The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-06-28
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, UNE %, 1876.

irregularities and malpractices O
Mr.. Twitchell and his associates, a.
shown to have existed in Red Rive,
parish since its organization. The
testimony gives brief history Of
many transactions, and to this at
tention is invited.
In word, the affairs of the parish
have been managed under the direc.
ton Of Mr.. Twitchell in such way
as to merit and receive the condem.
nation of good citizens of both po.
litical parties; and your committed
have no hesitation in saying that
they were unprepared and greatly
surprised to find such lamcntable
condition of things existing.
These evils had grown to such an
extent that an organization had been
formed, known the property Hold
esr' and Laborers' Union," composed
of Republicans and Democrats, both
white and black, having for its OBJ
ject the rescue Of the parish from
its deplorable condition.
The evidence further shows that
Notwithstanding the condition o
affairs, for nearly two years past
there had been no political excite
ment; no threats or attempts at
intimidation had been heard or
made.
Men prominent in both political
parties testified that no one was in
danger by reason of his political
views, or his public or private utter
ance of the same; that men could as
safely express their political views
in Red River parish, on the stump
Of elsewhere, as in any part of our
common country. Together with
many others, A. B. Broughtun; par
ish judge and Republican,, testified
to the foregoing effect, and in addi-
ton stated that he had organized
Republican clubs during the cam
paign of 1874, and that at no time
had he been molested or made
afraid.
Your committee, after ascertain
ing that it was impossible to locate
Or identify the assassin, or to obtain
a clue as to who he was, having
directed their inquiries particularly
to the point as to whether politics
had anything to do with the affair,
are of opinion that the testimony Of
leading men Of the two political par
ties is explicit in establishing the
fact that the shooting Of King and
Twitchell was not caused by reason
Of their political opinions, and. that
the affair was not Of q political
character.
The evidence shows that Mr..
Twitchell had made a 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 reasonable ground of snspi-
cion against any particular person,
even among his personal enemies.
It may be we'll to state that it was
undoubtedly the sole purpose Of the
assassin to kill Mr.. Twitchell, and
that Mr.. King was shot after he had
very properly fired at him.
In conclusion, your committee are
of the opinion, from the best testi-
mony they were able to get, that the
people of Red River parish, irrespec-
tive Of party, were DESTROYS of politi-
cal quiet, and are prepared to well
come to their midst men of all par
ties who are disposed to conduct
themselves as law-abiding, peaceable
citizens.
The evidence is herewith returned
and made part of this report.
All Of which is respectfully sub
mitted.
JOHN L. VANCE,
! WILLIAM WOODBURY.,
Sub Committee on Coushatta Affair.