The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-23
THE DULA-CHAPMAN CASES.
Investigation Of Postal Affairs by Gen.
Geo. A. sheridan.

Investigation Of Postal Affairs by Gen.
| Geo. A. Sheridan.
| Gen. Geo. A. Sheridan returned on Thursday
evening from his tour Of investigation Of the
| postal affairs In the Felicanas. Rapdes and
Avoyelles parishes Apart of the Generals mis-
sion was to inquire into the cases Of John 8. Dula
and Samuel s. Chapman, the former recently ap-
| pointed postmaster at Bayou Sara, West Felci.
ana, and the latter at Clinton, East Feciana, and
who claimed TO have been prevented from per-
forming their official functions and, in fact driven
from their homes by the people Of these parishes,
narrowing narratives of which have frequently
| appeared in the Radical press OF the country.
Our reporters interview with Gen. Sheridan
was directed particularly TO this part Of his duty
as special postofice agent and, although OF short
duration, was
VERY PLEASANT AND SATISFACTORY.
Regarding some particulars OF his investiga-
ton the General, without being reticent. was re-
served, on the plausible ground that his investi-
CATION was of private nature, and the facts
which he had gathered should be communicated
to the postal department at Washington, off
caly, before being given to the public He
nevertheless spoke without restraint on general
topics concerning the condition Of the country in
and about the Felicianas. He considers that o
tone of healthfulness and the return to law and
order is evident and that the colored people ap-
preciate the change, and express their satisfac-
ton at the new order of things in an unmistak-
able manner. The intelligent and influential
white people have certainly been working zeal
ously and energetically to bring about harmony
among oil classes, and are making vigorous
efforts to suppress oil violence and lawessness
and to provide for the equality before the law for
the coored as we'll as for the white people. In
his conversation with our reporter Gen. sheri-
dan instanced several cases wherein the law
HAD BEEN INDICATED
of late, without regard as the sacramental phrase
has it, to race. color or previous condition Of
servitude and his citations contain unpleasant
commentaries on the administration OF Kellogg.
One case cited by the General was that OF white
man who was found guilty OF the killing OF Q
negro in one Of the Felicianas. while the General
was there himself. The killing had occurred
several years ago, but during Kellogg's admins.
tration nothing had been done to bring him to
Justice. Referring to the alleged intimidation OF
Dula it was true that the small coffin had been
left at his house with the information that he had
better leave, owing to his unftness for the post
mastershp The luminosity to Dula was not re-
stricted to the white people, who claimed that he
is as utterly incompetent to perform the duties OF
postmaster as he was those OF parish Judge, but
the colored people charged him with libidinous-
ness and with creating
SCANDAL IN THEIR FAMILIES.
In the case of Chapman, the dissatisfaction was
attributable to the conviction that an ignorant
field hand was not fit personage to take charge
OF the postofice of Clinton.
Outside Of our interview with Gen. Sheridan,
we have been informed that the charges OF inca
pacity or unftness OF Dula and Chapman for the
responsible positions to which they were ap-
pointed WILL in all probability, be sustained in his
report to the Postmaster General.
Gen. Sheridan being questioned by our report
er as to allegations OF these men that they
could not return to their homes, he answered
that he had the verbal and written assurances of
such men as DIR. +. M. Mumford, tax collector;
Jno. J. Barrow, sheriff; j. Moo. Lswrason parish
Judge: W. w. Leake, parish attorney, and other
Felicana, that Dula could return home and take
possession of his Office at his pleasure, and that
he would have
THE FULL PROTECTION
of the courts, and that any outrage that might
be committed against him would be dealt with
as though it had been committed against any
other citizen; that while they believed Dula to
be 90 utterly incompetent to perform the duties
of Postmaster Of Bayou Sara Be- he had proved
that violence was not the way to obtain his re-
moval, and that they she uld make therefor proper
representations to the Postofice Department.
Similar assurances and opinions, also verbally
and in writing, were given him regarding the se-
curity Of Chapman against any moleetation IN
men of East Feliciana who have pledged them
selves to the protection Of Chapman, Gen. Shefi-
dan mentions D. J.. Wedge, parish attorney:
BENZ. T. West, deputy sheriff: Jnfy. 8. Lanier,