New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-10-05
ORLEANS EVENING OCTOBER s. 1858

fermlllon, states that no impeachment IS
thrown in his way to carry out the func-
tions of the lawin all its details, nor does he
know or has he heard of any violence COM
mitted at the polls at the election or during
any period since.
Your committee appends the testimony of
sixteen inhabitants Of the parish, seven of
whom are colored men, well known, and
some holding official positions, and we sug.
gest the careful examination of their state
ments.
Your committee is Of the opinion that the
contestant, Mr.. Casey, could easily have
taken evidence, had he 60 desired, as there
was nothing to prevent him SO doing, ex
cept that the evidence so taken would have
been detrimental to him. bg
We would call the attention Of the House
to the testimony Of Mr.. Rice, agent of the
Freedmen's Bureau of the parish, who acted
as judge of the election.
In closing our report, we beg to feiterate
what we stated that we found the parish of
Lafayette, a law abiding section of the cOun.
try, order reigning, and utmost peace exist
ing therein.
We beg to return our thanks for the many
courtes IS extended to us BY the Superinten-
dent, Mr. G: W.. R. Bayley, and the Con-
ductor, Mr.. II. P. Bayley, of the New Or
Road. Respectfully submitted,
WILLIS PRESCOTT,
Chairman of Committee:
P. JONES YORKE,
j. H. DEGRANGE.
To the Hoporable Speaker and Members OF the
House of Representatives
GENTLEMEN-Having been appointed a
member of the committee to proceed to the
parish of Lafayette to inquire into the facts
In relation to the contested election case
of Lafayette parish, beg leave to report as
follows: tif
That notwithstanding the apparent peace
and quiet said to exist in the parish of La
fayette, and Notwithstanding the apparently
calm and unruffied surface of political
affairs, am clearly convinced that the loyal
people of that parish are afraid to express
their real sentiments; and know from per-
sonal observation that the majority of col
ored men who testified before your commit
tee we're deferred from personal fear from
telling the whole truth.
Mr.. Judice had every facility for procur-
ing witnesses, while the majority of witnes
ses whom Mr.. Casey wished TO summon
resided in the country, and it is doubtful il
they could have been prevailed upon to tes-
tify under the circumstances.
The colored man at whose house Mr..
Casey boarded, informed me that FIVE of his
COWS were killed, and his two horses were
| stolen, because, as he Justly believes, ht
boards Mr., Casey and Mr.. Williams, the
teacher of the colored school in Nermllion
| vile.
The colored man above referred to, and
also his wife, Informed me that they live il
daily expectation ofthe burning fthe schoo
house, as they were warned that such would
be the case. They are afraid to take any
| steps leading to the recovery of their stoleI
property, as they believe their house woult
| be burned down over their heads.
conversed with more than fifty coloret
men in Vermilionville and they assured me
they were satisfied that if Mr.. Casey had re
mained there much longer he would have
been roughly treated, if not killed.
Mr.. Williams. the school teacher, says hi
| is satisfied that if the colored people shoult
testify in Mr.. Casey's behalf, they would b
| driven from their homes on the plantations
if not actually killed. 1 conversed with tn
colored man who was present when Mr.
Casey was assaulted by white men on tn
highway, and he did not feel at liberty t
testify to the facts.
However much l may regret that can
not coincide with the majority OF the CON
mittee in their report, am satisfied tina
the charges brought by Mr.. Casey, the con
testant are fully sustained.
Respectfully submitted.
.1 HARRY LOTT.
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
| New Orleans, State of Louisiana, Sept. 2l, 1868.
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members OF tn
| House Of Representatives;
GENTLEMEN--As a member of the commit
tee sent by your honorable body to investl
gate certain acts of violence in the parisl
of Lafayette, have the honor to submit tn
following report:
Witnesses, both white and colored, wer
examined by your committee in relation t.
the peace of the parish, and the reporte,
acts of violence upon one Michael Casey.
The testimony of the white men as will
be seen by the aflidavits is favorable Il
peace and good order in the parish ant
shows non-interfe-ence with the sait
Michael Casey; but from observation and
knowledge of the class of people who con
stitute majority of the people of tina
parish and who are firm friends and sup
porters of the ]. N. Judice, who claim
seat in your honorable body, am con
vincea that it was the intention of thes
people to have as good report as possibl
from our committee, and with that ide
their statements were as favorable to secur
that object as their conscience woul
permit. HH' rs@
The afidavits of the colored men as the
will show are almost repetition of thos
made by the white men, but it is my fri
belief that those men did not testify as the
would desire tor fear OF violence after you
committee left.
One colored man, before he was sworr
stated to me that If he was sworn he woul
not dare to tell the truth for fear of his lii
being taken. He was afterward sworI
and his statements were contrary to tn
statements he made to me previously.
l am firmly OF the opinion that any per
son who advocates The principles of tn
Republican party openly and boldly woul
be i'll danger of violence from the opposit
party. do not believe there was any daI
ger Of Mr.. Casey losing his life, but / b.
lieve he would have met with violent o.
position had he endeavored to secuI
evidence in his behalf in the election cas-
between Mr.. Judice aud himself.
From private information of creditabl
nature l am convinced that threats wer
made against Mr.. Casey on account of hi
being obnoxious to those people rs a poit
clan, and there is no doubt that had he II
mained in the parish he would have me
with violence.
think that any person could live in tina
parish in perfect peace, provided he KEEP
aloof from politics, but If he esponsed tn
principles OF the Republican party he woul
meet with that vile slander and abuse tha
is hurled upon the Republican part
throughout the State, and would no dout
meet with violence from the disloyS
element of that parish.
On motion of Mr.. Curell, of Orleans, tn
above reports were:referredto to the Commi
tee on Elections and Qualifications.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE.
The Secretary of the Senate was an
nounced, asking concurrence in the follow
ing Senate bills: .fe
Senate bills Nos. 27, 260, 257, 24s, 2s2, 23l
227 and 2ll, ra ..1srI
Also, informing the House that the Sen
ate had conourred in House bill No. l24 wit
amendments, and refused to concur in th
amendment of the House.to Senate bills No