New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-10
REPUBLICAN. FRIDAY. 10 1876.
SOUTHERN REPUBLICAN ASSOClA.
TON.

SOUTHERN REPUBLICAN, AssOClA.
TON.
At the regular weekly meeting of the
Southern Republican Association, on Wed
nesday evening, Hon. Lucien Adams asked
permission to present the following state
ment. which he accompanied with few
pertinent remarks:
Some time ago sisted to Governor kel-
logg that for certain motives l wished to
occupy tho seat of Judge for tho First
Municipal Police Court for. one mouth.
The Governor acceded to my request, and
I accordingly took my sea: 40 judge in that
court. The month has now expired, and
think it due to myself and to tho club to
give some explain ration OF the motives wnlcn
actuared my conduct.
Having reasons to suspect that the prac-
tices of the court were corrupt. wished to
satisfy myself a. to the truth OF the matter
During the short time that occupied the
position, found that they were 90, to q
considerable extent.
Instead of acting in concert for the bene-
fit of the public, the Judge, the Chief Of
Police, and the department Of police have
been conducting the affairs of the court in
the interest of private individuals and OF Q
Republican ward club, thereby frequently
defeating the aims Of Justice.
The police have been in the habit OF re-
leasing whom they please, without refer
ence to the cause of imprisonment. IL 10
from this that the controversy between the
Chief of Police and myself arose.
Foster, q notorious bunkO roper and
bad character, was arrested in consequence
of . requisition. He was released by the
police. In my capacity a. magistrate or
dered him to be rearrested. By Captain
Loans orders he was again released. In
consequence Foster has escaped from jus
tice, and the law has been frustrated 0y
those who are paid to enforce it.
Another abuse is the nefarious practice
of accepting straw bail. This is regular
trade carried on by members of the Repub.
| licsn ward club that have before alluded
to. This system of blackmsiling the I'M
| fortunate prisoners 10 sanctioned Dy the
| Judge, and justice is thus prostituted, TO
ward club.
do not state that which can not prove;
l will cite different cases. One man.
| member of the ward club, who owns Iot
| of ground valued at $500 in the month OF
| January, alone, stood ON bonds tor over
| $4,000. Another man, member OF the same
| club, gave bonds for over $1,000 during the
mouth of January; that mans property ola
| not exceed $500 in value. A third, whose
| property is valued at $500, gave bonds for
more than five times that amount. Besides
| these amounts. there are bonds for past
months remaining uncanceled amounting
to many thousands of dollars.
In whatever position l may have been
placed, have always done my d nHl a. s.t my
other wise during the short period that oc
cupied the judgeship of the First Municipa!
| Police Court. l accepted no straw bail;
did not act in collusion with professional
bondsmen and with the police department,
and all the fines collected by me we're duly
and promptly paid to the city without re-
tanning them in payment of nv salary.
NV connection with the First District
Municipal Police Court is now at An end,
and have laid before you this statement
of facts which points ont some OF the evils
We are called upon to reform. The cam
paign is now opened: let us, therefore, MAKE
use of these facts to show the fallacy OF the
present system of police. and to uproot q
power 90 pernicious and corrupt.
The statement was received by the club
with great enthusiasm.
General Leonard Sewell addressed the
club az follows:
Gentlemen-But few days have elapsed
since the Legislature of 1876 made its
last effort, and with it's expiring breath We
| we're launched upon the sea OF the ap
preaching campaign. The storm signals
| are out, and the waves will run high; Dut
with courage, tirmness of purpose aud good
resolve. we viii assuredly steer safely into
port. The time is 1T hand when we must
act, AND declare what We intend to do: II
must MT be supposed that We will follow
old beaten tracks worn with the tread Of
, vice and corruption. Dishonest political
men have heretofore invaded offices o.
trust; confidence has been destroyed, and
commerce languishes. Ward clubs must
of no dictation from them. l assert or
good authority that IN many instances
the leading men in the several wardt
of the city and throughout the State have
, heretofore driven their party to accep,
their tools for Office regardless OF respect
ability, capacity or integrity, and in mos
/ cases have shared in the em0luments. Thu
Of mediocre ability, little education. bu
considerable cunning. They may have
ability to lead . ward club, but that il
| scarcely sufficient to entitle them to cOntrO
the political, educational, commercial ant
agricultural interests of the country. FO
, the misrule and disorders existing in on
. midst, We must hold these sectional leader
, in great measure Responsible; their gree'
for political positions for which they ar
: socially and mentally unfit, has so over
} | weighted the Republican party, that unlee
it can shake off this incubus it will be total
" annihilated.
It is time that We strike blow for tn
{ public good. Incompetent and halt-edu
Gated men have been appointed to scho0
boards, controlling heavy sums OF money
Officials in legal positions have been know
: | to barter the public revenues for persons
l pecuniary advantage.
The city authorities abuse the public cor
| fidence, and citizens refuse obedience t
l the laws. What then hae become of Amer
can honor! Whittier have our libertie
| wandereds To which of the two cOntenC
: ing factions are we to look for the one Q
l find the other!
Our duty lies before us, and we mus
| fulfill it vigorously and unrelentlngly 3
supporting the best men selected from tn
most Intelligent and upright of all parties
, Let ali whether white or black understan'
: that Office should be the means of wisel
+ | carving on the government for the benet
of the Dublic. and not used as means {
supporting the lazy, the INDECENT and tn
| ignorant.
All men have right to the elective fra!
< chise, and let us hope the people OF tn
State are endowed with sufficient INTEL
gence to support good and competent me
for otfice-when l say the people, l mea
l the whole people, az recognized by our col
l | stitutiou; and it is time they should ASSET
r their right to act according to their lght
and not submit supinely to the dictates
= | <lo <,,r,u1ont faw Thav mnst be arouse