St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-03-18
General Report of the Grand Jury.

STATE OF LOUISIANA,
Parish of st. Landry.
The Grand Jurors of the State of Louisiana.
Parish of st. Landry, duly impaneled, sworn
and charged to inquire into the conditions oI
the public roads and bridges, and to report
touching the general welfare of the Parish OF
st. Landry, hereby submit the following ft-
port:
PUBLIC ROADS.
We find that Oweing to the long spell OF ram
since winter it has been impossible to keep the
public roads i'll good order, md therefore we
are unable to bring any accr alton OF neglect OF
duty against any of the roo overseers at tins
present time. But respectfully urge the
parochial authorities the absolute necessity OF
immediate action in repairing said roads with
all the forces under their command, and we
deem it proper to suggest the following amend
ments to the road laws:
1st That superintendent or inspector Of
public roads and bridges in the parish OF St
to superintend the working on public roads.
and repairing and building of public buildings,
to see that every road Overseer performs his
Duties and in fact to compel strict enforce
ment of the road laws. and all other such duties
may be ASST gned to him, and fair salary be
allowed him annually for his services.
end. That each road overseer be furnished
with a number of spades and hoes sufficient for
the working of each road and the main roads
to have one scraper, one plough: sad tools I"
remain the property of the parish, in the care
of the respective road Overseers, who shall be
held responsible for the same, end turn them
over to their successors in office at the expira
ton OF their term.
PUBLIC BRIDGES.
We call the attention OF the authorities to the
following bridges which are greatly dilapda-
ted. DANGEROUS, and almost impossible
LIST. The McCrOry bridge on Bayou BHuT.
2nd. Debai!liOn's bridge on the road leading
from Opelousas to Flat Town.
Sd. Callihan's bridge on the road leading from
OpelOusas to Bellevue.
4th Bridge on Bayou Marie Croquent on the
road from OpelOusas to Port Barre passing
through the Belmont plantation.
5th. The crossing at Wybe's bridge.
PUBLIC JAIL.
We are unable to make any report on the
public Jail, as at the present, a new one Is being
constructed. and we hereby fully approve and
endorse the action OF our Police Jury i'll this
matter, asreeably to the several reports OF the
preceding grand juries who had repeatedly
recommended the building of a new Jail.
PUBLIC MEASURES.
Whereas the farming interests in the Parish
OF st. Landry have OF late years made such
rapid progress, and considering the heavy
| costs and expenses required to build fences and
enclosures for the cultivation OF our lands
under existing laws, and considering the fur
ther fact that at least Onl-half of the cOstS and
expenses would be curtaled, and planters re
| lieved of heavy burden by the enactment of
| an ordinance prohibiting the running OF hogs
at large i'll our parish. We deem it our duty to
| recommend to our Legislative Body to enact
such an ordinance, for those localities OF our
| Parish, where almost every available acre of
land is under cultivation. Their action not to
| be based upon petitions or counter petitions.
but to act for every locality where they are
| satisfied that public interest demands it. By
| the enactment OF such an ordinance our Police
| Jury acting unuer act no. S. of the General As
| sembly passed April 1st $780, could very easily
modify the conditions now required to cOnStl
| tute lawful fence or enclosure and relieve our
planters of great trouble, annoyance and costs
| We find from the experience OF the past
that all laws in existence relative to hogs, even
| within those limits prescribed by the ordinance
| have not been remedy to the evils but only a
| source of trouble and grievances between
| h.,fr tot
ing a crop. is delivered to the constable OF the
| ward. is mponnded, damages are assessed.
witnesses are called, a trial is had, the hog is
| sold far below the amount OF damages and
| COSTS and the parties, plaintiff and defendant
are left in court, contesting who must pay the
balance due, giving the following result: one
! farmer lOOsing his crop, the other lOOsing his
hogs. other parties reapinS the benefit thereof
We have submitted the above illustration for
the purpose OF showing the absolute necessity
! of a change in the existing ordinances.
| Your Grand Jurors find that in some instan-
ces some OF the magistrates III the parish OF st.
| Landry have, we suppose through error,
abused and transcribed the powers granted to
them by Section 900. Revised Statutes of the
State of Louisiana, authOrising Il compromise
| in certain criminal cases. We therefore re-
| commend to all our Justices of the Peaoeof the
Parish of ST. Landry, to submit all such com
promises to the District Attorney or ~ the
Grand Jury for approval, before compromise is
| made final.
| In conclusion we hereby recommend the
| strict enforcement OF the laws relative to game
| and deer, for at the present time, OH account
| of the overlooked districts, deer are driven
| from their range, and if not protected by law,
| are left to the mercy of sportsmen and hunters.
| We also recommend the strict enforcement
and execution of all laws relative LIST to bank
| ing houses, banking games aud gambling. Cd
To the prohibition of the sale OF intoxicating
| LIQUORS to minors Sd, The carrying of conceal
ed weapons 4th. The laws applicable to va
| grants And we urge upon the District AttOr-
| ney the necessity OF our recommendations in
this report for upon the enforcement OF the
laws above alluded to depends the peace, well
| fare and prosperity OF our community.
| Respectfully submitted.
Ls stage,
| Foreman of the Grand Jury.
FERREOL PERRODIN, District Attorney.
Filed March II, 1882,
B. F. MCKINLEY, Deputy Clerk
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Parish of st. Landry.}
I BENJAMIN F. Meginley, Deputy Clerk. 18Th
Judicial District Court in and for the parish OF
st. Landry, do hereby certify that the above
and foregoing is ii true and correct copy IRON
fine original report of the Grand Jury on file
and of record in my office.
In testimony whereof, have herenntO signed
and affixed the official seal of my office. at Ope
lOusas this 18th day of March, A. D.. 1882.
lI~l b. F. MEGINLEY,
| SEAL Deputy Clerk.
81 wv 18th Judicial District Court St
II Landry Parish, State of Louisiana