New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-06
VOLUME <. NO. 49.


4H8 CONGR 80e1OUAL OO11KTT8Hs
lnvessisatssas Cestanusa.
The members Of the congregational inves-
tigating COMMITTEES assembled yesterday at
ten o'clock in parler p, St. Charles Hotel.
All were present except Messfs. woodburn,
Vance and Blackburn.
w. L. Catlin was sworn, and testified -
follows:
have resided in New Orleans since 1868;
soon after my arrival ] engaged In the dis
tillery business; Judge Deaf oame hsre
Wsshingto st that time had loo barrels
Of whisky, which purchased from broker
e eighty two and halt cents Per gallon;
Iwas told by parties that could Get tho
vhieky released for 80 per barrel, which
refused to pay; the offer was then made to
have 1t released for Is per barrel, which
slso refused to pay; ! was advised to eco
Judge Dent.
Mr.. Congsr objected to investigations By
he committee Of matters mot relating to
present government officials.
Mr.. Stevenson observed that the inv esti-
CATION would lead to that question ulti-
nately.
On being informed Of Judge Dents
eeath, Mr.. Stevenson ahstained from push-
hg the investigation further in that direc-
ion, and was in favor Of having that ror-
ion of the testimony relating to Judge
Dent stricken ont.
The question also afose - to the policy Of
hking evidence - far hack - 1863. It
sas agreed that the names Of parties - far
Dack o. that date should NOT be mentioned
unless it was absolutely necessary to the
ease.
Mr.. Gibson here stated that he would at
future time submit to the committee :
statement Of witnesses who had been sent
ont of the city upon one pretense or
smother, who either would not or could not
obey tho summons Of : subpenA
Examination resumed = The tax ON
whisky at this time was q per gallon; Mr..
Catlin saw . party - suggested. and the
whisky was releassd; know Colonel
Casey, collector Of customs; On one ooea-
sion Colonel Casey sent for mo and pro-
posed going into the Disabling business
With me on third interest. and that be
1870 or tho winter Of 1871; the ofer WAS
made in room known - Mr.. Herwig's
private Office, and, after my distillery had
teen seizei; he proposed that ] should
tart again; / declined Colonel Cseey's
s6er, giving - reason that be was too big
nan tor me to enter into partner1hip with.
ss if got into trouble he would leave me-
70 get ont ~ best could; he said If l
would give him an interest be would see
that the officers did not interfere with me;
my dietiilsry was seized by Colonel Stock
dale, who succeeded General Steadman ~
collector of internal revenue; l proposed
that he put up SIC, 900 for the partnership,
but Collector Casey said he was unable to
do that.
. distillery at this time without collusion
with the officials, - they controlled tho
distiller entirely; my 6istillery had been
closed some time when the conversation
with Colonel Casey took place; afterward
obtained possession Of tho distillery
through the courts; the interyew with the
collector wss . private one; Captain Sam
Colonel Casey wanted to SEQ me about my
distillery; that he was anxiOus should
commence again; at that time there was .
general desire TO carry on the dlst1liefy
business; 1 understood that Colonel Casey
proposed to stop any illegal interference OF
the officials; they had been interfering with
me for the purpose OF bssckmail; on one
tilery from the officers here; telegraphed
to Washington and received in -vpiy the
answer that there was nothing there re-
pOrtedsagainst the dietillery.
To Mr.. Stevenson-C Colonel Casey wanted
oue-third of the profits to make the officers
attend to their legitimate duties; they took
from the distiller nearly all his capital; In
night to them before the distillery could be
run the next week; that was fair sample
Of the charges; the officers ct this time con.
slsted of General Steadman - collector OF
internal revenue, Colonel Woolfey assessor
and Colonel Moe deputy collector.
Mr. Conger asked if these officials were
not Democrats, appointed under Demo
cratic administration.
The witness expressing doubt as to all
of them being Democrats, Messrs. Gibson,
Stevenson and Conger had few mild words
as to the policy or impolicy Of inquiring
whether frauds occurred under this or that
administration, or whether the parties com
hitting the same were Democrats Or Re-
publicans. The two former gentlemen and
Mr.. New represented that the duty of the
committee was to expose government frauds
irrespective of party or politics. Mr.. Con-
ger, however, maintained that the purpose
of the committee was to hunt mp frauds
perpetrated under the present administra-
tration, as reflection against that admin
istra,icn and the party in power. Thepoint
raised, however, Of the impropriety Of ask
ing witnesses whether they were Republi-
cans or D mocrats, or who they voted for
at this or that election, was agreed by all
the member to be subject which should
not be broached for the future.
Examination resumed-Mr. Conger, ask
ing witness whether in his opinion or knOwl-
edge, Colonel EtOckdale was Q corrupt or
upright official, Mr.. Catlin preferred not
saying anything relative to Colonel Stock
dale, as he was dead.
Henry Larsen being sworn, testified as
followe:
Twas born in New Orleans; l am clerk
for the Lone Star Line Towboat Company;
was in the shipping business in 1872;
was never in the employment of the gov.
ernment: in that year called upon Cen
eral Sypher and requested his influence to
have me appointed United States shipping
commissioner; he said he would do what ne
oould provided I worked for him during
election time; be was running tor Congress;
agreed to do 90; went to Sypher's house
in company with o man named Ferguson
about the starting of club; after the
: club was started Mr.. Sypher asked II
my brother up in the country would
work for him If he sent him couple Of
barrels of whisky; / received money from
General Sypher several times, one time $lO;
and another time $50; the most 70
ceived as one time was $6O; ON
A. hcAn hn N i