Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-11-22
Matters in AvoyeIles.
AvoYELLEs, La, Nov. J, 1873.
To the Editor Ne,c Orleans Times:

AvoYELLEs, La, Nov. J, 1873.
To the Editor Ner Orleans Times:
A matter of some Importance to the pub
lie came to my attention few days since,
which, with Your assistance, / viii give to
your numerous readers. Official matters
have been conducted in this parish about
as they have in Others since the adoption
of the constitution of 1865, some of the off
GERS demeaning themselves 80 as to create
the impression that their offices conferred
legion of rights and privileges, without
imposing a solitary duty. Judge Hewes
opened the October term of the District
| Court at Marksville some time during the
last month and placed well-known
sqadre man at the head of the Grand Jury
as it's foreman. He was never troubled
with the Office mania. and had no axe to
grind in the fnrtherance Of political
schemes. His Honor gave the usual charge,
TO the jury and they set about hunting up
criminals and looking after the pnblic in
ferest. The sequel will show with what
| unprecedented success. / have examined
the written port Of their proceedings,
| signed by the foreman and thirteen Others
| of the jury, and found it, in one material
respect, the very best thing of the kind /
have seen. An excellent precedent. They
report the parish prison as needing certain
repairs, which it is undergoing under
contract for that purpose, by the Police Ju-
ry, at a price which they consider reasona-
BILE and fair. A rare thing in contract
for public work. The prisoners We're well
cared for in every respect by the Sheriff,
| Ga black mani who seems ambitious of per-
| forming his duty faithfully. (He was APP
pointed by Governor Kellogg.) Iint whilst
lot
of the Sheriff, they suggest that he should
lot retin deputies ia his service, although
! responsible for their official acts, who get
drunk, neglect their dnties, give offence TO
Others. provoke qnarrels, disturb the peace,
and thus trample on the very laws it is
| their sworn duty to assist in enforcing.
| They add: "Such men should be dismiss
ed from Office"
They then speak of the Police Jury, all
! of whom are appointed, and call n tention
to an appropriation of tueire hundred dol
lars made by them to build dirt dam
across Normdnd's Bayou. They say, "We
do not believe the benefits likely to accrue
! from such wo'k will prove If such a pnb-
Tic character as TO warrant the imposition
of an additional tax upon a people already
so heavily bnrdened that they end it inn
possible to save their property from expo
| DDouic W Nv iUt TAX we
therefore suggest that the action of the
Police Jury in the premises should be re-
considered and repealed, and the work
postponed to more auspicio,is moment.
| They speak we'll of the Parish Attorney,
Clerk of the Cour. and the Parish RecOr-
der, saying that their offices are in good
order, and that the incumbents are eff
cienf, faithful men.
They then speak of the parish judgeship.
reporting that the last fall term held by
his Honor, the Judge, was held in Decem-
Der, A. d. 81. That they have examined
the Journal of his court and found that, on
the Sd day of June A. d 1872, he opened
court and transacted business to the 5th,
! inclusive, during which time twenty-one
DEGREES were signed. nearly one-half being
| recuse cases, the balance confessions and
interlocutory orders. That in the month
| of September l572, he held court three
days, an again rendered twenty-one de-
crees. There were no litigated cases among
them. Thus they found that his Honor
had, at an expense to the people of nearly
i've thousand dollars, held his court six
days in period of TWENTY-FIVE months, the
law requiring him to hold it every month.
They reported heavy docket, and they
say that, to the masses, the Parish Court is
of more Importance than any other, be-
cause il Is the poor mans court. That this
prolonged silence has operated very Sc
rious deprivation of rhe rights Of humble
,itigants. That il is wrong hat the peo-
pie should be taxed to pay the salaries of
officers for services which they do not rem
der. That his duties have been palpably
neglected since December, 1872; aud they
respectfully request that attention be di-
rected to the necessary reform.
! think this report is a step taken in the
right direction, because il will serve to
teach public officers that there is power
remaining to the people to supervise their
conduct, aud to expose their willful neg
lect of duty. You will observe that the
Sheriff, a black man, and an oppointee, is
freely commended for the faithful discharge
of his duty. The police juror all appoiil-
tees and nearly all colored. are not censur-
ed for an untimely act, whilst they are APP
planded for proper appropriation. That
the parish Attorney, Republican, the
Clerk and parish Recorder, both likewise
Republicans, are also highly commended
Tor efficiency in Office. There is nothing
of political character in all this. Is it
not as it should be If every Grand Jury
in the State will follow this example,
mnch good will result from it. Let UNI
faithful public officers. of all colors and
parties be held up and fearfully exposed,
and letgood ones be endorsed.
Yours, DRY FACTS.