The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-20
THE EAST FELICIANA MATTER
A Committee of Citizens.
Reply of Judge Dewing.

lsupSlueo, nau not uieu out, ana yesterday II
broke out ag lin.
1t was known that several of the prominent
citizens of the parish had arrived in tbs city,
and that they would call on the Governor,
and the object of the call Was generally dis
cussed. The report that was prevalent some
days ago, that Babe Mathews, the woman
who was hung, had been compelled to sign a
a confession in blank was again circulated, as
were other rumors equally we'll founded.
At about 1890 o'clock the delegation ct
citizens of the parish arrived at the State
House, and were ushered into the Executive
Office The doors were closed, and considera-
BILE of talk, and very private talk, was had,
Packard, Beckwith and Campbell being
present.
The committee was composed as follows:
Hon. W. H. Pipes, John S. Lannier, Esq, J..
Fl. Stone, Esq, and Col. T. J. Fuqua; the
latter named gentleman accompanying the
delegation by request.
The committee represented that they had
been appointed at meeting of citizens, over
which Capt. J. A. Norwood presided, and at
which K. A. Cross, Esq, acted as Secretary.
The committee submitted the following
account of the action of the meeting:
On motion of J. G. Kilbourn, K A. Cross
and J. II. Stone were appointed q committee
to draft resolutions embodying the action of
the meeting, who reported as follows:
| Whereas, goaded by repeated and outra-
geous acts of administration corruption
and perversion of the public justice, some of
our people have been driven to the assertion
of their rights by force; and,
| Whereas, we recognize the necessity of law
and order for the protection of our own and
the public interests, and sincerely desire
| their preservation; and
Whereas, we believe past disorders have
| resulted in great measure from the incom-
potency of incompetent ffi,ials, be it
Resolved, That there is now no obstacle to
the peaceful processes of the courts IN our
parish, and that we will protect and defend
the administration of the law.
2. That it is specially necessary that CON-
petent sheriff be appointed, and if such an
officer is appointed, we hereby pledge the
active cooperation of every citizen in en-
forcing the process of the courts
3. That the President of this meeting ap-
point three discreet citizens to proceed to
New Orleans to represent our interests in all
negotiations to that end.
The foregoing is true copy of the resolu-
tions adopted at public meeting in Clinton,
LII, on the 10Th day of October, 1875.
j. A. NORWOOD, President.
X. A. Cross, Secretary.
The committee also presented the following,
signed by large number of the citizens of
the parish
We, the undersigned citizens representing
the people of East Feliciana and acting for
them in negotiations with the State authori-
ties, looking 10 quieting of the excitement
in our PARISH, pledge and guarantee the State
authorities the support OF all the best people
of our parish in protecting the life and
property of all classes of society, white or
black, asking only that competent sheriff
be appointed in our parish, who we shall
suggest.
We are justified in asking the removal of
the incumbent Sheriff by the fact of his being
utterly unqualified, being unable to read or
write.
They submitted the names of four gentle
men, whose appointment as Sheriff would be
acceptable to the people Of all parties.
The Acting Governor and his Cabinet took
the whole matter under advisement.
Acting Governor Antoine said that he did
not know what action he would take; that he
could not appoint another Sheriff until Smith |
resigned, and that the resignation of Smith |
would have to be coaxed out of him.
Gen. H. ]. Campbell will leave for the pa
rish to- day or to- morrow.
The committee assert that the report that |
Babe Mathews was compelled to sign con-
fession in blank is falls
They state that Immediately after the poi |
soning of DIR. Sanders she was arrested and |
taken before the Parish Judge, and voluntari-
ly made a confession which implicated John |
Gair, John George and Robt. Ray, and that I
on her satemens warrants for the arrest of |
the thres parties named were issued.
She was never confined in the parish Jail,
bnt was kept under guard in the Sherlf's |
offic and from this Office she was taken and
hung
The committee Inexperienced its duty, and
a majority of the members will return to the
parish to-day or tomorrow.
Judge Dewing has written the following
reply to the request of the acting Governor,
for an
EXTRA SESSION OF THE COURT.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 20, 1875.
Hon G. c. Antoine, Lieutenant and Acting Governor
of Louisi ,na:
SRI am in receipt Of your favor of the
18th inst, containing a suggestion as to the
of holding a special term of the
Fifth Judicial District Court, in and for the
parish of East Feliciana. l will Immediately
confer with the District Attorney, A. E. Read.
Esq, and the members of the bar of the
PARISH of E lst Baton Rouge, where a regular
ERIN is fixed for the first Monday of Novem-
Der, when I shall be able to determine
whether the purposes of public justice will be
pest subserved by holding short Irregular term
n Baton Rouge, that special term may be
leld in East Feliciana. Should / receive as
urance that the law abiding citizens of the
parish will give their active support to the
,-ate officers in the enforcement of the laws !.
q condition of afflirs certainly to be desired),
will convey to you my determination in the
PREMISES as soon as reached.
l have the honor to be, very respectfully,
E f. DEwING
Judge Fifth Judicial District of Louisiana.
The Atlanta Herald says: We ag lin reiter-
te that it was bunder to elevate the finan-