The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-23
THE REPUBLICANS ON THE RAILROAD
Meeting i'm the Third ward Last Night ON
the Coming Election.

| Meeting i'm the Third ward Last Night on
the Coming Election.
Pursuant to q published call the Republicans
of the Third Ward met last night at Clay Hall, on
Perdido street, and there we're about 500 present
| President W. L. Evans was in the chair, and
stated that the object OF the meeting was 10
listen to the views of those in attendance on the
| Pacific Railroad tax question.
| Mr.. John Fitzpatrick came forward, and in q
pointed manner explained why it was In his opin.
| ion against the interests OF the aboring man to
| vote on the railroad side He alluded to the nd
vertised call for 1900 workingmen to labor on the
| road, and said that this employment would only
last until after the election OF the 25tb. when
penitentiary coDviots would be placed at work.
The crowd aPplauded him repeatedly, and as he
| sat down, he asked for an expression OF opinion
from the other SIDE
Capt. Joseph then came forward, at the re.
quest Of the meeting. He said he would present
the case OF the railroad company, as he WAS in
favor of the tag. He said, about year ago, he
was against the railroad, but after trip North
he had become an advocate OF railroads every
where. Fifty years ago Louisiana had her
two railroads and the North had none; now the
North had her hundred and Louisiana rests
upon her oars while her Texas trade is drained
away.
Salvador Francisco, oolored, next addressed the
meeting. He said th At railroad monopolies took
from the aborers their support. He argued that
the imposition OF o tax for the rad would in
crease The house rent of every member in the
room, He alleged that Col s. l.. James would
throw out OF employment great many.
Geo. Devezin was the next speaker, who spoke
in favor OF the railroad.
He said that he asked no man TO vote az he
did, but he wanted to express his ideas. He,
when the crowd laughed at him, said that the
crowd always followed those who had led them
willingly, and they did not know their own saliva
ton. He said that the present condition Of af-
fairs WAS brought about by the tapping Of the
Texas Railroad, and il this Pacific road was built
trade would be increased here greatly.
Judge w. l.. Evans next was called. He said
that he had entered the meeting room without
any intention OF speaking, but as Dol. Jack
Wharton was expected, he could only ask them
TO await him. He said that the company had not
called the meeting, and no one could say that IL
was In the interest Of any company. He referred
tn the remarks of Mr. Fitzpatrick, and COM
mented upon them and urged those present to
vote for the tax % the means,of saving the trade
OF New Orleans and helping the suffering labore T..
The crowd present at tnis point cheered him
vooiferously, having, 1t would seem, completely
changed their views and he concluded by intro
ducing Col. Jack Wharton. Col. Wharton g
speech, which was the event OF The evening, was
very strongly in opposition to the Property
Holders Union and in earnest advocacy Of the
railroad, and was nterspersed with many ansc-
dotes that brought out the risibles Of the Assem-
blage. He argued that, for the poor as well as
the rich man. the road would be beneficial and
that all sh 1uld cast their ballots in its favor. He
said he spoke as poor man not owning COL
lars worth Of stock in the corporation, and he
believed he spoke TO poor men who ought to
heed his counsel.
al hare raJ
plause, and he retired sfber which the meeting
adjourned.