATION
being ultimately made of the Federal
Offices of Louisiana, but the danger was
OF its delay until no good would have
been accomplished by the damaging
The commiC.ee, at this date, has not
yet been named by Speaker Kerr, but it
is safe to say that Gen. Gibson will be
the chairman, and his colleagues will be
selected from among the most indus
trious. keenest and most determined
members OF the House. They will be
fully impressed with the great import
ance of their mission; and while the
labor will be very onerous, they will
leave nothing undone to ferret out and
bring to light the iniquities and corrup-
tion that pervade every department Of
the Custom House. In the prosecution
Of their examinations the members Of
the committee expect to, and, / be-
believe, will
RECEIVE EVERY ASSISTANCE
| from the good citizens OF New Orleans
Let every one who knows anything of the
| irregularities in the conduct of any of the
Government officials present himself to
the committee, and give it all the in
formation he possesses. They have
| nothing to fear, as a complete change
will not be made in all the departments,
and the present officials will be power
| less to visit their wrath upon those who
may have given important and damag
ing testimony. l dare say there are
many subordinates who could make the
most startling revelations, and probably
are willing to do 50, if they could be
protected from tho vengeance of their
employers. But, be this as it may, it is
generally thought that this investiga-
! ton, now about to be made, will result
| i'll
THE TOTAL ANNIHILATIoN
OF the Republican party in Louisiana.
| Like Durell, Casey, Packard, Beckwith,
! Billings Herwig, Wells, Dillingham; and
Norton will not wait for the prescnta-
tion OF Impeachment articles, but as
we'll bred dogs, when they see prepara-
tions being made to kick them out. will,
of their own accord,
STEP DOWN AND OUT,
and like, too, the Arabs of old, they will
fold their tents and quietly steal
away"-that being the only thing left
for them to steal Ii public expectation
| in this matter should be realized, it will
be glory enough for our people, and
| they will feel that this session OF Con
gress has done its duty well and added
| tude which the whole country will owe
! it for its glorious works in the cause of
| honesty. reform and good government.
Through the combined efforts of Con-
gressmen O'Brien, of Maryland chair
man of the Committee on Coinage,
Weights and Measures; Reagan, of
Texas, and Gibson, Of Louisiana, an
appropriation Of $4,000 was obtained
| for
THE NEW ORLEANS MINT.
Mr.. Randall, chairman Of the ApprO-
priation Committee. had allowed only
| S250O a sum just sufficient to keep the
| buildings in repair and prevent the prop
ertv from revertng to the city. Mr.
/ D., II tffrh uivc n
additional sum asked for by the South
ern members, and his opposition was of
that character to lead to the conclusion
that he felt that the interests of the
mint in his own city Of Philadelphia
might suffer some from any assistance
that might be given to the one in New
Orleans. While he was lavish in the ap-
preparation for Philadelphia, New
Orleans, he considered, was not entitled
to anything 1t is said he has not for
gotten that the Louisiana delegation
can hardly believe he could be actuated
by such q petty spirit. He has, how
ever, declared his intention to renew
! his opposition to this item of appropri-
alton in the House when the bill is re-
ported to it by the Committee of the
Whole. But he will fail to defeat it as
q large majority of the members con-
cede the claim OF New Orleans to this
sum. which in reaiityis not one half that
should be allowed, so us to put the Mint
in full operation. However, small fayors
thankfully received.
The decision of Justice Cartier in re-
leasing Hallett Kilbourn upon writ of
/ habeas corpus is in singular contrast
with the action of the House in respond
ing to the writ. The Democratic House
showed its respect for The la'c while the
Radical Judge disregarded the author
ity aud privilege of the Legislative
branch of the Government and proceed
ed to set himself up as superior
in power and beyond the reach Of Con-
gress. Judge Cartier like kilbourn and
| Shepherd, is an important member Of
the District Ring ofthieves. He lives in
a house given to him by the gang, and
is expected, on all occasions, to take
care OF his pals" whenever they are
caught in the act of 'cribbing.' Great
| indignation is expressed at his conduct
! in this flair What stems the HOnSe