New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-09
TAX COLLECTOR PUCkErTk.
Address to the People Of Natchitoche

Some days since the REPUBLICAN con
tained an account of the indignities prac
ticed upon Mr.. Puckette, the newly ap
pointed tax collector of the parish Of
Natchitoches. This gentleman since pub.
lished the following address:
To the People of Natchitoches Parish:
Having lately been pursued by vindic
tive and malicious persecution on the part
OF certain interested persons in the town OF
Natchltoches, desire to make tho following
statement to the people of this parish, and
ask an impartial decision:
About the middle Of January last called
on Governor kellogg at his residence to
In regard to our parish affairs, including the
commissioning Of Messrs. Jack and Gun.
ningham as preliminary to peace and order
in the parish, and that the other offices
should be filled with good and competent
men, without regard to parties. The result
was somewhat hopeful, though nothing was
accomplished. During this interview Gov.
ernor kellogg offered. without my solioita
ton, to appoint me tax collector Ideclined
the office. unless he made the parish CON-
promise in advance. Shortly after l met
Governor Kellogg again and renewed my
efforts for parish compromise. The result
was about the same and the matter taken
under consideration. He again offered me
the tax collectorship. which respectfully
but pOlntedly declined, unless under a COM
promise. After this l Immediately con-
suited with several gentlemen from this
parish (then in New Orleans) in regard to
the acceptability of such compromise.
Some of them declared that it would not be
accepted, others said that must take the
whole responsibility. then suspended all
further efforts in that direction.
In the meantime Governor Wells returned
to the city. spoke to him about promul-
eating the returns of the election of Messrs.
Jack and Cunningham. At our second in
terview he informed me that those returns
"wOuld not be promulgated and that
was "author!zed SO to state to the parties
interested After which, and hearing that
Governor Kellogg had said had ''asked
too much" l was forced to abandon the
idea of having those gentlemen commits
stoned, as the case appeared entirely hope
less.
Soon after, and tie day before was to
have left for homo, the Wheeler compromise
was submitted to the Democratic caucus.
remained to see the result, determined to
accept the cOllectOrship if the compromise
was adopted, but not otherwise.
During all this interval, though had met
Governor Kellogg frequently, had not said
a word to him about my appointment.
though it was understood that he adhered
to his original intention OF giving it to me,
and was willing to accept it as soon as The
State compromise was assured.
Five days after the adjournment Cover.
nor Kellogg requested me to come to bis
office. l did so. He retired to his private
office, and within an hour sent me nv COM
mission. went to him, thanked him for
the appointment, left his Office immediately
and returned home that evening
This is succint history Of the matters
referred to, and give just impression as to
ny efforts in behalf OF peace and order in
his parish, and truthful statement of the
connected with my appoint.
nent. And now pass to another feature
If my subject.
When l arrived here, my appointment
eemed to give almost universal satisfac.
ION. Certainly there was no open opposi-
ion. l secured Cn my bond the names of
hree gentlemen for $4,000 each, and waited
or the return of a friend from New Orleans
o complete the amount. All four gentle
men signed it on the twenty fifth of March.
During the day, and before the bond was
ormally approved, according to law.
epOrt was circulated that had accepted
ny Office on the condition that would edit
Republican paper in NatchitOches. As no
uch condition had been required or given,
denounced the statement as a malicious
alsehood-not only publicly, but to the
erson who had given it circulation. On
ccOunt Of this denunciation, q wanton
sssuit was made on me by bystander,
With pistol in his hand. Being unarmed,
nd ply ysically unable to resist successfully,
made no defense, but continued to brand
be statement as an infamous lie,
All this naturally created excitement.
'alsehoods of all sorts were freely circu- |
ated to injure me. They were doubtless
by designing persons to &C
omplish the end in view, which, however,
'as carefully concealed. The primary OBJ. |
'ct was to break my bond, and by popular
amor induce my friends to withdraw their |
ames from it. The ulterior purpose was
ven more carefully kept from the knowl.
1ge of the public. and remains to be told,
hich | shall do in few words:
When l arrived at home l announced that
should follow the instructions of the Au.
itOr and the wishes of Governor Kellogg.
nd refuse to collect the forty mills iudg.
ent tax levied for 1873, and all other
arish taxes III excess of fourteen and half
ills, unless otherwise instructed. NV OBJ
ct was to relieve the taxpayers Of an
lerOns burden, which they had declared
to contiscation, and compel tho
|
it'll them or appeal to the courts for relief.
My declaration in this respect created
arm among certain class of Judgment
'lders. A combination was formed to
wart my efforts to relieve the people,
lis ring" did not have the effronterv to
before the courts to compel the payment
this onerOus tax. They believed tbey
uld accomplish their purpose better, and
der more patriotic exterior, by defeat
3 my bond. They also desired at the |
me time to create public sentiment ad-
rse to me, thereby hoping finally to get
of me and secure more flexible tax
Hector who would do their bidding. At At
y rate they would attempt to force the
xpayers and not themselves to go before
3 courts, and thus be in a position to de- ,
md more liberal cOmprOmise-in other ,
rds, to dictate terms to the taxpayers,
ey very naturally wanted their money.
t they were also determined to wheedle
, taxpayers into getting it for them.
Let it be borne in mind that loud profess
ns OF patriotism or party zeal are often
ployed to hide selfish motives. That +
,h is the case in this instance, honestly :
ieve; and l am willing that my fellow /
zens shall impartially Judge between '
accept my views as conclusive in evi- q
Ice. Let the public consider the matter s
mly and without prejudice or passion
my most active opponents be marked,
II they are not judgment holders,
ir relatives or friends, l shall not hope 6
favorable verdict.
do not wish to be understood az favor 2
the reputation of the judgment debt.
ished merely to place the taxpayers in
osItion to dictate the terms OF payment e
adjustment, and to follow up the ad c
tage, which l propose to give them, in a
manner they thought proper. And if
Auditor does not modify his present in
lctions, l shall adhere to my original d
,ntiOn.
our fellow citizen,
C.J.C. PUCKETTE.
Cardinal McCl0skey's Carriage. n
he state carriage of Cardinal HcC CloYaey | f,