The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1879-06-14

and full determination to carry out both
tn. letter rs well AZ the spirit Of our
criminal statutes it il also dine to the
prompt punishment Of those who have
been found guilty Of fractions Of existing
criminal statutes. It il . matter Of sin
cere cong atulation to tho people, to
y"u' honorable court, as we'll a. our
selves, that this state Of exemption ex-
iStS throughout the parish and among all
classes III our citizens. There is one
grave infractiOn Of law which has been
an nnmitigated crime under the statutes
and to which your honor called our spe-
cial attention in your most excellent
charge, that has more particularly EN-
ployesl our time than any other subject
that il the almost universal practice VI
carrying
CONCEALED WEAPONS.
Under the sanctity of our oath % Grand
Jurors, without fear or favor, We have
presented eighteen bills Of indictment
against citizens who have infringed this
law. Il is an evil which 10 now attract
ing universal attention and against
which the legislative machinery of .
number Of States, - we'll - tho police
regulations of several large cities have
lesn directed. Il is to be hoped that .
law will be enacted by tho Consultation.
al Convention now in session, making it
not merely matter Of fine and imprison.
nent 10 the parish Jail, hut . penal Of.
Tense. Thus aud thus only, will tho lives
Of citizens be protected from the casual
ties which are the result Of tho reprehen.
sible practice. Nearly every indictment
by yOnr present Grand Jury has been
tho result Of carrying concealed weapons.
PUCLrC ROADS.
We have extended our Investigations
into oil matters presented to us. We are
10th to call attention to the condition OF
the public road. Existing Laws seem
inadequate to enforce labor On the public
roads, and it is discretionary with over
seers when they shalt work These high
ways. Our parochial Legislative body
shonld fix stated seasons for working the
roads, and then ere to it that tho ortlin.
ances enacted are enforced, and over.
seers as we'll a. hands promptly indicted
and punished for their infriugements.
The condition Of
BRIDGES
M our public Highways 10 aimply de-
plorablr more particularly thoss across
Rayon B"nrhenx, on the road to Grand
Eccrr from this city; that acroas Mill
BayOn near the residence of Julia Nor.
ris tho ono HcrO~ ths bsvou sOuth Of
\atchitoches. near thu residence Of Mr..
NJ. A. Simmons, and tn. on. across the
cIevass- above Campts. These bridg"s.
situated Oh important public highways,
are simply LangsrOns, unsafe to
CROSS AND EYEsOIE
70 tho travelling public. and should be
repaired At once to prevent, possible loss
Of both life and property.
MILE.POsTs. ETC.
There is also gross negligence in 70.
gard to sign posts Ut cross roads, a"d
ile.posts along principal thorongh fares.
The laws In regard to these matters ara
10 dead-l among thu ordinances Of
the Police Jury, and sfonld either be ex.
plunged or rigidIy enforced
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Al in dnty bOnnd We have examined
the public buillings and are sorry o
have any cause Of complaint on tho sub.
ject W. fi"d the Parish Prison in no
condition to safely keep prisoners COM
United within ito walls. Four Of the
cells are untena,,ls for prisoner placed
,~0,o,., %Hna> h.v;mw rooom<1v >so~v,..I
from confinement and Justice being only
temporarily patched up with inch plank
on the inside Tho cells on tho upper.
Aoor sre unfinished and incapable Of be
irv usrd. The wall around tho prison il
also fast decaying s"d need immediate
renovation to mako it safe. The
SANITARY CONDITION
of the j.il 10 not such - should exist. Il
needs cleansing and white. washing, and
it 10 to he hoped that this matter win bs
attended to Immediately. It do~s not
appear to your jurors that the jeil yari
Is 4 proper place for securing swine,
which arc certainly not very clearly
companions for tho prisonen who arc sl.
lowed tho liberty IT tho enclosure out.
side Of tho jail. In connection with this
subject We an Picard 70 note that the
ptisoners laud their kind treatment ct the
hands Of our very worthy sheriff and bic
deputies, and the abundance, excellency
and cleanliness Of their prison fare. Yomr
Jurors also call the attention Oft pro.
per authorities to the condition Of cur
courthouse. The cupols 10 tho abiding.
place Of
NuxERous PIGEONS,
and fall Of iilth tho shutters being con.
stantly open, thus admitting 1oods Of
water during rainStosms, which pene
trate tho lower lNofs, destroying. tho
plaatsring; tho same nsy b said q tho
''ba1l's eye On tho western side Of the
building, which 10 inclosed, the resalts
Of which are apparent IN tho pEs'se1t con.
dition of the ceiling Of our otherwise
excellent court room. Tho repair Of said
apertures will prevent serio1s injury 70
the building and loos 70 tho public trees.
ury, It attended g promptly. }
VISITING THH OFFICES.
We have visited tho various odleee
within tho building ., 4 viii not content
ourselves With saying they 40 complete
IL their cleanliness, 9osd condition and
to spirit Of order everywhere apparent.
BIT O they 90 - very different Ia every
respect lfoQ what they were 10 ''dsys
l6sg pas," W think It proper to mention
them eepoiatsly. Ofcouroe No can have
nothing % ~ q
TIE RIcokbHR's OFFICE,
- that has long siace been perfection j;
and besides Il would take moce than .
Grand Jury 70 eo6v,lee tho people d
this parish, that our worthy iiieud end
most efficient Officer, Geo " KaaE1sy, u
not tho ut Recorder In tho Stato.
THE sHIllrTS. j.
ofths shsrlirs oiles - a, ~ tAat
n 10 fast approaching. perfectton, ouA -
some Of % have been % tho jury bef6te,
10 have 10 :hesitancy in saving that
there nover was . time In which . lot Of
witnesses could be moro promptly
brought from sll parts Of to pasish,
than has bssn done during the present