The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-04-12
CROOKED COTTON.


Some ten days since we alluded to the
nature Of the crooked cotton claims
which are now occupying the public
mind and the attention of the present
U. y. Grand Jury. We have repeatedly
affirmed that u thorough investigation
into this business would show up
certain United States officials in this
city, as it also would high honorables in
Washington, and it is our belief that
the seeming zeal in crooked whisky and
bankruptcy fees was as much as for any
other cause, owing to q desire to
prevent inquiry into crooked sugar and
cotton, honest investigation into which
would cause d change in the relations in
which certain Customhouse officials
stand to the general public, rs it would
prove damaging to parties in Washing
ton
The crooked in cotton is Of two-fold
nature. There has first been downright
fraud perpctrated. The Times ycstor
day mentioned one case well known to
very many OF our people. A transport
went up Rcd River, and coming down
very knowing somebody on board knew
where several piles Of cotton were and
picked up about 800 bales, which was
sold at 80 cents per pound or there
abOuts. The HOuOrdtIe J. Madison |
Wells knows more about this than he |
would like to tell in open court. He
knows very we'll who this knowing party
was. Wells had Il claim in Washington
in this cotton matter, which may prob
ably come under investigation. In
these matters J. Il. Barrett, Jr, claims
to have very important evidence, which
will show the crookedness of the parties
who got hold Of the proceeds, not only
in this but in other cotton cases
The Tidal Wave matter has "a new in
terest developed therein by the recent
return from u foreign land Of the captain
OF the said steamer who knows thing
Or two about those 1913 bales Mr.. j.
thought he had very nice thing Of it
ut the time. and his friend. Mr.. l., is
now out here to learn probably just how
nice little thing it was, and perhaps
when the captain Of the Tidal Wave
tells all he knows about it. and the real
owners Of the cotton claimed at the
lime as Confederate cotton have spoken
heir little pieces, it is very likely that
certain officials will know Just little
The same also will be the
'aso with the 500 bales which made such {
. snug dizzy. 1t may be unfortunate to
hose happy ones who got the lush that
% many Of the real owners of the cotton
md parties interested in it, should have
gently turned up, and grown 50 very
nquisitive, but they have turned up,
nd investigation pans out very well for
hem. i
Another feature Of the cotton cases is .
he nice little ring which were interest
q, not only in those cases mentioned,
ut who are making % dead set for the
6 ,0O0, 900 to 5000, 900 proceeds from the
per cent tax on cotton paid into the
reasury. The ring are using the pros
eutions in tho fraudulent claims to
eare honest holders OF claims upon +,
lis fund, realized by the illegal tax on ,
otton, by leading them to think that ~
lere is fraud in all this cotton business, !
nd so lead them to part with their
aims for n mere song.
J. +. Barrett, Jr., seems to be very
nportant man, inasmuch as West,
eckwith, Casey, Packard. Faulkner,
le Of life insurance policy and legisla-
We notoriety) Morey, Irwin, Boomer
I'd the rest are all reported to be very
uch put out by his sudden dismissal
Y tho Department of Justice. Barrett 90
,rtainly has, or is thought to have,
eat deal Of very important information
testimony. 1t may be that he is
ny important witness to keep silent \
regard to the ring of worthless. and e
erofore they are his friends. But
hen the Congressional committee {
mes along, which it will shortly, the =
hole truth will be brought out, regard
IS Of whom is hurt. Apparent zeal in tic
ooked whisky, or certain classes of pa
ooked cotton, won't avail to prevent a an
CROUCH expose Of the entire crooked 4,
'ss which abounds all through every IN
partment of the Customhouse- and an
tnkruptcy fees and crooked whisky, e.
G., cannot be availed OF as scapegoats -,
: Packard, Casey, Beckwith q Co. yc
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