The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-04-11
Louisiana Commission.


NEw ORLEANS, April 10-The Com
mission met shortly betor ten o'clock this
morning. After some consultation
among themselves, they received dele
cation of about thirty colored men, of all
classes, representing the learned profess
siOns, ard some CT them being merchants
and others brokers and planters. Col.
James Lewis, the commander of col.
ored regiment during the war, headed
the delegation. Addresses were made
by Rev. Mr.. Bryant T. Morris
Chester, Mr.. Ashwood, snd Mr.. 7. d. S.
Tucker. All of them We're very
able addresses. In general they portray
ed the struggles and hardships of theiI
race and the necessity of protection.
They asked the national government 10
assist in restoring the title of Governor
Packard rs the equs! of the title Of
President Hayes, but they intimsted that
if Nichols was ultimately 10 become
Governor they would like to be heard
upon the matter, not for the purpose OF
trading, but for guarantees tor the
future of their rscs. They impressed
the Commission as able and
faithful man. Messrs. McVeigh, Hsr-
Ian, Hswley and Judge Lawrence re-
sponded The interview lasted till one
o'clock, a delegation next appeared head
ed by Ex-Governor Baker, formerly
the military governor OF Louisiana,
who with several others presented state
ments and opinions, and similar volun-
teer committees followed, composed OF
old Union men of the State. Six men
came next representing the judicial
districts of the State, among
them Judges Marks and Pardee,
and gave their opinion conceru-
irg the sllegiances in their sew.
ersl district. to the Packard government
and the ability of Packard to maintain
himself.
Mayor Pilsbury and five gentlemen
of the city council came before the com.
mission, offering the courtesies OF the
city and presenting many verbal and
written statements concerning the condi-
ton of the city government. The city
debt in 1874 was $4,000 900; it is now
S22 100000. The tax list is 10000, ,OOO
and OF the State ia 100000. The
population of the city is $4,000 The rate
OF taxation in the city was, in 1874, 2!
cents en- the dollar, in 1875 y cents on
the dollar and in 1876 4 cent on the
dollar. The state and city taxation now
together are 29l mills on the dollar. The
mayor presented msny other figures OF
great interest, showing the burdens and
embsrrassments of the people, and a.
frmed tn It the city would do what it
could and had no disposition TO repudiste.
Other citizens called singly and in
groups, from different parts OF the state,
and gave information u the Coommis-
sion respecting the situation in
their several localities, urging their
opinions on the Commission. The
Commission consented to meet in the
morning II small delegation OF business
men of this city, and also the Board OF
Execution of the State. The Commission
have addressed communication To a
com nIttee OF each legislative body,
asking them to furnish a map OF the State
showing the various Judicial districts,
alleged disturbance OF the Kellogg Pack
ard Supreme Court aud the creation of Il
court in place thereof by Nichols. and
also a statement in relation TO District
Judges how many Republicans and how
many Democrats, with the political course
of each respecting which Governor he
recognizes and his acts ofpcognltlon; also
with regard to the police juries, who cor
respond in each parish 10 the selectmen
or the County Commissioners in the
Northern States, go far rs those police
juries may have automatically reported
concerning the allegiance OF one or the
other of the governments. Similar
statements have been requested with re-
gard to the other officers, and also n, 10
the contract OF various State Institutions;
also, rs to the vote Of the State divided
according to color and to party; also
statements as to the taxes collected hy
either o: the State governments sin o
lis organIz ,tlon, and the clsburs ;men .
that have been made, mi ary
other facts which may tend 10
show the actual control OF the State, etc,
etc. When the Commission are not IN
session they are individually conterriag
and advising with citizens Of all parties,
while they are pursuing an official line
of investigation aid inquiry. While there
are, of course innumersble communics.
tioaS going on and calculations of the
future among politicians OF all parties,
they are lisbIe At any moment to see alI
their work taken away from them by
some unexpected combination o: affairs.
They are careful to disclsim any connec-
tion with compromise or bargains Of
any sort and refrain from conversation
rs regards the Scnatorships or the Fed
ersl patronage.