The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-10-17
PLAIN TALK.

uuQ lEOm mlStaheh oApeiiSheS, VIZ"
our contributors, our friends and pa
irons, are losing sight of the duties
of a journalist. Our paper political,
ly is a Democratic one in the true
sense of the honored term, and we
never devlate from that path in al
lowing It's tenets attacked, but still
it is paper devoted to the true in,
terests of the Parish, and has friends
and patrons, who have right to dis.
agree with us in many views, and
further a right 10 the free use of oul
columns to make known their senti'
ments, their opinions and their ideas
of men and measures, who are en-.
trusted with public duties in our Pa
rish. This, we hope, is a plain an
swer to our communicate, "Fail
Play" assuring him that zone OF
the People," whose communication
he finds fault with is a gentleman, a
large tax payer, a lifelong patron
and friend of ours, and had perfect
right TO the use of our col.
umns, and moreover, is perfectly
responsible for his acts and words
therein expressed. But this does
not argue, that we coincide with him
in all he writes, though we have
great regard for his opinions. None
of US are free from imperfections.
from prejudice, and it is only by
comparison and expression Of our
views, that we can arrive at some
safe conclusion.
Again for the thousandth time, re.
peating and reasserting our honest
opinion, our firm conviction of the
grand and arch infamies, forgeries
and perjuries of the Returning Board
which have forced on the people Of
this country fraudulent President
who in turn has rewarded every mem
Der CT the Board, as well as its Sec.
rotary with fat offices in the New Or
leans Custom House, we shall now
proceed to have our say, our authen.
tic talk about the main intention Of
both communications from "One oil
the People, and "Fair Play"
We shall preface these few plain
words with the expression, that we
write knowingly on the subject; and
do it purely to set the public right
towards a good official, who we be.
lieve and know 10 be correct and hon.
estly disposed to settle with the State
for every dollar he has collected
Too much, great deal TOO much in,
justice has been done, thus far in
this matter, to Mr.. Burgess, the late
Tax Collector, and now that the op
portunity has been forced on US, We
shall certainly see that justice ant
fair play is extended to him, and
that he be judged by his acts, biz
own official acts, and that the hercu
lean sins of the Returning Board, be-
cause he has marital links existing
with its head, be not permitted tc
soil his robes or prejudice his case
In words as plain as language car
convey them, and as plain as type
can print them, we know and we here
affirm it, that Mr.. Burgess has ten.
dered, and anxiously offered a full
and. fair settlement of his collections
to the Auditor, and that the Auditor
was willing 10 make that settlement
considering it just and ample, but
that red tape, honeycombed will
punctillous prejudice and foolish
business traits of another Bureau Of
the State Department thwarted this
settlement and prevented it. Surely
Mr.. Burgess could not have done
more, offered less, and we now know
and are convinced he is not in The
least responsible for the childist
turn the matter has been permittec
to take against him.
In the last few weeks, we learn
that suit in the District Court ha.
been ordered against him and hi.
sureties, and that it has been insti
tuted by the District Attorney, ant
such being the case we believe pub
lie opinion in the matter, which il
this article we desire to post as tt
the true facts, should be stayed ant
let the State here, through its eff
Gent District Attorney, get as goo'
terms out of Mr.. Burgess judicial,
as he offered in person to the Audi
tor. But, above all, let it rest on it
real merits, and stop all talk of pros
ecution and persecution. Deal fai
and rigidly and rightfully with on
whose acts demand justice an
fairness.