Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-04-20
The Mutation In Louisiana.

The intelligent New Orleans correspcn-
dent of the New York Times draws a
gloomy picture of the condition of LOuisi-
ana. The State with its Two conflicting
governments is for all practical purposes
without any recognized head. Business is
at standstill. no important commercial
transactions are in progress, and, with
bankruptcy and ruin staring them in the
face, men, noted even for their freedom
from party passion, are beginning to approve
of the most desperate plans of the "W hite
League" In some Of the back parishes
there Is absolutely no law, except what is
administered by this Infamous organization.
The holding of courts in many parts of the
interior is impossible, inasmuch as in most
cases the sherifs are Republicans and
refuse TO recognize the judges appointed by
Nichols. Grimes against person and
property are rapidly increasing. Owing to
the conflict of authority between the two
governments, rogues of every class are op-
Grating almost with IMMUNITY in every part
Of the State. The complications in relation
to the payment of the taxes, are illustrated
hy the ease Of the Louisiana lottery company.
The corporation il bound by its charter
to pay the State a tax of $4,000 a
year in quarterly instal!ments. Not
knowing which government they should rec
ognize, the trustees recently placed $4,000
in 4 sealed envelope, directed to the auditor
of the State, and, having deposited it in the
State hank, notified both the Packard and
Nichols governments that their quarterly
tax was subject to the auditor of the State. |
Who the auditor is. the company left to the
bank officers to decide. Both governments |
claimed the money, which the bank officials |
refused 10 deliver up. The two auditors |
procured wits of the conflicting courts, call
ing on the bank for the money. The Nichols
shcril ,,rvcl his writ first, and seized the
Ii the Packard government
should he recognized, the company, of
course, will have lost the $1,000 Warned
by this occurrence large corporations and
property owners refuse to pay any taxes
whatever, and tax seizures and tax saloS are
constantly being made.
Oi the situation in New Orleans the cor
writes ~ follows under date Of
April llth
COY. rAoKARDS CITADEL
Approaching the State House this morn
ing found its main entrance surrounded by
a crowd Of colored and few white men,
who had come out into the sunshine for
breath Of the fresh Spring air. They wero
all attached to Gov. Packard's garrison, and
there were but few of them without arms in
heir hands or upon their persons. Ming
ing for a few moments in this crowd,
ound among the rest number of prom-
lent cOlored Republicans from the parishes
Some of them carried guns, they were in the
'anks with the field hands, md If Packard
,iyes the order they are all ready to fight u
he death for the rights which it was at one
lime believed were assured to them by the
-esulto Of the war. How keenly men of
his class feel their position, and with what
intense bitterness they speak of the
southern policy of tho national Admins
ration ! am almost unable to relate.
In the crowd at the door ! found one old col
red man whom have known for some years,
md who, ever since the war, has taken "A
prominent part in the politics of the State.
lie is II man Of sound sense and good educa-
ion, and has always been a keen political
observer Such being the case, ! was aston
mt colored people, firmly believed that the
luccess Of the Democrats would eventually
cad To the slavery OF the negro. Regarding
his question, he said at il only matter OF
time. At first they might treat us well
enough, but when they find themselves in
nndisputed power, we may bid goodbye to
any privileges which we now ENJOY Our
public schools will be taken from us first, for
if there is one thing more than another that
a Southern planter hates. it is an educated
colored labOrer."
&" But, said |, "Gcn. Nichols and all the
prominent white Democrats in the State
have promised that, in tho event of their
and success. they will not inter
fere with your rights or privileges in any
way"
80, yes, of course, was the significant '