New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-22
ayurlON SALES THIS DAY.
Local Intelligence.

WHOSE PROPERTY!-LateIy the quesblOn
as to how far the public is entitled TO the
use of police and municipal court records
or books has been considerably discussed,
sone few contending that the documents
NAV he kept strictly private by the custO-
dams: others take broader view, and con-
tend that the books are public property.
To begin at the beginning. The people are
taxed to pay for the books and the labor OF
keeping them, consequently 1t is natural 10
suppose that those who pay have clear,
undoubted right to examine that they pay
their money for, and should the custodians
set themselves up as private keepers Iney
are clearly guilty Of violation Oh private
rights. ,,:o,. :.
Any citizen, having a proper ooJect IN
view. ia entitled to walk into any station
house or court room and demand such a.
formation as his business calls for: it his
purpose be simply to satisfy curiosity ne
should not find fault if he receives curt
reply. Magistrates, clerks OF policemen
are employed to perform certain puolc
duties, and if they refuse to lmpart the IN
formation called for they are guilty OF mis-
conduct in office. There are instances
where it would undoubtedly be improper
for an officer to impart information, such "a
in the matter of an incomplete case, as
when the chief cf police has but hall mn.
ished an important inquiry; or IN court OF
record where q true bill has been returned
against an offender who has not been ar.
rested and knows nothing OF the stage OF
the case Then there can be no DOUBT tnat
the custodian should seal his BOOKS ana
lips, in order that justice might not De
frustrated.
In THE GOVERNMENT PENITENTIARY::-
DEPUTY United States Marshal Steele, who
had charge of the crooked whisky prisoners
who were sent from this city to the govern
ment prison in West Virginia, has returned,
reporting that he duly delivered his charge.
The prisoners were closely shaved, and bar
cropped to the scalp, and afterward com
PEELED to don striped suits of clothing such
as the convicted are compelled to wear. AZ
the sentence did not give the men hard
labor punishment they were assigned 10
cells to pass their time as well as they
might. Messrs. Todd, Beales and James
concluded that the monotony OF prison lie
would be hard on them, therefore informed
the keeper that they would like to Do as
signed to some light duty. The three were
they will be instructed in the mysteries OF
making Havana cigars out Of the Virginia
weed. There is prison library which they
can use, but regulation prohibits the use
of newspapers.
BRIEF DlENTION.-L6eI cScAAnS +" wv
ored boy, John Lee, aged fifteen years,
residing on General Taylor near Constance
street, was accidentally drowned IN the
river at the head of General Taylor street
while bathing. His body was not recov'
cred.
John Valentine and Thomas Claveny are
in the central calaboose for stealing gold
watch and chain and two bracelets, worth
$500.
Edward Sullivan found it easy to steal
newspapers, but found it hard TO take
sweat bath in the first calabOOse.
Residents near the lake end OF the New
canal have had a small sensation. Fisher
men and hunters reported that wild man
was ranging around in the nelghborins
swamps, and that he was likely to eat all
little children that might stray across his
path. Officer Flood started out at two
O'Clock yesterday morning to capture the
monster while sleeping. 1t turned out thai
the man is insane, and it was learned thai
his name is J. NJ. Herman. He has beer
provided for.
United States Marshal Packard will to-
day receive, by mail, the documents rela
tive to the Communication Of Mr.. tehren
bachs sentence; SO it is likely that thai
that gentleman will soon be released.
The unfinished regatta will take place
this evening at Milneburg.
There will be preaching in the City Park
about three squares from the Bayou bridge
on Sunday, twenty-third instant. All de
nominations are invited to attend. Service
will commence at $3.50 p. M.