The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-07-25
The LouisIan Trials "A National
Matter.

The Returning Boarders of louisiana
are not acting under the trying circum-
stances Of their case, like men whose con-
science is void of offence. They are
complaining Of violated agreements be-
tween high contracting political parties,
and of prosecution without an indictment
by the grand jury and in the face Of the
refusal of that body to find a true bill and
its presumed opposition to the proceeding
against them. These bubbles. however,
are efectualIy disposed of by Judge
Whitaker, who presided over the court
before which information was filed, and
by District Attorney Tinney, the officer
charged with the conduct of the prosecu-
ton. Judge Whitaker says:
A. presiding officer Of the Superior Grim
inal Court OF New Orleans, l have no dis o-
sition to express an opinion as To the cor
rectness of their conclusions; but | can say
personally that nothing of political Intrigue
OF maueuVer was mixed up with the matter,
and that no political ring. clique OF party
had any influence whatever upon the action
of the grand inquest or of the pro>ecu ing
officers OF the State or OF the courts. Meth
or MessrS. Packard, PItkin, Blaine, COnk-
ling. nor any other politician. Democrat or
Republican. orr Tiuated. suggested, in>ti-
gated or assisted in it, and il was not the
result of any design against Gov. y cholls.
The grand jury was composed of Democrats
and Repubicaus-whites ard persons OF
color-aud | believe they were unanimous
In the opinion that the subjec shod!d be
investigated
The returning officers will have a fair
trial by an mplrtiaI jury, with every op-
portunity to establish their defense.
District Attorney Tinney says:
II is true that Mr.. Wells and his fellows
are not prosecuted upon the basis on an
Indictment or true bU found by the grand
jury OF this parish. bat upon an iHtorna-
zion filed by me a District Attorney, upon
the following recommendation, viz:
"GRAND jury RooN.l
"NEW ORLEANS, June y, 1871. (
THE Grand Jury respectfully recon-
NERDS that the honorable court Will instruct
the District Attorney 20 file the proper in
formation against J. Madison Wells, Thorn
As {. Anderson. q. CaSsnaVe and Louis VI.
Kenner. members of the late Returning
Board, for perjury, forgery and altering the
returns OF the parish OF Vernon and other
parishes of the State.
JOHN A. O'BRIEN,
Foreman of Grand jury"
This was handed to me on the date Of its
writing, and as soon as possible tnereafte
| prepared, aud on the fifth of July following
filed the Information upon which j. Madi- |
son Wells aud his colleagues must APP
pear before the Superior Criminal Court tor |
the parish OF Orleans. for trial.
The grand jurors having knowledge |
of the forgery and perjury of Wells and |
his o-conspirators could not have failed |
to take cognizance of their crimes, with |
out suhiecting themselves to severe pen |
allies under the laws of Louisiana.
1t is said that Coy. Nichols is a party
to the political agreement assuring immu-
nifty to the Returning Roarders, and in
tends to exercise some sort Of extraOrdi-
nary power to prevent the trial But
the laws of the State are made for Gov
errors as well as for end jurors and
private citizens, and no man nor official
IS above tie laws and if the Governor
undertakes to usurp, or in any way 10 in
-erfere with, the functions of the judici-
lry, we presume that he will discover his
mistake
~ "iEOlO SPuHtlg 10 ICSlGtl III
hese proceedings for the reason that they
elate to an election in vi iGh the people
It large were concerned, and have felt
leep and abiding interest--the Presiden-
ial election. There is no desire on the
,art of Democrats to see Mr.. Hayes dis
placed, nor more discredited than he now .
5 by reason Of the supposed flaw in his
ite he is doing better th IA could have {
een expected under the circumstances 9
4 carrying out the constitutional policy !.
dvocated by the Democratic party; but G
ublic sentiment Is overwhelming that
he Returning Boarders should he brought .
} trial Tor the grave crimes with which +
ley are charged and q trial cannot be
reverted without involving all who at
smpt it in the disgrace of a conspiracy
} defeat the ends Of justice. Wells &
o., by their special pleas and contempt s.
BE subterfuges to avoid trial, are in ;;
feet confessiag their guilt; but nobody :,
lirsts for vengeance upon them. What u
wanted are the facts that they may VI
rye as guide post and warning for G
lture elections =