The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-16
Minority Report.

To the Ho. the Speaker and Members Of tn,
House II Representatives Of the State o
Iouisaa:
regret tht cannot concur with the majority
of the committee as TO their conclusions and re-
commentators. II does not appear to me from
q careful cosideration of the evidence and the
facts that an injuryhas been sustained by tn,
State. or thu sufficient ground exists for the
severe criticim passed by the committee upon
the conduct oofficers in the matter investigated
Some OF theicts complained of may have been
irregular. buthe condition Of things which in
duced the Sta. officers to take the course they
did, had beer brought about by violations OF
law much mob fragrant. even involving loss OF
life. and contiried attempts to overthrow. sub
vert or cmbarrss the government. that in my
Judgment the pblic exigency then demanded.
and has since justified, their action. 1t is
charged that in 10 month Of October. 1874 the
sum OF 35.OO0ws advan ed, temporarily. to the
Metropolitan Pore out of the State funds In the
1875. the sum Of 5000 was also advanced to the
police in the sammanner. until the same could
be realized by theollection Of city taxes.
During the pebd from September 1874. to
January. 1875. the 9ndition oi affairs prevaiin ing
In the city was sue that the collection of police
taxes by the city ", virtually suspended.
The pay oil the ,rcc was several months in
arrears from this ause. They We're on the
point of notwithstanding the lives and prop
erty of the citizens Unprotected. This fact can
In view of these fac it was deemed necessary
and OF the utmost imhrtance that their services
shoald be retained al thus wore the funds Of
over the pressing emerency till the city taxes
could be collected.
II is proved. and will ,ot be denied. that both
these sums have long siic been made good and
that the State has not. Ir could have suffered
the loss Of a single ddar. as the State was
ahundan!ly secured in eTy respect.
Mr.. Oglesby, the Fiscal gent Of the State was
also the Fiscal Agent of G. city, as well as the
Fiscal Agent of the Police ,ard
The money of the State the city and of the
Police. was in Mr.. Oglesby hands.
Notes were given by thc,olice Board to Mr.
Oclesby for these adyances,y virtue of a con
tract between him and the JIice Board. under
the jurisdiction of section act S, approved
Feb. rs. 1874, and indorscd byim rs fiscal agent
and were a lien upon all thNncolected taxes
of the city for police purpose These advances
were to be paid out OF the nrseceipts from the
city, and as a matter of fact it rs so paid
A great public emergency ~ met. and the
State did not and has not suited any loss.
Great stress is laid upon t,allegation that
the Governor and other State ofi,rs advised and
consented to these transactions. the very worst
| this whole transaction simplyhows that the
Governor, the Assistant Attornt General. who
was the acting Attorney Gener;tlnd all State
officers. in view of the public eXsncy that eX
police force. growing out of the eturhances Of
September 1874. approved the atof the Trea-
surer, affording temporary relieb the police
lwho had served as militia to thstate during
the period and to whom the Stateyas largely
indebtedI out OF the resources of thState. in the
interest of the community at largeaking such
guarantees that the State funds Wild not be-
and in fact have not at any timseen jeop-
ardized.
In view Of all the circumstances sroundine
can be charged against the officers 4 partici-
pated therein. and to Justify the hars measures
recommended by the majority
Respectfully submitted, L. A,NAER,