The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-06-16
POSTMASTER GENERAL KEY AND
FELIOIANA MOB LAW.
By EMERSON BENTLEY

the supremacy of law. The man who
would utter a threat or seek a life
should be rebuked as slanderer or
public enemy, and promptly called
to account by vigilant citizens. 1t
is not forgotten that during the pro-
gress of the last very exciting po-
litical campaign, when Democratic
eyes were centred with a singular
prediction upon Republicans, and
bulldozers and the Coroner were busy
in Fastening their departure from that
locality, an attempt was made to ap-
pease public opinion relative to those
occurrences, with the assertion that
citizens were acting in defense of the
best interests of society. The justifi-
cation was, in substance, the assertion
that weak government, powerless
to compel obedience or respect for
its DEGREES, in its operation retained
in Office, despite the good people of
the Feliciana parishes, men whose
crimes would make the angels weep,
and which COMMON mortals could by
no sort of reason be expected to en-
dure hence the obnoxious officials
were given a violent exit.
But the government of Kellogg and
Packard, against which was centred
the burden of this complaint, ceased
to exist, and the Governor who had
received the votes of the complain
ants came into power. The Legisla
ture was in cooperation with him.
The executive and the law-making
power were within the call Of the
Felicianas, the Returning Board ended
and Democratic court the supreme
arbiter of all disputes within the
State. This, however, did not pre-
vent the shooting of d. A. Weber,
Republican, in broad daylight, Oh a
prominent street of St. Francisville,
by two or more persons, and a jury
verdict that the murderers were un-
known. 1t was accepted as Il favor
able beginning of an honorable ad-
ministration. that Governor Nichols
promptly issued his proclamation
offering reward for the discovery of
the guilty parties. 1t is a great stain
upon the fair name of the Felieianas
that the perpetrators of that deed
have neither been prosecuted or jailed.
Before the congenial and welcome
influence of eonciliation can well be
drawn as mantle to cover the dark
Weber crime, the Felicianas are again
found not in accord with the pledges
of Governor Nichols, or that good
faith with the President evidently
appropriate under all the circum-
stances leading to Louisiana's present
condition. James Laws, Republican,
is killed and the mob of the Felicianas
rebels against the National govern
ment direct by refusing to respect the
commissions of two Postmasters, or
allow them to peaceably hold their
offices.
Samuel Chapman, colored, was COM
missioned postmaster of Clinton in
January. May 18 he wrote from New
Orleans to Postmaster General Key,
stating that owing to the unsettled
condition of affairs he made no at
tempt to take possession until May
Is, when, in the act of taking posses
sion, he was confronted by Demo-
cratic judge and member of the Leg
islature, who informed him, =" there
is no law that will protect You from
a mob in case you attempt to take
the Office"
Another colored man, named Dula,
Postmaster of st. Francis
vile last December, reports from New
Orleans his life in danger if he at
tempts to take possession, and that
he has not received his commission,
although three have been forwarded
him through the St. Froncisville Office
and returned to the department as
Z" not called for"
These Postmasters applied for Off
cial instructions in their cases, and
the matter being under advisement,
Congressman Ellis presented endorse
ments of citizens in good standing,
that the new appointees by reason of
illiteracy, ETC., were unfit for the po-