The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-21
Republican Rule i'm POinte
Coupee.
Auditor J. f. Breaux Indicted
Accused of Malfeasance and
Corruption.
The Police jury Guilty OF
EXtOrtiOn.


Mr. J. f. Breaux occupies prominent po-
sition in the parish Of Pointe Coupee. He is
sheriff, auditor, member of the police jury
and school board. In these various capacities
he has been carrying on the affairs Of the par
ish with high hand and has not hesitated to
feather his nest at the expense Of the taxpay-
ers Of the parish.
So fragrant and outrageous has been his
conduct that number Of the respectable citi-
zens, finding that the parish authorities, who
are more or less under his influence, would
take no steps towards bringing him to pun
shment, appealed to Attorney General Field
to interfere in the name Of honesty and de-
cency This efficient officer immediatelyin-
structed the District Attorney Of Pointe
Coupee to proceed legally against MIR. Breaux,
and have him and other parties against whom
charges had been preferred, indicted before
the Grand Jury.
In accordance with these instructions, J. E.
Breaux and the Police Jury were arraigned,
and, after an examination, the Grand Jury
made the following report
We have considered the charges brought
against John E. Breaux, Auditor, al we are
Of opinion that said Auditor is not criminal,
Int has been negligent of his duty, and uan.ind-
til Of his trust, and ce,sMMble, in this :
That he has is ued one certificate for one
hundred and nineteen dollars to one Freeman,
and received prescribed and illegal military
script as a voucher therefor
In this, further That he has issued one
certificate of indebtedness Of the parish OF
Pointe Coupee Of the amount Of two hundred
dollars, and received as a voucher parish
script in favor of Valery Ledoux, already paid
and receipted for.
In this, further That he has received as
vouchers sheriff's accounts for maintenance OF
prisoners and Police Jurors accounts, not
properly approved.
We have considered the charges brought
against the members of the Police Jury, and
we find that said members of the Police Jury
have received more than the compensation
allowed by law, as shown by the minutes OF
the Police Jury.
(Signed) J. KNOX PICKETT,
Foreman of the Grand Jury.
A true copy. JNo. BoUDREAU,
Deputy Clerk.
1t was proved that Breaux, the Auditor, had
issued certificate for $119, for an old Con-
fede1ate military script, which he knew was
both prescribed and unconstitutional. 1t was
also proved that he had issued certificate for
$500, and took as voucher parish certificate
that had been once before paid and Cancelled
That as Auditor he paid himself rs Sheriff.
bills that had not been approved as required
by law.
In the face Of these facts the Grand Jury
ARE Of opinion that he (Breaux) is not crimi
nal" Just such official conduct as this sent
Boss Tweed to the Penitentiary for twelve
years. One year for each offense. Now if
law and justice be the same in Louisiana as it
is in New York, Breaux should be sent to the
Penitentiary for three years.
Regarding the Police Jury, the Grand Jury
report that they have received more than
the compensation allowed by law" This is
a polite way Of saying that they have been
than thieves.
1t may be asked now, how, if these parties
whose guilt has been SO conclusively estab-
lished, they are permitted to go unpublished.
The solution of the question is simple.
The Judge Thos Hews permitted Mr..
Breaux to draw the Grand jury before which
he was to appear, end the police jury, being
appointed by Kellogg, feel that they are at
liberty to do as they please with IMMUNITY.
The District Attorney also being an appointee
Of Kellogg is more or less restrained from ex-
posing the villainies Of Republican officials,
lest it might bring the party into disrepute.
Hence the whitewashing report of the Grand
Jury.
The de fucto Governor is here offered
another opportunity to fulfill his promise to
the Levee Convention, to remove from Office
corrupt officials when he is satisfied of their
guilt The official report Of the Grand jury
has been sent to him, and we await his action
upon it. The taxpayers Of Pointe Coupee
desire to be relieved from SO corrupt and ig
norant police jury and such parish officials
as j. E. Breaux.