The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-06-18

pSGpetl.teA upoe Ae trdsu1 ed
by Twttchsll aud his conferences.
1 Your committed cannot, within the
space Of this report, recapitulate the
worse than prOf1fgate conduct of school
affairs and other Irregularities and NAL
| practices OF Mr.. Twitchell and his as
sociates, as shown to have existed In
Red River parish since its 0fganixAffOn.
The testimony gives q brief history of
many transactions, and to this attention
Is invited.
In q word, the affairs Of the parish
have been managed under the direction
| OF Mr.. Twitchell in such q way as to
| merit and receive the condemnation OF
good citizens of both political parties !;
and your committee have no hesitation
in saying that they were unprepared
and greatly surprised to find such q Ia
mentable condition OF things existing
These evils had grown to such an ex
tent that an organization had been
formed, known as the Property Hold
ers' and Laborers' Union," composed OF
Republicans and Democrats, white and
black, having for its object the rescue
OF the parish from its Jeplorable condi-
ton. MA N
The evidence further shows that not
withstanding the condition of affairs.
for nearly two years past there had been
no political excitement; no threats or
attempts at intimidation had been heard
or made. 8Hs4
Men prominent In both political par
ties testified that no one was in danger
public or private utterance OF the same !;
that men could as safely express their
political views in Red River parish, on
the stump or elsewhere. as in any part
of our common country. Together with
many others, A. b. BroughtOn, parish
judge and Republican, testified to the
foregoing effect, and ia addition stated
that he had organized Republican clubs
during the campaign Of 1874, and that
at no time had he been molested or
made afraid. NJ
Your committee, after ascertaining
that it was impossible to locate or iden-
tify the assassin, or to obtain clue as
to who he was, having directed their
inquiries particularly to the point rs to
whether politics had anything to do
with the affair, are OF the opinion that
the testimony OF leading men OF the two
political parties is explicit in establish
Ing the fact that the shooting of King
and Twichell was not caused by reason
OF their political opinions, and that the
affair was not OF political character.
The evidence shows that Mr.. Twit-
chell had made q number Of personal
enemies within his own political party,
and that threats against his life had
been made by one or more of these
parties but the evidence was not Of a
character to create q reasonable ground
OF suspicion against any particular per-
son, even among his personal enemies.
1t may be we'll to state that it was un-
doubtedly the sole purpose Of the assas-
sin to kill Mr.. Twitchell, and that Mr..
King was shot after he had very proper
ly fired at him.
In conclusion, your committee are OF
the opinion, from the best testimony
they were able to get, that the people OF
Red River parish, irrespective of party,
were DESTROYS Of political quiet, and are
prepared to welcome to their midst men
Of all parties who are disposed to con-
duct themselves as law-abiding, peace
able citizens.
The evidence is herewith returned and
made part of this report
All OF which is respectfully submitted. |
JOHN l.. VANCE,
WILLIAM WOODBURY.,
Sub Committee on Coushatta Affair.