The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-14
THE EAST FELICIANA AFFAIR.
The Cause of the Trouble.
A Parody on Justice.

A Parody on Justice.
It will be remembered that few days ago
a startling dispatch was received here by the
Governor from Sheriff Smith, of the parish
of East Feliciana, setting forth that life and
property were not secure there. The Gov
ernor responded, informing him that posse
comitatus might be summoned. It now turns
out that the whole affair was nothing like
riot, but simply private quarrel
The following, from well known gentle
man of this city, throws clear light upon
the whole trouble:
CLINTON, La, July II, 1875.
Editor New Orleans Bulletin:
Sr-From q recent New Orleans paper re-
ceived here, it appears that Fl. Smith, the
colored Sheriff of East Feliciana, dispatched
Kellogg for aid to prevent seeming inevita-
BILE conflict between the races. Having re-
Gently arrived from New Orleans in this law
abiding community, and being an eyewitness
to the circumstance and apparent cause that
gave rise to this slanderous proceeding, owe
it to the good people Of the parish to say that
the statement of the Sheriff was wholly un-
warranted; that no resistance was offered his
legal authority, and that no attempt was made
to executes process of law which met oppo-
sition.
Kellogg's reply is calculated to create the
impression that East Feliciana is inhabited
by turbulent, lawless people. Such is not
the case.
legal talent to be found in the State, she has
kho h0nnp IN I'D
negro, unable to sign his name or read war
rant, as her sheriff. Not satisfied with the
innumerable insults offered an intelligent and
digniied people by the placing in power men
wholly incompetent to fill place of trust,
Kellogg, to, add poignancy to theAsting, has
recently appointed one Adam Senseless
negro, justice of the peace for the town of
Clinton.
It was before him that Mr.. s., an in
telligent, peaceable citizen, was summoned
last Monday, on a charge made by a negro
who had been driven from his place for bad
conduct. Mr.. s. felt that he had not
violated any law and disliked to be subjected
to the great annoyance and expense of attend
ing court. Meeting the negro at the court
house before the trial he proceeded to ad.
minister q severe castigation with his naked
hands, during which performance an attempt
was made by deputy sheriff to prevent the
fight and was frustrated by some personal
friends of Mr.. s., Now this whole
affair grew out of a difficulty between two men
and had no connection with politics, hence
the great injustice done the parish.
This ignorant Justice presumes that he is
monarch of all he surveys. He recently is
sued a warrant for the arrest of party living
in another ward, and forced his appearance
before his august presence.
His court of justice is open to all COM
plants when the defendant is able to pay
charges.
The warrants of A. V. D. Covert, who has
been recognized by the parish judge as mayor
and x-oficio justice, are totally disregarded by
the sheriff The subsequent dispatch of Smith
that order was restored is an insult added to
injury. The mayor of the town is the NUM-
cipal peace officer, and he has never expert
enced any trouble to keep matters quiet.
We publish in addition, the following from
the Clinton Patriot Democrat of the 10th
inst:
What the Negro is Doing.
For some time past every negro in the par
ish, who felt himself at all aggrieved, or de-
sired to assist in filling the pockets of Sense
less or Ray. two negroes who claim to be
Justices of the Peace, would come to town
and make out an affidavit against q white
man, swearing their life was in danger. This
our people stood about as long as they could,
and until patience ceased to be virtue.
On Tuesday Mr.. Reason Brown was ar
rested and taken before the grinning ''Justis,
upon the most frivolous charge imaginable.
1t seems, however, according to the negroes
testimony, that Tony Clark, who drew up the
document for Ssnseless, who can neither
read nor write, put more in the affidavit than
he was aware of, although he swore to and
made his cross to the document. For the
offciousness of Tony, Mr.. Brown ''sailed
into him.
On Wednesday, DR.. Fred. Wood was arrest
ed and made to appear before Senseless. Mr..
Wood, however, was fortunately discharged
upon the frivolous charge. The sams even
ing Alex. Western appeared before the same
ignoramus, and made complaint against Mr..
John H. Stone, for simply doing nothing.
Mr. Stone disliked the necessity which COM
PEELED the black rascal to swear falsely, and
he accordingly took Western to account
The same night another negro used some
insolent language to DR.. Saunders, and was
also called to an explanation. The fact is, the
white people of this section have stood the
rascality of the negro about long enough.
The colored man who does not seek to modest
Or ipjure the white man will be respected
and protected, and those who seek to harrass
md annoy will be held strictly to an account.
A CONVICT.
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