Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1879 — A BOARD BILL [ARTICLE]

A BOARD BILL

Presented to Hayes and Sherman by One Casanave, of Louisiana, Accompanied by a meaning Threat to Show Them Up if They Did Not Come Down. Seventeen Hundred an Fifty Dollars Paid to the President-Maker .After Considerable Delay. Meaty Letter- from Casanave to the President. He Protests Against Being Left to Hold the Bag While the Other Fellows Get Away With the Swag. [Washington Cor. Chicago Times.] John Sherman, when he went to Louisiana to manipulate the Returning Board iu Mr. Hayes’ interest, saddled himself down with a crowd of Louisiana men who are continually howling for more rewards undor Ihreats of exposure of his complicity in their peculiar political transactions. The number of people who have been caied for simply to stop their troublesome mouths is as notorious as it is extraordinary. In cariug for the political remnants of the Returning Board the administration has overlooked one. Casanave. He is a sad-dle-colored brother, and, perhaps, here lies the discrimination. Some time ago the members of the Returning Board were prosecuted for thoir fraud. They employed attorneys jointly and have since been sued by their counsel for their fees in defending them, judgments being obtained. As Casanave has never received any reward from the administration, he has had no money to satisfy these judgments. This has resulted in a trip to Washington and a cool demand that Sherman put up the money for him. How Sherman has pai tly complied with liis demands is related in an extraordinary statement, in the form of an interview, prepared and corrected by Casanave himself just bes .re he returned to New Orleans. After a tediously egotistical introduction, in which he describes himself as “a pleasant andagreeablegentleman of culture and polished manne s so characteristic of educated gentlemen of his nationality—he is of French extraction— and exhibits in Iris manners that fine sense of honor so universal among his people,” ho goes on as follows: “Wlienihese criminal proceedings were begun, Messrs. Anderson and Wells, against whom the prosecution was particularly and especially directed, employed Messrs Cullum and Cascillane, attorneys, to defend them. I assented to it upon assurance from Mr. Anderson, who showed me a letter, which he said was from Washington, and, I supposed, written by Secretary Sherman, to tho effect that funds would be sent to defray all the expenses incurred for our defense. After the trial, and the acquittal of Anderson, Messrs. Cullum and Gastillaue demanded their fee, and, after repeated efforts to collect it, they sued the board and got judgment. The other members having notlnrg, my property was seizod and advertised for sale by the Sheriff to pay the amount. The judgment was originally $5,000, but $1,875 has been paid, leaving a balance of $3,125.” “Do tire other members of the board refuse to pay this amount V ” “Well, they have failed to do it” “Aro they not holding good offices in the New Orleans Custom House? ” “ Yes. Anderson, Wells and Kenner, and all their family connections, numbering not less than forty persons, are drawing money from the United States Government, besides the stealings, which, if what evoiybody says is true, amount every month to as much as this judgment.” “How did you happen to come here about this matter? I should think that the other members, having such good places in the Custom House, would not care to have this case brought to the attention of the administration ? ” “ Before coming here I called upon Anderson and Kenner, who refused to pay anything. I went to Wells’ office frequently to see him, but could never find him. He has been absent from his office a long time, and it is difficult to find him. Seeing that I could get no assistance from the other members, and being pressed continually for payment by the attorney, who threatened to sell me out at Sheriff’s sale, if I did not pay speedily, I thought I would come to Washington and seek relief from those I had helped in!o the high and lucrative offices which they now hold. This is what brought me here. I could get nothing out of the officers in Louisiana. Therefore, I came to try those higher up, but no less the creatures of the Returning Board. I had great confidence in my mission here, remembering the ancient Spanish saying that ‘it is not much to give a leg to nim who gave you the fowl.’” “How many appointments have Anderson, Wells and Kenner of their family connections and friends in the New Orleans Custom House?” “ Not less than fifty, including sons, sons-in-law and fathers-in-law and their sons.

“To illustrate: There is Anderson, deputy collector, salary, $3,000; Anderson’s son, clerk, salary $1,400; Ben Bloomfield (Anderson’s son’s father-in-law), auditor, $2,500; Geo. Bloomfield (son of Ben, and brother-in-law .of Anderson’s son), clerk, $1,200; R. Notilie (friend of Andersod), salary, $1,460; LouisDemaraise (friend of Anderson), salary, $2,500; William R. Johnson (friend of Anderson), $1,600; and Louis E. Salles, also a friend of Anderson, $2,000 per annum. Mr. Salles has charge of the dead-head and sinecure roll which has drawn from the treasury from $1,500 to $3,000 for each month since Anderson and Wells have controlled the New Orleans Custom House, and this fact must be well known to the Secretary of the Treasury. Then there are Louis M Kenner, deputy naval officer, salary, $2,500; a brother (Alexander Kenner), clerk, $1,600; another brother (Dick Kenner), S6OO per annum. Wells is surveyor of the port, at a salary and fees amounting to upward of $3,000; his son (Alex. Wells), deputy surveyor, at a salary of $2,500; R. R. Robinson (son-in-lawof Wells),salary, $1,600; 8. S. Wells (son), salary, SI,OBO, and others of the family connections.” “ Who have you seen about this matter of relieving you from paying this judgment?” “ I called on the President in company with Gen. Sypher the next day after my arrival. He treated me courteously, but made no offer to relieve me and remarked that he had nothing to do with it, but advised me to see Anderson, who, he thought, would settle it Gen. Sypher suggested to the President that he convey his wishes in this regard to Mr. Anderson in authoritative form, which would no doubt induce Anderson to pay, but for me [Casanave] to return to Louisiana with the President’s verbal message would be nseless. The President took alarm at this suggestion and retreated behind the Cabinet, which was about assembling. I also called on Secretary McCrary, who expressed much sympathy for me and said: ‘lf I was able I would pay this judgment myself, but I am a poor man and live entirely on my salary. It should be paid at once. ’ Of course I was very grateful to the Secretary for these kind expressions. I next saw Messrs. Shellabarger and Wilson, to whom I explained my case. They advised me to see Assistant Secretary Hawley, which I did in company with Gen. Sypher. Mr. Hawlev referred me to Mr. Shellabarger, who, he said, would attend to it. I saw Messrs. Shellabarger and Wilson, who assured me, on the promise of Mr. Hawley, that the money would be raised on the return of Mr. Sherman, who was then in Maine and would be home in & week. I waited contented a week, believing it would be satisfactorily arranged. I called on Mr. Sherman on his return, who*received me very cordially. I stated my case to him, explaining bow my property was about to be sacrificed, and showed him a copy of the Sheriff’s writ. He answered that he knew nothing about it, and that he did not soe why Anderson did not settle this matter, but that the money ought to be raised, and that he would give me SIOO, which he attempted to take from his pocket, remarking, at the same time, ‘ You go and see some of the leading Republicans and collect something from them.’ Mv reply to him was: •I have been to seethe President jmd ypwself,

and I know no other leading Republicans. Is that the best you can do forme, Mr. Secretary?’ He answered: ‘That is all I can do. lam only here on a salary, and I can’t pay everything!’ I then took my hat, as I did so, saying: ‘I thank you, sir. That amount would not pay my traveling expenses to Washington! Then I left his office, being very much disappointed and depressed at the thought that I was going to be sacrificed and ruined while others were being enriched in the high offices into which they had climbed on the ladder I helped to set up. For the first time in my life I realized the force of the French aphorism, ‘Serve a great man and you will know what sorrow is.’ I again sought the advice of Shellabarger, to whom I expressed my great disappointment at the manner in which I had been treated by the Secretary after having been assured upon the word of Mr. Hawley that the matter would bo arranged on the return of Mr. Sherman from Maine. In my excited feelings I said to Mr. Shellabarger that I would expose the whole matter of the Returning Board proceedings and go home and pocket the loss. He very kindly advised me not to throw the handle after the pot, but wrote a letter setting forth tho facts in the case, and advised me to wait results for a few days. I acted upon his advice and prepared a letter, a copy of which I will furnish you, which I delivered to the President and a copy to Mr. Sherman. In a few hours after the delivery of this letter, I was informed that SSOO had been sent to Collector Badger at New Orloans, to apply iu payment of the judgment, and that more would be sent. The next day 1 was told that SSOO more had been forwarded to be applied in the same manner, which I have since learned is not correct. “The second installment of SSOO was not sent. On the morning of the 13th I received this dispatch from home: “New Orleans, La., Aug. 2,1879. “G. Casanave, Washington, IX O.: “The stable and contents advertised to be sold Saturday, l(!th. Wliat am I to do? P. Casanave. “This alarmed me very much, and I went at once with the dispatch to Messrs. Shellabarger and Wilson,and appealed to them to see Secretary Sherman immediately, and get a defiuite answer whether relief would be given me, and if so, when, as the time for the sale was only three days off; for if no relief was to be expected from the administration I would go home at once and try to save my property. In a few hours, affording time for a conference between Sherman and his attorneys, this dispatch was handed me by Mr. Shellabarger, which he asked me to send, and I did so at my own expense; “ Washington. I). C., Aug. 13, 1879. a “To E. North Cullum, New Orleans, La., Exchange Alley, near Custom House street: “Should we send SI,OOO more on Returning Board judgment, will you give reasonable time for balance? Shellabarger k Wilson. “To which the following is a reply shown me by Mr. Shellabarger:

“New Orleans. La., Aug. 13, 1879. “Messrs. Shellabarger k Wilson, Washington. D. C.: “Ts you send me $2.50 mors, making a total of $1 ,750. and Casanave will give security not to dispose of his property, I will wait fill Jan. 1. “ E. North Cullum. “After reading this dispatch I said to Mr. Shellabarger that I desired the matter definitely Bottled, so that I could be relieved and my property released from tne eustody of the Sheriff, and that I could not give security for the payment of the balance of the judgment. Mr. Shellabarger wrote this substantially on the back of the telegram inclosed in an envelope, and I carried it to Mr. Sherman. In about an hour after I called on Mr. Shellabarger to learn if he had received any answer. He said, yes. Webb Hayes had just been there, and said that a detective reported that there was fraud and collusion in this matter, and that the whole thing was dropped, and that I should go to see the President This statement overwhelmed me with surprise. I was completely dumbfounded. I finally said that I would go to the President if Mr. Shellabarger would give me a note to him saying that he desired to see me He gave me this card: “I recommend Cassnave to call on tbe President to give him the opportunity to bj eak to Casanave about the Laud that the detective spoke about, provided the President so desires. S. S. “ I called at the White House and learned that the President had gone for the day. This thing worried me terribly, and I went to my room thinking about Hayes charging me with fraud and collusion. Fraud and collusion for $3,000! And even that amount, if raised, would not be ?aid to me! I might nave made sso,o(X)onceif had committed a fraud, and I think it would have been in the interest of the country and good morals if I had taken the money. For not doing so I have been pronounced a fool. After sleeping on the matter I concluded that if I did not want to lose my character, as well as my property, I had Detter quit the company of Mr. Hayes and his Secretary of the Treasury. I may be able to stand the loss of my property, but to be charged with fraud and collusion by this administration ought to shame the devil, i determined to return home at once, and made preparations to do so, but before doing so I concluded to call once more on Mr. Shellabarger, who had been so kind to me. I did so, and stated my grievance again, including the fraud story, which I denounced as false and infamous. He went to the Secretary again and in a little while returned and handed me this despatch, which I signed and sent to Mr Cullum: “Washington, D. 0., Aug. 15,18i9. ‘ E. North Cullum, Exchange alley. New Orleans, La.: “Will tivse SI,OOO to be mailed to-day, provided you wait till January for the balance and stop sales to-morrow. Answer immediately. “G. Casanavs “ To which I received the reply: “New Orleans. La., Aug. 15,1879. “G. Casanave, Washington, D. C.: “I will not. Sale goes on. E. North Cullum. “ 1 handed the dispatch to Mr. Shellabarger, who indorsed on the back as follows: “lielegraphed that I would send the SI,OOO if the sale would be stopped and the plaintiff wait for the balance until January. This is the answer. What shall I do with the $1,000? “To Secretary Sherman. “I delivered this to Mr. Sherman at the Cabinet meeting through a messenger. He returned it to Mr. Shellabarger written upon as follows: “ You may offer the twelve hundred and fifty dollars. J. S. “Upon receiving this I telegraphed Cullum as follows. (Mr. Shellabarger wrote the telegram): “ If stop sale and wait for the balance till Janu ary will send twelve hundred and fifty to-morrow and arrange the security you ask.

“To which I received the following reply, which I handed to Mr. Shellabarger late Friday evening: “ New Obleans, Aug. 15,1879. “G. Casanave, Washington. D C.: “See my telegram to Shellabarger and Wilson. I must have in hand $1,75(1 by 10 a. m. to-morrow. If not sale shall go on. The security you offer satisfactory. E. North Cullum. “On Saturday morning Mr. Shellabarger telegraphed Collector Badger to turn over the SSOO for Cullum and deposited $1,250 to Cullum’s credit in Riggs’ Bank, and he said Mr. Riggs had telegraphed Cullum to draw for that amount About 2 o’clock I received this telegraph from my brother: “ New Orleans, La., Aug. 16,1879. “G. Casanave, Washington.D. C.: “All proceedings stopped until Jan. 1. “P. Casanave “Here ends the first chapter.” “Then, if I understand you correctly, the administration has paid on tnis judgment aga : nst the Returning Board, for the payment of which yonr property was seized by the Sheriff, $1,750.” “Yes, sir. After pleadmg and begging for seventy-five days I wormed out of the administration this amount.” “How much will remain unpaid?” “The balance of the judgment unpaid will be $1,375, besides the costs of court and the Sheriff's costs, which will amount to perhaps SI,OOO more.” “Who do you expect to pay for all this?” “I can’t tell; but according to the arrangement made with Mr. Cullum, who received the $1,750, I am expected to give security for its payment when I get home.” “You seem to have been badly treated.” “Yes, sir; I have been. I have suffered both socially and materially. For my services in 1872 I received State warrants, which I negotiated at a heavy discount. In 1876 I received no compensation whatever, but was dragged from my home and business to Washington and confined thirty-three days in the Capitol, as I have before stated, and afterwards incarcerated in the parish prison m New Orleans, and when I was discharged here, in company with others of the board, I went to the Sergeant-at-Arms, John G. Thompson, to inquire what provision had been made for defraying our expenses, and to ascertain how we were to get home, and wo were politely informed by that dignitary that we might walk home. My present visit is an additional expense. I have already been here three weeks. If A part of the judgment falls upon me, which is now possible, I do not know what thewholeof my outlay will be. Heretofore my standing and credit have been good, as any honorable man in New Orleans who knows mo will cheerfully testify. My business was prosperous and profitable, but, since my connection with Wells and Anderson and Returning Board matters. { feaye been proscribed in various ways."

“ Have yon never received anything in the way of compensation for your services or expenses from the administration?” “No; nothing whatever. Yes—l mistake. I did receive something. On the 3d of March, 1876, when the Returning Board members were set at liberty from their imprisonment in the Capitol, we caUed on Mr. Hayes, who was slopping at Mr. Sherman’s, on K street He received us with a gush, and invited ns to take a petite sandwioh and a cup of coffee. This is the extent of his favors to me. My relations to this administration have been like the tailor of CampeUo, ‘ who worked for nothing and found thread. ’ ” “Mr. Casanave, when do you expect to return to your home in Louisiana? ” “I hope to shake the dust of Washington from my feet within the next twenty-four hours .and not to return until this administration, which betrayed the Republican party of my State, shall Lave terminated its infamous existence. CASANAVE TO THE PRESIDENT, The following is Casanave’s letter to the President, written on the 7th of this month, in which he enumerates his troubles. It is not reasonable to suppose that Casanave would make the demands and statements of the last few days if he did not have an unusual claim upon the administration. Friends of tho Sherman boom ought to be the ones to explain the nature of this"claim: Washington, D. C., Ai g. 7,1879. Mr. President: I have the honor to invite your attention to ihe following fan's, upon which I respectfully solicit such relief as you msy be able to off r me. Ia 1872 1 was elected by the State Senate of Loui-iana a n e nlerof the R turning Board of that State. I did n tdis're n>r tolieit the cilice, an il accepted it with great reluctance. In 187(i the grave a id responsible duty of determining tne result of the election for President of t_e United States devolved upon that board. Its de iberaiOLS were watched with profound solicitude by the whole coun ry, while the leaders of two great political parlies novei-ed around it awa’ting the result of i s deliberations with that int nse auxi ty only known t > expectants of the spoils of public office, The board foun t for the Republic us, and tlie Democrats, disappointed and cuagrined, at once commenced criminal proceedings against its members. Counsel wero employe I to ilefend us at a stipulated fee of $5 000. which Mr. T. C. Anderson assured me would be paid out of funds to be sent from Washington. At the conclusion of the prosecution, coun-el demanded their fee. which, not being paid, they instituted suit, av.d after a hearing in court obtained judgment against all the members of the board. A writ of fleri facias (copy herewith inclosed) was issued directing tne Sheriff to seize and sell sufficient property of the defendants to satisfy the judgment of $5,000, less $1,875. Ihe Sheriff, finding do property belonging to Anderson, Wells and Kenner, seized my property, and now holds Ihe same subject to sale under his writ. If my property is sacrificed under that execution it will render me bankrupt. I am a poor man, and am unable to sustain such a loss. I have always assumed a full share of tbe responsibility attaching to the official acts of the Returning Board, although I liave never enjoyed of the fruits resulting from its findings, and in this connection I would respectfully remind you that 1 hold no office under your administration, and have derived no pecuniary benefits whatsoever therefrom; but. on the contrary, I have sustained considerable loss in my business on account of my identity with the board. Messrs. Anderson, Wells and Kenner, the other three members, and their numerous family connections, are enjoying lucrative positions in the employ of the Government. I protest against being mulcted for the cost of the criminal proceedings against tho Returning Board while others enjoy the honor and emoluments resulting from the decision. It is neither just nor honorable to impose this heavyburden upon me. It would be more becoming the beneficiaries of our acts to discharge this dt bt. Upon my arrb al in Washington t»o weeks ago I was assured upon the promise of A ssislaut Secretary Hawley that ihe amount riquired to satisfy the judgment would be raised as soon as the Secretary returned. I called upon Mr. (Sherman yesterday and he proffered me a contribution of SIOO as the oDly relief he could offer me, which i.»« compelled to decline out of respect for the great Finance Minister of our Government. I < xpi ct to take my departure for Louisiana in a tew days, and if any arrangement can be made of this matter to offer me the relief to which, under these circumstances, I believe l am justly and honorably entitled, I will be under obligation to those through whose influence it may be accomplished. I am, very respectfully, G. Casanave. Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury— Dear Sir: I hereby incloso you a copy of an unofficial letter addressed to tho President. Very respectfully, G. Casanave. Washington, D. C., Aug. 7, 1879.

Collapse of tile Sherman Boom. [Washington Telegram to Chicago Times.] The general opinion amoDg Republicans at Washington is that the Sherman boom is nearly if not quite, at an end. There is no leading Republican who has so many bitter personal enemies as he, even among his own party associates. Then the culmination of his connection with the disreputable Louisiana crowd has not yet come. The Returning Board scoundrels will hang about his neck as heavy as mi! 1-stones before the next nominating convention. It is now understood why Casanave dared to talk as plainly as he did, and yet be certain that further drafts made by him will iiave to be honored. The next day after the expose of Casanave, Sherman said that the money raided had been subscribed by prominent Republicans, buc neither ho nor ins counsel, Shellabarger and Wilson, can name a single Republican who has paid or would pay a single cent to save the scoundrels from perdition. Besides this, Sherman says that money must be raised in some way to meet tho rest of the judgment. This shows that Casanave in his talk has by no means exhausted his resources.