USA > Louisiana > Louisiana; comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, Volume II > Part 13
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By the uprising of Sept. 14. 1874 (see White League) the Kel- logg government was temporarily overthrown and the McEnery administration was placed in possession of the state house. But President Grant sent more soldiers to Louisiana, and at the same time ordered Gen. Emory not to recognize the McEnery govern- ment at any time. Under these circumstances Gov. McEnery, on the evening of the 17th addressed the following letter to Gen. John R. Brooke, surrendering the state property to the Federal authorities: "As the lawful and acting governor of this state, I surrender to you, as the representative of the government of the United States, the capitol and the remainder of the property in this city belonging to the state. This surrender is in response to a formal demand of Gen. Emory for such surrender, or to accept as an alternative the levying of war upon our government by the military forces of the United States under his command. As I have already said to Gen. Emory, we have neither the power nor the inclination to resist the government of the United States. Sir. I transfer to you the guardianship of the rights and liberties of the people of the state, and I trust and believe that you will give protection to all classes of our citizens ruled and ruined by a cor-
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rupt usurpation presided over by Mr. Kellogg. Our people could bear the wrongs, tyranny, annoyance and insults of that usurpation no longer. and they arose in their might, swept it from existence, and installed in authority the rightful government, of which I `am the head. All lovers of liberty throughout the Union must admit the patriotism that aroused our people to act as one man and throw off the yoke of this odious usurpation. I know as a soldier you have but to obey the orders of the government of the United States, but I feel that you will temper your military con- trol of affairs with moderation, and in all things exhibit that integ- rity of purpose characteristic of officers of the army. I now hand over to you, sir, the capitol and the other property of the state under my charge."
After the election of 1874 a Congressional committee investigated the situation in Louisiana, and in their report said: "If Louisiana was a country by itself. MeEnery and his associates would at once be installed in power: but the Conservatives do not propose to fight the Federal government. They submit, not because they want to, but because they must; not because they proclaim any enmity against the flag, not because of any hostility to the colored people because they are colored, but because they regard them- selves as defrauded out of the election of 1872, and yet more out of the last election, and because they think their state government has been to the last degree destructive and corrupt. Indeed, in our judgment, the substantial citizens of the state will submit to any fair determination of the question of the last election, or to anything by which they can secure a firm and good govern- ment. What they seek is peace and an opportunity for prosperity."
Simultaneously with this committee's report, Gen. P. H. Sheri- dan, who had been sent to Louisiana by the president, sent a despatch in which he said: "I think the terrorism now existing in Louisiana could be entirely removed and confidence and fair dealing established by the arrest and trial of the ringleaders of the armed White League. If Congress would pass a bill declaring them banditti, they could be tried by military commission. * * It is possible that, if the president would issue a proclamation declaring them banditti, no further action need be taken, except that which would devolve upon me." What a difference of opinion ! A committee, after a careful examination of the facts, agreed that what the people wanted was peace and an opportunity for pros- perity. A lieutenant-general of the army, with only a casual investigation, was ready to declare the people of Louisiana ban- ditti, and was evidently eager to assume the "duty that would devolve upon him" of trying by a military commission those most active in support of Gov. McEnery. Thus matters continued-the people recognized MeEnery as the governor de jure, but com- pelled by bayonets to acknowledge Kellogg as the governor de facto-until after the inauguration of Gov. Nicholls and the with- drawal of the Federal troops by order of President Hayes.
McEnery, Samuel Douglas, lawyer, governor and U. S. senator,
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was born at Monroe, La., May 28, 1837, a brother of John McEnery. who was elected governor of Louisiana in 1872. He was educated at Spring Hill college, near Mobile, Ala., the U. S. naval academy at Annapolis, Md., the University of Virginia, and in 1859 grad- uated at the State and National law school of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. For about a year after his admission to the bar he practiced in Missouri, and at the end of that time returned to Louisiana. At the beginning of the Civil war he entered the Confederate army as a member of a volunteer company called the Pelican Greys, and in 1862 was commissioned a lieutenant in the regular Confederate army. His early military service was with Gen. Magruder in Vir- ginia, after which he was placed in charge of a camp of instruc- tion at Trenton, La. After the war he resumed his law practice, and though several times importuned to become a candidate for- public office, he persistently declined until 1879, when he was. nominated for lieutenant-governor on the Democratic ticket. Upon the death of Gov. Wiltz in Oct., 1881, lie became governor, and in 1884 was elected governor for a full term of 4 years. In 1888 he was a candidate for a renomination, but was defeated in the con- vention by Gen. Francis T. Nicholls, who appointed Mr. McEnery an associate justice of the Louisiana supreme court for a term of 12 years. In 1892 he was again a candidate for governor, but was defeated by Murphy J. Foster, the anti-lottery candidate. On. May 28, 1896, he was elected to the U. S. senate to succeed Newton C. Blanchard, receiving 68 votes as against 66 for his opponent, Walter Denegre, who was supported by the Republicans, Popu- lists, and a portion of the Democratic party known as the Citizens' League. In 1902 he was reelected for the term expiring March 3, 1909, and in 1908 was reelected for the term expiring in 1915.
McEnery's Administration .- The administration of Gov. Samuel D. McEnery began on Oct. 17, 1881, the day following the death of Gov. Wiltz. W. A. Robertson, president of the senate, became ex-officio lieutenant-governor. MeEnery called the legislature to meet in special session at New Orleans on Dec. 5, "to enact laws making appropriations to defray the ordinary expenses of govern- ment, to pay the interest on the public debt, to support the public schools, universities and public charities in the State of Louisiana for the years 1882-83; to make appropriations concerning the state- house, for the redemptions of the state house warrants, and for the removal of the seat of government, and other purposes." In his message at the beginning of the extra session, the governor paid a tribute to the integrity and patriotism of the late Gov. Wiltz; feelingly alluded to the recent death of President Garfield: and spoke in optimistic terms of the outlook for the state. "No country," said he. "presents such advantages of water communica- tion. Nearly every locality is reached by a navigable stream. Their resources are attracting attention, and despite adverse cir- cumstances a wonderful development of those resources is going on. Trade and commerce are increasing. extended railroads are in process of construction, and manufactories are attracting uni-
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versal attention. *
* Race prejudices have subsided, and the people, white and colored, are a unit in striving to develop the resources of Louisiana. * * There is no reason, then, for the continued cry of 'Poor Louisiana and her impoverished people.' We must realize the fact that she is rich, and force her to the front rank of states."
On the subject of assessments and taxation he said: "The assessment roll for 1880 shows a valuation of $177.096,459.72, and for 1881, $181,660,291.32. This is wrong and should be corrected. Such valnations do us no credit. When the property of this state is thoroughly assessed, even at two-thirds of its value, it will show a valuation of quite $300,000,000. The constitutional limit on taxa- tion will then be more than sufficient. The tax rate can then be reduced, the state government sustained, and our state debt annually decreased. Confidence will be restored, our bonds will be on the market at a reasonable interest, commanding a premium ; capital will rapidly find its way here, and we will no longer be humiliated at the low credit of our state."
Only six acts were passed at the extra session. The 1st ap- propriated $27,080 to defray the expenses of the session; the 2nd authorized the state treasurer to pay over the balance in the old seminary fund to the state university ; the 3rd made provision for repairing the university buildings at Baton Rouge; the 4th appro- priated about $126,000 to complete the repairs on the capitol at Baton Rouge: the 5th appropriated money for the ordinary ex- penses of the state government, salaries, etc., interest on the pub- lic debt, the support of the public schools, charities, etc., for the six months ending on July 1. 1882; and the 6th act created a printing board. The session was brought to a close by limitation of time before the license and revenue bills were completed. and a second extra session was convened on Dec. 26, when an act was passed providing for the investment of the interest tax fund in the hands of the state's fiscal agent in U. S. bonds, and for the payment of the interest as it fell due.
Early in the year 1882 preparations were commenced for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the mouths of the Mississippi river by La Salle, when the unprecedented flood came and inundated hundreds of square miles of land, and the project was abandoned. This flood caused a loss of over $2,000,000 and unfortunately came at a time when the state treasury was in no condition to assist the sufferers. Congress came to aid of the state by issuing nearly 2,000,000 rations, giving liberal sums of money and sending a number of tents to shelter those who had been rendered homeless. Gov. McEnery chartered boats and re- moved many of those in the inundated districts to safer localities.
On March 31. 1883, the state treasurer reported cash balances on hand amounting to $775.876.76, of which about $560,000 was in the several funds for the payment of interest on the state debt. A levee convention was held at Baton Rouge on June 18 and 19. The governor presented a message embodying recommendations
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for the construction and repair of the levees, and a committee re- ported a comprehensive plan for carrying the recommendations into effect. (See Levees.) During the year there was considerable con- troversy over a contract entered into by Gov. Wiltz and John Mc- Enery for the reclamation of lands due the state from the United States. It was claimed. that whenever the contractor reclaimed 1,000 acres of sea marsh, worth probably 10 cents an acre, he was awarded scrip for 500 acres, which he could place on land worth ten times that amount. It was also charged that the state had been defranded through collusion with the register of the land office, who resigned in June. Gov. McEnery was severely criticised for permitting such a condition to exist, but he replied that the contract was in force when he came into office and he was powerless to cancel it. The contract was used against him, however, when he announced him- self as a candidate for renomination, and the primary campaign was marked by several serious disturbances in different parts of the state, the worst being in New Orleans. The Democratic state con- vention met at Baton Rouge on Dec. 18, and in consequence of the bitter fight over contested delegations did not adjourn until midnight of the 20th. The ticket nominated was as follows: Gov- ernor, Samuel D. McEnery ; lieutenant-governor, Clay Knobloch ; treasurer, E. A. Burke ; attorney-general, M. J. Cunningham ; secre- tary of state, Oscar Arroyo ; auditor, O. B. Steele; superintendent of education, Warren Easton.
The Republican state convention assembled in New Orleans on March 5, 1884, and nominated John A. Stevenson for governor ; W. M. Burwell, lieutenant-governor ; John H. Stone, attorney- general; F. W. Liggins, secretary of state; A. Duperrier, treasurer ; Claudius Mayo, auditor ; B. F. Flanders, superintendent of educa- tion. At the election on April 22 the entire Democratic ticket was elected by about 50,000 majority, and constitutional amendments concerning the judiciary and the state debt were ratified. The one relating to the state debt fixed the interest on the state bonds at 2 per cent for 5 years from Jan. 1. 1880, and at 4 per cent thereafter, authorized a tax of 3 mills on the dollar for the purpose of paying the interest, and limited the state tax for all purposes to 6 mills. The legislature chosen at this election assembled on May 12, and Gov. McEnery was inaugurated near the beginning of the session. On May 20 James B. Eustis was elected U. S. senator. By the adoption of the constitutional amendment above mentioned the state debt became permanently fixed, the brokerage in warrants was reduced to a minimum, and the uncertainty of pre- vious years was eliminated from the financial situation. On the subject of education the governor said: "At no period in the history of the state has there been such outspoken sentiment in favor of the education of the people, the introduction of improved methods in teaching, the employment of educated and trained teachers, and the extension of the means for elementary education. The people of this state are prepared to approve any legislation that will secure an effective system of free elementary instruction.
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I advise an entire change in the common school system, and recommend that school precincts be presided over by local boards or commissioners, and that the organic law be so changed as to permit each school precinct to tax itself for school purposes."
At the presidential election in November the Democratic electors received 62,540 votes, and the Republican electors 46,347. Five Democratic Congressmen were elected, the Republican candidate in the 2nd district being victorious. The Republican gain in this election was largely due to the tariff question, many of the rice and sugar planters favoring the protective policy as relating to those industries. On Dec. 16, 1884, the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial exposition was opened in New Orleans (See Expositions), and this year the name of the University of Louisiana was changed to Tulane university.
On Aug. 19, 1885, the first Prohibition state convention ever held in Louisiana assembled at Shreveport. A state executive com- mittee was organized, consisting of one member from each Con- gressional district and three from the state at large, and directed to petition the legislature to amend the local option act so as to require the police jury of any parish to submit the question of licensing saloons to the voters, whenever requested to do so by a petition of citizens. The following resolution was adopted by the convention: "That this movement is non-partisan and non- sectarian in charcater, and seeks only to enlist the active coopera- tion of all patriotic and law abiding citizens, without regard to race or party, hoping thereby to secure the hearty support of all temperance, benevolent and church organizations in the suppres- sion of the liquor traffic."
On May 10, 1886, the general assembly met in regular session and continued for 60 days. A law was passed requiring all places of business, except certain specified occupations, to close on Sun- day. The law was very unpopular, especially in New Orleans, and several attempts were made to secure its repeal, but without effect. Another act authorized the governor to appoint police juries throughout the state: relief was granted to Confederate soldiers, wounded or disabled in the service, and to the widows of Con- federate soldiers, in indigent circumstances ; and the board of liqui- dation was authorized to contract with any bank or banks for the payment of the interest on the state bonds and the warrants drawn against the general fund or the expenses of the legislature. The New Orleans Picayune, speaking of the work of this legislature. .said: "It is not to be forgotten that these alleged law-makers turned a deaf ear to appeals from the people who asked for legis- lation for the purification of the jury-box, for the protection of the ballot-box, for the vindication of the laws upon criminals, and for the securing of honest elections. It is not to be forgotten that the petitions of citizens for the institution of wholesome reforms were treated with contempt and contumely in the halls of the state capitol, and the prayers of the petitioners were disregarded and their motives maligned and misrepresented."
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Reports from the various penal and charitable institutions for the year showed them to be in good working condition, a number of improvements having been made in recent years to place them on a better basis. The governor called attention to the question of railroad rates, saying: "There is no disposition on the part of the people or their representatives to antagonize these interests or to oppress them with unnecessary laws; but railway companies, like all other corporations and private proprietors, become selfish, look to their own interests and ignore the rights of others. From nearly every section of the state there are complaints against the discrimination these roads make in passenger and freight traffic."
The principal event of the year 1887 was the political cam- paign for the gubernatorial nomination between Gov. McEnery and ex-Gov. Nicholls. The contest began in August and continued without cessation until the Democratic state convention met at Baton Rouge on Jan. 10, 1888. Nicholls received the nomination for governor, and the ticket was completed by the nomination of James Jeffries for lieutenant-governor ; L. F. Mason, secretary of state ; O. B. Steele, auditor ; W. H. Pipes, treasurer ; W. H. Rogers, attorney-general; Joseph A. Breaux, superintendent of education. The platform favored a levee system "to the fullest extent con- sistent with the finances of the state," and opposed the employment of convicts in such a manner as to bring them in competition with free labor.
The Republican state convention met at New Orleans. Ex-Gov. Henry C. Warmoth was again nominated for that office; Andrew Hero for lieutenant-governor ; Jolin F. Patty for secretary of state; James Forsythe for auditor; . B. F. Flanders for treasurer; Robert Ray for attorney-general; no nomination was made for superin- tendent of education. The platform condemned the free-trade ten- dencies of President Cleveland's administration, approved the ap- propriation of $15.000 per annum, made by Congress for agricul- tural stations in the various states, and recommended an addi- tional appropriation by the state legislature to carry the law into effect in Louisiana : invited immigration, and opposed the employ- ment of convicts outside of public works.
The Democratic candidates for state offices were elected on April 18 by about 85,000 majority ; the legislature contained 38 Demo- crats and 2 Republicans in the senate, and 86 Democrats and 12 Republicans in the house. Gov. Nicholls was inaugurated on May 21, when Gov. McEnery's administration terminated.
McGillivray, Alexander .- In 1735 a Scotchman named Lachlan McGillivray came to this country and engaged in business in the Indian trade. He wooed and won a Creek maiden, named Sehoy, and Alexander, born in 1740, was a son of this marriage. In boy- hood he was sent by his father to New York, where he received a good education, and at the age of 17 years he returned to Georgia to become a clerk in the counting house of Samuel Elbert at Savannah. At the beginning of the Revolutionary war he was influenced to take sides with the British, and during hostilities
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he was frequently associated with the notorious Daniel McGirth. After the war he lived among the Creeks, over whom he acquired considerable influence. Upon the death of his mother he succeeded to the chieftainship of the tribe, but declined to accept it until called to do so by a formal council, when he took the title of "Emperor of the Creeks." Early in 1874 he negotiated a treaty of alliance with the Spaniards in Florida and Louisiana, and at the Indian congress of May 30, 1874. he was made commissary-general of all the Creeks, with a salary of not less than $50 a month and a share of the profits resulting from the Pensacola trade. McGil- livray became interested in the scheme to bring about the seces- sion of Kentucky and Tennessee. Under date of April 25, 1788, he wrote to Gov. Miro, of Louisiana, as follows: "Two delegates from the district of Cumberland have arrived with proposals of peace to this nation. They represented to me that they were reduced to extremities by the incursions of our warriors, and that, to obtain peace and our friendship, they were disposed to submit to whatever conditions we might choose to impose; and, presuming it would have a powerful influence with me and would secure my favor, they added that they would throw themselves into the arms of his Majesty as subjects, and that Cumberland and Ken- tucky are determined to free themselves from their dependence on Congress, because that body cannot protect either their persons or property, or favor their commerce, and they therefore believe that they owe no obedience to a power which is incapable of ben- efiting them."
Gov. Miro "abstained from returning any precise answer" to this letter, and so notified the Spanish government on June 15, when he asked for instructions in case the delegates from the Cumberland district called on him with a view to becoming Span- ish subjects. In 1791 President Washington invited McGillivray to New York, and while there negotiated a treaty with Washington and Henry Knox. When the invitation came he used it to increase his importance with the Spanish authorities and demanded a salary of $15,000 a year to carry on hostilities against the South Carolina company, if not against the United States. His demand was not granted, but he was given $2,000. The treaty made with Washing- .ton and Knox was not ratified by Congress, because McGillivray had ceded more territory than he was authorized to by his tribe. From that time his power with the Indians and his influence with the Spanish officials began to wane. McGillivray has been de- scribed as 6 feet tall, erect, with dark, piercing eyes, a mixture of Scotch shrewdness, French love of display and Indian secretive- ness. He served the British, Spaniards or Americans, as best suited his own interests, and has been called by Pickett "The Tal- leyrand of Alabama." He lived in a handsome house, not far from the site of the present town of Wetumpka, Ala., where he owned a plantation and a number of negro slaves. He died on Feb. 17, 1793.
Mckenzie, a post-village of Catahoula parish, is located on the
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Black river, 8 miles south of the village of Black River, the nearest railroad station, and about 20 miles south of Harrisburg, the parish seat.
McKinley, a post-hamlet in the central part of East Feliciana parish, is about 3 miles southeast of Clinton, the parish seat.
McKinley, William .- At a meeting of the Louisiana Historical Society on April 10, 1901, President Alcee Fortier announced that William Mckinley, president of the United States, would visit New Orleans about April 30-the 98th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of Paris-and suggested that, as this was the first time a president in office had ever visited the State of Louisiana, the society should make suitable provisions to receive Mr. Mc- Kinley with appropriate ceremonies at the cabildo. A committee on program was appointed, consisting of James S. Zacharie, chair- man, Misses Grace King and Amelie M. Denegre, John R. Ficklen, Thomas McC. Hyman, Charles T. Soniat Du Fossat, Thomas P. Thompson and Dr. Louis G. LeBeuf. The president's arrival was delayed, so that the reception was not held at the cabildo until May 2. Invitations to the number of 700 were sent out and when the president arrived about noon, May 2, he was escorted to the cabildo by Mayor Paul Capdevielle, a committee of citizens, and the 1st troop of cavalry of the Louisiana National Guard. At the cabildo the president was received by Gov. W. W. Heard and his staff ; the reception was then held in the supreme court room, where a formal address of welcome was made by President Fortier, of the historical society, and Mr. Mckinley replied in a short but appropriate speech, acknowledging the courtesies shown him by the people of New Orleans. Jackson Square in front of the cabildo was thronged with people, and when President MeKinley appeared on the balcony, with Gov. Heard on his right and Mayor Capde- vielle on his left, cheer upon cheer rent the air. After the applause had subsided, the president spoke briefly as follows: "I have great honor in standing on this historic ground to receive the greetings of my countrymen, and to recall the fact that here, nearly a hundred years ago, the great transaction took place that dedicated a larger area than the original thirteen states to liberty and union forever." The flag was then hoisted in Jackson Square, on the exact spot where the Stars and Stripes were first unfurled in Louisiana 98 years before, the flag being saluted by the ringing of the cathedral bells and a national salute fired by the Washing- ton Artillery on the levee. A memorial page in the records of the supreme court was set apart for a brief account of the event, and this page was signed by the president, the governor, the mayor, the justices of the supreme court, the bishop of New Orleans, and others.
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