The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1877-09-15
PUBLIC OPINION.
Interviews Of the HindicatOr Reporter
with Prominent Citizens.
What they say About the New York
SUNS lharge Against f. \. Burke.

As to the fact of L. \. Burke being
the custodian of 't|c agrccmcnt,' |
or any agreement for that matter, we
can say from Hn|on'fed catko,31y, that |
it is false.
In the first place, 40 agreement woS
erey mnr7o, unless the promise of Hayes
through and signed by his friends
Mathews and Foster and which have
long since been Published, both by
John Young Brown, of Kentucky,
and Col. Levy, Of this State, can hc
called such.
Our Reporter first called upon Col.
Levy, who stated his opinion with
regard to the n-attcn'lancc of wit
ncsscs as follows:
Co... WM. NJ. LEWIS opinion.
| know nothing in regard to thr re-
ported statement, that Mr. Burke told
Mr.. Hayes that the witnesses against
Wells and Anderson would not be forth
! coming on their trinl' It seems to me
to be a most extraordinary statement, and
canuot think that Mr. Burke WAS an
| thnriztd to make it, ;nd would rrgr t
! to hclirvr that he orr Yinatel, or is par
, ty to such Il scheme,
! As to the investigation ofthrsr charges
by Gov Nichols. | can only say, that.
the Governor is full acquainted with all
| the tirt> and circumstances connected
with the settlement md adjustment Of
our Louisiana difficulties, that he knows
perfectly well that no bargains, trafirS
or improper concessions We're made by
him. or any one authorized by him, to
effect what simple justice and clear right
Dictated and iuStiiirh. and if these rll:,ry-
rs are in such reliable and authentic
shape as to affect the public mind, have
no doubt he will investigate them, not
onl u fer the purpose, Of viuAicatiug his
supporters. hut also to afford one Of his
trusted officers an opportunity to di>provc
them If they are unIouMrl.
! OF COURSE his subsequent action will
he governed by his own sense of duty
after a full investigation, but if such AZ
rany"mcntS for >plritiny away witnesses
| have been made or participated in by
any officer of the State Government. no
matter what position he may fill. justice
aud tltcency Require his speedy removal.
GEN. P. A. MoE>E'> opinion.
| have read the letter of the WASH
invtnn Correspondent of the Nrw York
sun, in relation to Mr. Burkr'S state
mrNts as to the Wrlls-Andcrson prose-
cution.
We're it not for the gravity of the sub
irct and the responsibility Of the source
| from which the statement comes, should
believe it to be a tissue of facts and
falSchoodS, blended toS' Their for the pur-
pose of Il sensation article. If, however,
| Mr. Burke made the statements imputed
to him, he evidently intended though he
does not say SO in express, words, that the
public should believe that the officers of
the State Government were willing to
compound u charge of Felony against
Wells and Anderson. This, of course, no
one would believe, but Mr.. Burke should
be brought to the Book, and the whole
matter should be tully investigated
Public opinion, at least in this portion
of the country, will sanction no colnpro-
mise whatever, Oh so grave matters.
JUDGE DAVID PIEE>oN'S opinion.
In the first place the article to which
YOU refer. is somewhat sensational, and |
am not 50 SIRE that it deserves the con.
siIcration You = We it. 1t certainly has
no such Importance as to impose upon
the Governor the duty of investigating
the charges it contains. If Gov. Nichols
should take it upon himself to inquire
into all such matters, his time would lW
largely occupied by them, and he could
not well discharge his duties as Extcu,
tive of the State. With this explanation,
as to the character of the charges,
must unhcSltatInEly say, that if Maj
Burke, or any other public officer in the
State, has made arrangements by which
the witnesses who We're to prove the
toryrrirS in the returns from Vernon par.
iSh," will "not testify" or if such Officer
has knowledge that snch arrangements
have been made, and fails to report til,
fact to n Magistrate or District Attorney
he is guilty Of a high crime, and should
not only be dismissed from Office, but
be prosecuted for his own criminal acts
TO prevent witness from appearing and
te>tltying in criminal case by bribery
force, threats. Intimidation Of any kind
or by persuasion, is punishable at hard
labor not lis than ono nor more than
five years. Revised Statutes, Sec. $50
And to have knowledge of the commits
sion of such a crime and not to disclose
it to some committing Magistrate OF
District Attorney. is 4 crime punishable
by fine not exceeding $500, and inpris
Onmcnt at hand labor or otherwise, not
exceeding twelve months. Revised Stat
utrS, Sec. $50.
My confidence in the integrity and
purity of Gov. Nichols is such that
cannot doubt for Il moment, that he
would fail to remove an officer guilty OF
such conduct. Not only this, but ne
public officer would be permitted t,
make the statements to Gov. Nichols
tlid' b'ltAt IL itIoltcu " nave Ha'tc u
the President, without some re|tike, il
not immediate arrest and prosecution
The Governor has, doubtless, made mis-.
takes in the exercise Of his discretion
hut be has not, nor will he ever, in my
Judgment commit. condone, connivt
at, or sanction in any way, corruption III
office. He is as pure now as when h,
bore the banner Of an honest and down.
trodden people to victory, and this peo'
pie will never have cause to regret his
elevation.
MAYOR c. +. DRANGuET's opinion.
The charge in the above telepraphit
correspondence of n. Y. SrN is very
grave one. If true, the people of this
State would like to know, whence the
partit to 'the agreement" derived Their
authority to act for them. If false, then
parties high in position and in the cs-
teen Of our people have been basely
Slandcred, and the slaudcrPr sh0ulH be