The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-06

general equity allew, the State should forthwith
adopt some plan. Comparatively limited und'
Mr.. Osmpbelrs administration such irregul,
sales are fearfully repeated under previous ~
ministra tons, as shown me by Mr.. Armsnt; an
besides the defrsudng Of the state, this, II NJ
corrected, will lead to liiigations aud contest
among owners, which may involve the States n
spoons ibility.
An item OF still greater Importance in the mai
ter of ''actual settlement lands" IL fully 81
pisped In the same report, and establishes be
yond any possible doubt, the foundation for M
Armsnt's assumption, that the whole of sue
sales were fraudulent. end that not one. nnetjs
part Of them are now held by any Of their orig
nal purchasers for the objects set forth In thei
affidavits. Whatever HaGy be the market value q
said lands, we have positive knowledge that be
sides their production OF valuable lumber the
Yield IN frewood ct least $40 per acre fyted beip
eighty cords per acre. and the cords selling 4
| 81 30 eaehI. When we consider that those land
| we're bought for the sole purpose OF seourin,
their timber and then abandoned, and that th
purchasers were not OF thst class Of invited set
| tiers anu ouliivators whom II was the intent y
our law to attract aud to encourages by its liberia
! provisions, ID becomes obvious that any con
donement OF such piracy (if am permitted The
| suggestive etpressop) is Inconsistent with TIN
dictates OF our conscience and derogativs from
| the dignity vested in us by the people.
The immense area OF lands so sacrificed face
section l2is land sales, in same repor) Ia Of tos
great value and extent to be lest by the State
ab this time especially, when TIL people Of the
| overpopulated Northwest are so eagerly ssekipt
new homes In our more genial cimes, which dis.
position II is our interest TO foster by all possible
Inducements. Of which cheap lands would be The
best appreciated.
To accomplish this recovery OF lands sold or
false ailidavits and below their vslue, would
suggest the appointment by the Legislature of q
special commissioner whose oompensst on
should be spportioned to the value be recover,
for the State. In regard to this cheerfully re.
commend the annexed proposition and applics.
tion of Mr.. Armant, who has given us valuable
proofs OF his proficiency and promptness in such
works.
In the matter Of Irregularities and means for
their correction, fully ELECTED and explained in
the same above report, have drawn up with the
assistance OF Mr. Armant. the appended project
OF bill regulating the affairs aud conduct OF The
Land Office, and the provisions Of which ere the
only available means to put an end to the abuses
discovered, to insure regularity and system, and
to avert any further Irregularities in The various
transactions OF the Land Office
The examination Eof maps and comparing Of
the same with the books, to ascertain whether
any tracts had been marked 'sold" ard had not
been so entered In the sale books. has proven
negative after very tedious aud arduous
search OF Mr.. Armant. He remarks, however
traces OF corrections and erasures ia various
maps. but If so, corrections having been made,
there remains no basis for charge.
He has also (since your meeting Of December
~, besides this examination, proceeded with
the colating OF sffidavits CORES pondipp with
certificates issued 80 az to ascertain whether apy
sales had been made without afHdsvits, and
whether the afidavits found were in any way
crooked or not.
Alter going over comparison OF some tone
af1iiavits he had 30 abandon the
work, since this number represented barely one
third OF what should be on file. The explanation
given him for this absence OF records was that
during the January troubles. the troops or police
stationed in the stste-H had scattered all
the papers OF the Office, aud these papers were
found incomplete at the reconstituton Of the
Land Office
The fsots seem TO he oredible, and at any rate.
there was ended, for want of the Indispensable
data and proofs, another part OF the investiga-
lion of no less strain than the former.
The labors OF your experts, the extent and I'm
portanoe OF which will fully appear in their re-
spectye reports began on October Ii and con.
Iinued daily without intermssion, until this date
q. m. to and p. m. The greater part OF the
work was done by Mr.. Armant, since MIR. Weight.
man, having had his arm injured, was forcibly
in bis labors and had to rely on his
colleague.
After completing all bis work, nearly, Mr.. Ar. |
mant, In order to present some material TO Your
meeting In December, had TO employ two clerical
assistants for fifteen Gays esch-a help without
which II WAS materially impossible for him to make
. timely report, and recommend your making |
provision for the compensation OF the said clerks
The examination in 0 the use OF the appropris- |
ions was begun by Mr.. Weightman aud com.
,leted with Mr.. Armspt's sssistan 70, and the re-
'ort thereof You will find appended here for your
xamins ion.
1 made IL my duty to Supervise ali the work |
one by your experts, and can give full credit to
he vsstness and completeness Of the reports APP
ended, and which could not be made without an
nmense sacrifice OF time and care, as mentioned
] the first part Of this. and amounting, in fact, 10
reconsttution OF all the operations Of the Land
flee In eight years,
The irregularities in the administrations pre-
ious to those under which Messrs. Campbell and
sy held their office are really stupendous, as
hown me by MIR. Armant; but there being no re-
purse against the parties, the role remedy left
10 State is that already proposed herein CT
'ekng redress through regular proceedings Of a
,ecial commissioner.
From these statements OF wrongs sustained by
le State, conclude, and on the evidence shown
the reports OF the EXPERTS commend. That
IMMEDIATE steps be taken for the recovery OF
MOUNTS due by Messrs. II. J. Campbell and
,hn Ray respectively, as well az from all such
,rties who knowingly have deirauded or assisted
defrauding the State, as shown In the said
ports.
Mr.. Fl. j. Campbell is indebted to the State
per statements, in the sum Of =.
MIR. John Ray IL indebted to the State, as per
in the sum Of s..
anu 'aioue paihee, PfocuIluB iauus ou tatse
fdavis and under false or erroneous classifica-
ms. are indebted unto the State for the real
lue OF - acres. which, al their legal price,
ID deducting part OF price paid originally,
mount to the whole sum Of =.
Besides these, there are parties similarly In.
bted to the State for identical objects In the
lue OF more than $4,000 acres OF land, sid
evious to the tepures in which these investiga-
ms were carried, aud amounting to not less
an s5O. 100 (meanest approxlmation.)
Hoping all these wrongs will BIO redressed. aud
at the work of your experts, and my su-
rvsion thereof, will satisfy your committee
ID both chambers Of our legislature, / beg
ave to remain. honorable sir and gentlemen,
specially you're. ,,
VIM. FL. PERALTA,
larman Sub Committee OF Legislative Commit .
tee Investig .ting Land Office.
New ORLEANS, January 8, 1873. {
,norable Chairman and Members OF the Com
mittee OF Investigation OF the Land Office:
GenIenen-Following the mention made In the I
regong part Of my report and on the sui cot OF q
tf,va tins ipno thn /.