New-York tribune., 1874-10-28
THE LOUISIANA TROUBLES.
THE TRIAL OF THE SHREVEPORT PRISON
ERS POSTPONED.

THE TRIAL OF THE SHREVEPORT PRISON
ERS POSTPONED.
MAJOR MERRILL THINKS THE CASE SHOULD NOT BE
TRIED UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION, BECAUSE OF
THE IMPRESSION THAT THE ARRESTS WERE FOR
POLITICAL PURPOsEs-Hs MOTIVES QUESTIONED
ARREST OF COMMISSIONER JEwETT ON A
CHARGE OF FORGERY AND EMBEzzLEMENT
New ORLEANS, Oct. 27.-The following telegram
has been received from the special correspondent OF
THE TRIBUNE at Shreveport:
SHREVEPORT, Oct. 27-To-day Commissioner
Levissee opened his Court to give bearing to the
five gentlemen of this city arrested, the affidavit
of United States Army officer, the charge of in
tmidating voters. The gentlemen were present,
with the Bar of the city to defend them. After
opening court the Commissioner read letter from
Major Merrill suggesting that, much excitement in
relation to the nrevailed from widespread
impression that the arrests had been made for pO-
cal purposes the trial be postponed until after the
election. The Commissioner approved this sugges-
top and the counsel for the Defense after consula
ton, agreed to the postponement. Although this
arrangement was relief to the feelings OF the
prisoners who were naturally uneasy, tue
general belief IS that Major Merrill was
not prompted by any sentiment OF magnanimlty
in the premises but that he had gone further than
met the views of his super0rs at Washington, ana
made yirture of necessity. The people have shown
a splendid spirit throughout. They have contem-
plated no resistance to the Federal authority, but
were and are determined to test the constitutional
iy of this law before the Supreme Court OF the United
States Major Merrill stated in conversation that II
after the election person were 10 refuse W
employ man because he had voted any particular
ticket no penalty would attach to him. which ehows
that in his opinion. at least the law was made not
nrotect the rights of the laborer but to secure his
services.
Advioes received from HOrner tonight by The
Sbrereport Times say that additional arrests are
reported Troops are in various parts of the parish
w H. Maxey a Republican, says that warrants are
ont for over 200 citizens. Not single threatened
individual has left will leave that parish. lhere
is general shifting of the responsibility OF these
arrests between the Kellogg officials. Rumors OF
arrests are frequent from neighboring parishes.
Everything is quiet in Shreveport now, though no
one believes peace will continue long. MAJOR Mer-
rill is regarded with hatred and contempt by the
people for lending himself to the Kellogg party.
The Times this morning contained most scathlng
denunciation of him aud OF his course IN Missonri
in South Carolina, and here. United States Com
missioner Jewett from Lincoln Parish, is charged
by Major Robins, who served with the Fed
eral Army during the war, with the crime
Of forgery and embezzlement. in that be
forged letters from distinguished gentlemen in
Massachusetts, bywhich he secured an agency for
an insurance company in North Louisiana, in which
capacity he embezzled about $1,000 from the com
pany Major Robbins had him arrested aud he gave
bonds for his appearance before the District Court
of this parish. He, to-day, stands indicted for en-
bezzlement, and upon this charge three or four OF
the most respectable citizens of Lincoln Parish are
arrested ironed and thrown into common lall.