The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-05-07
+" Ring" Politics.

We make the following extracts
from a lengthy article in the Wash
ington National Republican, on ring
politics:
There are two Democratic factions
in Louisiana who are fighting for
the spoils. Senator Gibson, ex-Sen-
ator Jonas, and Representative King
lead the 'fsilk stockings" Two of
them, by virtue of their official posi-
tions, the other, ex-senator Jonas,
because Of his power as member of
the National Committee.
The "ring" and the roughs COM
pose the other faction. Senator J.
B. Eustis, fossil, is the leader of
this faction. With HIM is McEnery,
the temperance ~ Governor. F. N.
Ogden is named as the Executive
the arm of this combination. He
was formerly opposed by the ''ring"
and beaten for the nomination for
Governor, but State Treasurer Burke,
who is the brains of this combine
ton and it's actual head, saw the
necessity for securing Ogden, and he
was secured. Burke was a Republi-
can in Warmoth's day, and as late as
1877 swore before a Committee of
Congress to that fact. But, Burke
is smart, and like Daniel at the feast
of Belshazzar, could translate the
hand writing ON the wall, so that he
became Democrat, and stepped up
to the head of the ring.
One of Burke's most efficient aids
is Jimmie" Houston, as he is popu-
larly known. He began his career
in Louisiana as Republican because
the Republicans were on top. An
accident, fatal to the man who was
in his way, opened the way for Hous-
toms promotion, and he went rapidly
to the front. Burke showed unto
Jimmie the green pastures that were
on the Democratic side of the fence,
and he slipped over, influence, pistol
and all. He was rewarded with one
of the most lucrative offices in the
State. Houston was made strong by
the sudden violent death of an anti
ring Democrat in primary election
row, and was acknowledges ''boss.
Jimmie" was manager for Eustis,
and elected him to the Senate over
Jonas and Chief Justice Manning,
and is a power. Last year, when
Houston went to New York, he car
ried letter to the present Secretary
Manning from Burke, which closed
by referring to Houston as 'the best
danger line man in Louisiana. He
is now here, having been summoned
by the principal leaders to assist in
securing Offices.
The ring want Gen. Ogden TO,
Collector of theport of New Orleans
They want Larry O'Donnell as U. S
District Attorney, and wanted O. G
Cordell as Naval officer, and failed tt
get him. They want Ealer, Hous
toms brother-in-law, as Supervising
Inspector of steam boilers for thu
Tenth District, though he is not al
engineer, but q irst-class Mississippi
River pilot, whose only skill as I
mechanic is to pull the ''go-a-head'
and sfback her" BELLS" and turn tn,
wheel in the pilot-houss.
Gibson and Jonas, who represen
the intelligence and wealth of Louis
lana, succeeded in having Kernoehal
appointed Naval Officer. He is
gentleman Of good standing, and thi
alarmed Eustis and Burke, so the,
sent for the ''best man on the DANCE
line" and Jimmie" is here. Con
dell, whom Eustis wanted appointed
used to train with the Republicans
The capture Of the Federal pa
. tronage oil Louisiana is an absolut
necessity for the ring. The Legis
; lature holds four years, and the on
to be elected next selects tn
J successor Of Senator Gibson. Maio
l hos he nxvn rSH e~oj