The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-03-29
TIRE STATE HOUSE.
kellogg writes n Letter ne wants the
Citizens of East Raton Rouge Prose-
cuted for Driving his RasraIiy
Officials from the Parish

The following is copy OF Kellogg
letter to the District Attorney Of the
Fifth Judicial District:
New ORLEANS, March %, 1875.
Hon. AIvan F. Read. District Attorney Fifth Ju-
dicia District;
Sir-Ofiicial information has reached
me that in the parish Of East Baton
Rouge certain lawIess persons have com
bined together for the purpose Of dis
placing, by force or otherwise, the civil
authorities of that parish.
] am definitely informed that George
p. Davis, Parish Judge, and Il. /. Beau
regard, State and parish tax collector Of
East iBaton Rouge, have been driven
from the parish, in open violation Of law.
The Parish Judge is a constitutional
officer, elected by an undisputed major
ity. Up to this time no charges have
been substantiated against him which
would affect his right to exercise his
office. IF he has been guilty Of any
such charge, it is your duty TO institute
proceedings against him before the Dis
trict Court now in session IN East Baton
Rouge.
The tax collector Of the parish was
APPOINTED by me some three years since.
| He is a colored man who, before APP
pointed him, had served creditably, /
believe, as United States Collector Of
Internal Revenue IT he is a defaulter,
or has been derelict in his duty, it is
your province to proceed against him
before the Grand Jury, now in session
In East Baton Rouge.
The sheriff Of this parish, constitu-
tional officer, elected by large major
ity, was some time since driven away
and compelled to resign, no olfense
being alleged against him, that | am
aware Of, except that he was q colored
man. ] appointed in his place q white
man, native Of the parish, ana | per
ceive that committee chosen at the
meeting recently held at Baton Rouge,
while expressing dissatisfaction with
him .on account Of his political associa-
tions recommended that he be tolerated
for the present.
The laws of the State provide ample
means for the removal and punishment
Of derelict officials.
n proper prosecutions are instituted,
90 as to give me jurisdiction, / will act
promptly in the case Of any appointee
proved guilty of misconduct, but the
forcing Of officials by threats Of violence
to resign their positions, IS not only in
violation Of law, but calculated to bring
discredit on the parish and State.
The occurrence Of such state OF
things in Baton Rouge while the District
Court Is IN session WITHOUT any elIOrb
being made, 50 far as / am informed, to
check these evils, prompts me to call
your attention specifically to them. L
do not intend to permit a resort to
violence in East Baton Rouge.
To the end therefore that / mag ex-
haust all civil remedies, / request you
to Immediately institute prosecutions
before the district court against all
persons known to have been concerned
in the recent unlawful disturbances IN
the city Of Baton Rouge, and not only
against these persons, but against any
officers Of the parish who have been
derelict in the discharge Of their duties
Should the sheriff be called upon to
execute any process OF the court, you
will cause him to be instructed to sum-
mon a posse cOnljtdtis OF good citizens
to execute this process, no matter by
whom resisted, and, il met by force,
YOU will cause me to be informed lmme-
diately Of the fact.
Irequest you, further, to call the spe-
cial attention OF the district Judge to
these points, and to move in open court
| for instructions to the Grand jury
/ touching these matters.
| Very respectfully,
/ VIM P. KELLOGG, Governor.