New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-03


thorough cosmopolitan. whether in the wilderness
camp the emcrant train or the crowded city. Whar-
ton has never been out of tho fullest public notice,
and lie generally the centre of element or col
lection of mankind wherever he happens to 90. In
MANY respects he is entitled to DO called the Tom
Corwin Of the South. His political prominence has
been altogether beneath his abilities partly because
be has not associated the business element suffi-
GENTLY with bis adventures.
President Hayes appointed him United States
Marshal in spite Of considerable opposition tie has
madc one OF the best Marshals in the country. and
his reappointment has been solicited by the entire
bar of New-Orleans. by every member of the Stea M
boat Association, by the Cotton Exchange, and by
the business. social and military leaders without
distinction of section or party. Although very
many hungry rats, strangers in tins region and
without following, are covetous of his place it is
worth only about 500 q week. The people, how
ever, expect that he will be continued.
LOUIsIANAs ABLHsT MAN.
I asked Wharton whom he considered to have
been the ablcst man produced in louisiana
John Randolph Grymes" he replied. /" lie was
the most brilliant man w-Orleans ever had.
though cratic He received n fee OF one hundred
thousand dollars from the City Of Now-Orlcans to
represent her in a suit with the General Govern
mcnt He never knew what became OF tic money.
il went 40 fast When asked to proceed to Wash
ington to finish the matter. he demanded Sfo,oOo
moro for about two weeks work. and he got It,
His life was full OF brilliant episodes accompanied
with rccklessness He shot tho Speaker OF tho
Legislature for speaking against his wife. An I'M
putation had been mado against the ladys char
acteI aud Grymes said he didn't CONSIDER the truth
OF that at all and il it were true he didn't hold the
man in the case responsible; but Grymes said :
When the onenoer talked about it, then 1t became
nv business
ale married the widow Of wealthy and eminent
man. who lived apart from him most OF the time,
residing oil Staten Island Ncw-YorK. lie paid her
a visit every year, aud they were friendly, but it
was impossible for a woua an to live with Grymes.
lie was a relative Of John Randolph. and had come
OF the qualities Of that morbid but brilliant man"
CONFEDERATE COMMANDERS.
Referring to the Confederate commanders he had
acted with, Wharton said that one of the most ex-
traordinary was Earl Van Dom. lie was marti-
net IN many respects. He never permitted any
familiarity with himself by any of his officers or
staff while on duty; but at times when OF duty, he
could DO kind and cornwall. He fought the battle
of Pea Ridge Arkansas, and aferward the battle OF
Corinth- against Rosecrans-oEe OF the most ter
rifle battles OF the war, for which Van Dorm was
some what censured on account Of the heavy losses
he met with in his fcrocous assaults. lie was
finally shot by jealous husband.
Wharton GescriDes the rebel cavaryman Forrest
as being one OF tho most ignorant men be ever saw,
hardly able TO write his own name Before the
war. Forrest and Morgan l.. Smith. aiterward
Major General in the Federal Army had been stove
dealers together. one operating in ~. Louis and
the other in Memphis. Forrest was terrible bragg
CART and had not much regard for his word. vet he
In f.ar mad huda n tenn nerf at
he was dangerous to friends we'll ss foes. fhe had
ever received sufficient insult slight from the
Confederate Government, he would not have had the
e asst hesitation in taking hls command ever TO the
Federal side. The key OF his character was his
passionate aud intense nature. On one occasion he
made out his reports, covering period OF days, OF
the number OF the enemy no had killed. and when
he had made his aggregate report he guessed lar
" idc of the sum OF his daily reports. General Van
Dorm was his superior. and his strict II arlnet dis
position was aroused by Forests loose way Of put
ting his Boosting and c1asgeration in the form Of
figures and he srnt for Forrest and told him: " |
want you TO explain tho discrepancy in your re-
ports" What is that T. said Forrest. lilo didn't
know what discrepancy meant. II want you TO
make the snm OF these figures in your daily reports
gree with the aggregate III your last report For
rest BEGAN to look fierce and walk up and down.
mean just tins" said Van Dorm in a cold soft voice
if this is true. that must I've false What. sirp
exclaimed Forrest like lion. say this, General
Forrest" continued Van Dorm without changing his
voice both OF these reports cannot be correct; If
Ills is correct. that must be incorrect"
Il have since thought" said Wharton, that
char gng the phrase from true and false 10 correct
and incorrect possibly saved Van Dorns life For
rest wouldn't have hesitatcd at any time to have
shot man that hurt his vanity"
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
The New Orleans Custom House u perhaps the |
greatest building of its Kind IN the woGld. 1t was
begun many years ago-some As long ago ~ 1918
and IS a perfect CITADEL the walls, III some places
being two yards thick. and capable of resisting
cannon. 1t IS still unfinished. but certain amount |
IF progress made every year. and it will not be
Ong before the building IL as ornamental internally |
- 1t is prOdigIons externally Owing to It's huge |
i've the accommodations Of the Post Office in one |
PORTION of 1t about the best have m this
country. The money order silice and all the depart
nents on the one floor.
The better portion of this building was desig
~ Robert Mills of South. Carolina, the public
rchect for long period of time. The great stair
way to the second floor. and the great room of the
;ustom House. would be noteworthy III any country
COLLECTOR BADGER.
The Collector of the Port, Colonel Badger is q
,Oyish looking man from Massachusetts,. He was q
ubor.inate officer in the war, and sometime after
he occupation of New-Orleans raised regiment OF
federal cavalry the State. Ills services were
teady though not especially brilliant. In course of
ime he bccame Chef of Police under Warmoth, and
rigadier General of the Louisiana State militia.
During the extrcmities TO which the Kellogg gov
were pushed, Badger and his police were
ut in exposed part of the city with piece or
wo of artillery. Tho White League, well organized
nd strong in numbers, made rush on this detach-
ient and large number of lives were lost. Badger