Evening star., 1895-06-01
LOUISIANA POLITICS
Representative Meyer Expresses His
Views Quite Freely.
PROTECTION THE REPUBLICAN, ISSUE
The Silver Question Won't Gun
Much Of Figure.
INDORSES CARLISLES POLICY

Representative Meyer of Louisiana, &C.
companied by his wife, has arrived in the
city and will remain here during the next
month. It will be remembered that Mr..
Meyer played an important part In tho
fight in the House of Representatives over
the sugar bounty bill. His visit to Wash
ington at this time is to look after the
regulations for the proving Of cases by
the planters and to hasten action by the
Treasury Department, so that there may
be as little delay in the allowance Of the
claims as possible.
"Our people in louisiana" said Mr..
Meyer to a Star reporter today. ARE very
anxious to receive the bounty allowed
them by the last Congress as quickly as
possible, as all their future plans depend
upon the use Of this money. They are not
waiting, however, and are going ahead
perfecting plants for the refining of sugar
and for its production. They have no ex-
pectation of securing any profit from their
product this year. but they have been very
much encouraged by the increase In price
OF the product. though this increase has
been but small.
II think there will not be any unusual
delay in the payment of their claims. I
think the Treasury Department will for
Tulate regulations for proving claims in
reasonable manner. and 1 believe the
auditing of claims will be done promptly.
l have no fear that there will be any de-
lay in the payment of the claims by reason
OF the treasury deficit, as the money on
hand Will be sufficient to provide for the
expenses Of the government until Congress
meets. and then. if necessary, additional
| revenue can be provided"
The politicians of Louisiana are now pre-
pairing for ans election Of governor and
other state officers, to come come off next
April. and with this in view, the various
factions are busily engaged in outlining
the campaign that is to be fought.
Protection the Issue.
1.-The issue Of the next campaign in
louisiana" said Mr.. Meyer. will be pro-
lection, and this is the line on which the
republicans will make their efforts / do
not think any republican leaders there ex-
pect to carry the state. Their idea, SO far.
as can see, is to keep the party organiza-
ton together, so that in case of republi-
can victory in 1896 they may come in for
the patronage. This will make the faction
al fight in republican lines very hot and
| interesting. Under the Harrison admins
tration the rank and file of republicanism
in Louisiana was arrayed under the BAN
ner Of ex-Gov Yarmouth. but the Kellogg
faction so ingeniously manipulated affairs
that they got the patronage. This ex-
perience will cause the Louisiana repub-
licans to be very Jealous, and the factions
will endeavor to impress their Importance
on the state and on the country at large.
so that there will be no doubt about the
people to whom patronage is due If 1t
should be distributed by a republican Pres
| ident.
cThe republicans of Louisiana are very
extreme protectionists and also talk of a
free ballot and fair count as part of what
they want. There is some talk there of
harmonizng the Yarmouth and Kellogg
factions, but I should think that, in view
of the past attitude of these factions, that
will be hard thing to accomplish.
The Silver Question.
"Silver will not cut much of a figure in
the coming campaign. 1 believe that the
republicans indorse Sherman's attitude on
the money question. In the country dis
tricts of Louisiana there is a large free
coinage sentiment, while in New Orleans
the people generally are for bimetallsm.
though they are not In favor of free COIN
age, except under some international agree
ment. I believe that the democrats of New
Orleans are ready to accept the policy Of
are ready to discuss silver and are desir-
Gus of being instructed regarding it. The
people of Louisiana desire some financial
policy which will be best adapted to ad-
vancing the business interests of the coun-
try, especially of the poorer classes. The
republicans l believe to be opposed 10 Sill
yer.
1.-The democrats of Louisiana are giving
no attention to the question of a presiden-
tial nominee at the national convention.
That event seems to be too far off to re-
Quire thought at this time. With the re-
publicans there Mckinley appears to be
the favorite. because he stands most prom
inently es in favor of a high protective
tariff, and as have said, that is the one
issue that interests Louisiana republicans.
So far as the fight in the state convention
in Ohio is concerned, ! cannot see how that
would weaken Mckinley in the south.
There has been some talk of republicans
Of Louisiana uniting with the populists Of
the northern part of tho state. But this is
only talk, and it is impossible to judge
what the result will be-"
No Political Revolution Likely.
rs there any likelihood Of any consider
able political revolution n the south in the
| interest Of republicanism or populism?"
II do not think So While the democrats
Of the south have not been altogether satis-
fed with democratic legislation. or In every
instance with the policy pursued by the
administration, they do not look to the re-
publican party for any relief. The exper-
fence of North Carolina has made deep
impression on the people Of Louisiana and
has been instrumental in causing them to
look for whatever reforms relief they
may want within their own party organi-
cations.
80 far as the silver question is con-
cerned. speaking for myself. personally
can indorse the views of the President and
Mr.. Carlisle as more In accordance with
the eCeSSaTy COnulllon Oh IlnanCe at This
time than are the views of the silver demo-
Gratis. / believe in bimetallism. but l cam
not see that much advantage will be de-
rived by people of this country in under
taking to secure the unlimited coinage of
silver Independently.
MY view is that cur currency system and
banking system require remedial legisla-
ton, and that We can establish satis-
factory condition of finance much better
through such legislation than through free
silver / think that the legislation proposed
by Mr.. Carlisle in his bill. which was pre-
sented before the last House of Represen-
tatives. would give us the relief We need.
I believe the President would be favorable
to such legislation. and hope to see some
thing on those lines accomplished In the
next Congress.
Contested Election Cases.
'It now looks as II there would be three
cases of contested congressional elections
brought before the House Of Representa-
tives in the next Congress from Louisiana.
Testimony is being secured. and everything
is being done. in order to prepare these
cases on both sides. Benoit, the populist
candidate will contes. Representative
Boatner's seat, while Judge Taylor Beattie