The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1877-10-20
S\l'IN T.,
Communicated.
SABINE PARISH, la.
October 1th., 1917. I

Communicated.
SABINE PARISH, la.
October 1th., 1917.
EDITOR N1NplC>ToE
DEAR SlH:-AS yon have upon so
many occasions, kindly prottcred the
columns Of your valuable paper, to
the people of Sabine, that We mi Ght
make ourselves heard upon the differ
ent topics that mi yht interest us-and
as they are ever at the disposal Of any
one that wishes to expose any one
that may drviato from tho path of
rectitude, either as citizen, or as an
official. 1t is for this purpose that |
cncroach n?on your valuable time and
space, and ask to relate to the public
the actions of some of the members of
our members of the Police Jury, and
of our Treasurer, and legal adviser of
the Police Jury and hold them up
for pnblic exrcration.
The Police members that were cleo
ted in November lS71-tive in num-
Der, have been duly commissioned,
and transacting business. Reform
has been their watchword. They en-
tered upon the discharge of their du-
ties, resolved to right the wrongs of
the past, and to carry on the govern
mcnt of the parish efficiently, and
economically, and no doubt they
wonld have done so had they not been
miSled--as they are all gentlemen Of
integrity, but have had but little eX.
pcricnce in public life At their reg
ular meeting in June, parish Treas.
nrer was to be elected. Several gen
tlemcn offered their services, and at
the same time proposed to discharge
the duties of the office for 5 per cent
Mr.. f. +. Presley, whose voice could
be heard above all others denouncing
fraud, and insisting upon Il thorough
reform in State and paroch!al affairs
by a profusc quantity of advice, his
winning smiles, as well as his hoSpi
tality towards the membcrs-Succcrd
ed in ingratiating himself with the
Hon. Body, and was unanimously
elected parish Treasurer. He being a
lawyer, was already their legal advi-
ser. An ordinance was passed at that
meeting, reducing the fees from 5 to
y per cent.
At the regular meeting 10 Octobor
the President Mr.. Il. NJ. Armstrong
aud Mr.. Wade Anderson was absent
they met, elected a President pro
tenn, and went to work.
The treasurer explained to them
that lie duties were more onerons
than heretofore, and demanded tina
the fees be raised again TO ) per cent
demand that the President had per
sistcntly refused.
A settlement with the Treasure
was the first business, the Treasure
asked for a poStponemrnt (nntIl III
fees were raisedD but a demand twa
made, he steps aside with Mr.. Glib
and asked, "have you attended t.
that ;matter ?" "No.' says Mr.. G.
"hut will before you return' and tn
first resolution that was offered, wa
by Mr.. j. NJ. Gibbs Sr., to the etfec
that the fees of the Treasurer he raj
sed from 9 to 5 per cent. Not con
tent with repeating the ordinance fo
his special benefit, bnt they, in diree
2 violation of the ordinance OF june
allow, and pay hiht 5 per cent on a
: monies received since his installmen
In this transaction he obtains none
that justly belongs to the parish.
lie pays over script of 1873: As:
and 1877 and renders his account
: such a manner that no one can te
e whether he retained his per cent frol
e the respective years-as it should
=. whether las we are led to believe) !
: retained them from monies of lS7
e which owing to the mode of colIec
d ing the taxes of this parish, is Il
most valuable. A few minutes aft
the settlement was effected, one
;, the board was very much surprised
u learn that they had done wrong
- allowing the Treasurer 5pcr cent.
Mr.. Editor, did you ever during Il
ignorant and corrupt government
your parish, hear Of or meet with SUI
j. stupidity?
10 next take mp our Treasurer
N "lcsal adviser" and in doing so mu
~ call your attention to claims he
'g against the parish, for services
ce Clerk of Registration in 1874, and
IN Supervisor Of Registration OF 1876
ey these claims were presented to t
H. Police Jury, and asked that they
I'd recognized as legal claims, that tn
might be placed upon the rolls of
lcbtedness to he forwarded to the l
gislature, by the President OF
Y Doard-actipg upon the advice of \
- Presley they were registered, whe
he upon parties in interest instit"'
s1it and obtained Judgment alta G
siderable expense to the parish. A
am getting too lengthy, | will for
, present close. More anon.
ne PRO BONO PUBLICO
in
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