The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-08-25
MAJOR BURKE's RECORD.

Editor DemOcrat-I observe with re-
gret, in the Picayune Of Thursday, a re-
newal OF the personal and political at
tucks that are periodically leveled at .
gentleman, who, In the humble judg-
ment OF close observer Of events In
this state, during the past few years,
deserves the gratitude OF the citizens OF
this State, In as high q degree as any
iaborer in the Democratic and Conser-
vative cause.
Although frequently the subject OF
bitter assaults, have observed that he
has pursued frank, manly course.
laboring patiently to disabuse the minds
or opponents In the ranks OF his own
party, and striking blows only at the
Radical ranks. Na+
allude TO +. A. Burke, the present
Administrator OF improvements.
This communication is prompted by
the fact that Mr.. Burke, with delicacy
that may be commendAble, however un-
just TO himself, has failed to claim the
benefit Of a record, that should 20 far
towards ending the local hostility so
tfequeDtly displayed. as could be shown
| by Il brief resume OF some OF the leading
1 events of the past four years.
/ An active, earnest member OF the Con-
ference Committees that produced the
Ia7ions Of 1872; ever laboring for unity
and harmony in opposition to Radical
ism. he devoted his time and great
energies unrenittingly to the service OF
| the State In the Campaign Committee
Of 1879. at the sacrifice Of his personal
| interests as parish candidate.
When the conspiracy WAS formed, In
| 1872, between the National Republican
Cunmittee and the Customhouse Of
ticials to take advantage OF the absence
of the Governor and Lieutenant Cover
nor, whereby Pinchback WAS to return
suddenly, sign an election ELL (then filed
IN a. pigeon hole at the State House), i'm
prach the Governor, and throw the
State political machinery into the
hands OF the Customhouse party, every
member Of the campaign committee
knows how Mr.. Burke discovered and
frustrated the whole plot.
| Was it not Mr.. Burke who discovered
the plan OF Kellogg, Herwig and Blan-
chard TO sell out the registration ma
chiuery, in 1879, for twenty thousand
dollars, and was it not his prompt
action that guarded against 1t?
When the Federal forces, under Du-
rell s order. seized the State House, was
It not Mr.. Burke and few OF his per-
sonai friends who secretly removed two
wagon loads OF election returns TO u
| place OF safety, under the very noses of
The soldiers and United States Marshals
| guarding the same? And we're not
these returns the only evidence upon
| which the Louisiana case could be
based q?
When the oppressive action OF Kellogg
and his minions produced the events OF
the 14th September, was 1t not largely
owing to his sagacity that the people
arms? And when the critical hour OF
| J.. f.npfeaf arrival w n N ra M derad nnaat-
bic the glorious events OF that day?
However modestly or prudently Mr.. Il.
may deport himself regarding this mat
ter, it Is well known that the failure OF
the Federal forces to reach this city,
until after the victory was won by
Ogden, was due to Burke's skillful
plans.
As member Of the Advisory Board
and State Central Committee in 1874,
when Rltted against the willy United
States Marshal and his expert con-
freres, Is it not well known that every
important movement OF the Radicals In
tnat campaign was promptly check
mated?
The remarkable revision OF the regis
tration, whereby twenty thousand 90
OOO) Radical registrations were scrutin-
ized within twenty days, and the legal
evidence OF $500 frauds was secured,
coupled with the fact that although 5000
fraudulent names were known to have
been registered by the Republicans,
only about 1000 were voted, possesses
additional significance in view OF the
fact that we only claim to have carried
the election OF Moncure by majority
OF 49Jl
The memorial drawn by Mr.. Burke
and submitted to the Legislature, in
1875, depicted the condition OF city
affairs, and pointed out the remedies in
the most comprehensive array OF facts
and figures that has yet been published
on this subject.
presenting the City Council before
he Legislature, 1t was mainly through
his interchangeable exertioLs and skillful
management that the Premium Bond
bill was passed, whereby taxpayers
were offered relief to the exteEt OF four
millions, and the finances OF the city
were rescued from ruin; and finally
i. it not admitted that he has success.
fully administered the most important
office in the city government?
Any candid citizen must admit that
more work has been done than has
heretofore been seen, and the published
statement Of expenses show that it has
cost the people an average OF nine hun
dred thousand dollars ($9OO, ,OOO) less per
year than under previous administra-
tions, either Republican or Democratic.
Why Mr.. Burke has not seen proper
to use these facts for his personal vim
dical ion is Il matter for his own consid-
eration- but the article published in
thursdays Picayune seems 30 cruelty
unjust that the writer feels that he
would become a party to this injustice
il he failed to call attention to these
facts, which are written in the history
OF this State and city, and should, al
least, serve to protect the gentleman
from unworthy aspersiOns.
FAIR PLAY.