St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-08-25
Governor of Louisiana.
THE LAND GRAB AND ITS ELIMINATION.
Picayune.

THE LAND GRAB AND IT'S ELIMINATION.
Pieayune.
The Picayune on Sunday last came
ont with Il full expose OF the culmina-
tion of the McEnery land grab, showing
how during the last month of the ten
ure of Richardson, tAss tool of the land
ring of which the .eeSvernor's brother
was the head, had located 1850 acres
of the best land in the State to COM
pensate for supposed services.
When the land grab was first brought
| fully before the people they little
dreamed that it had been determined to
place the scrip outstanding, to fasten
upon the soil of Louisiana spurious
Titles, and lay the matter in a shape
that needed excuses and subsequent
| legal remedies.
We regret exceedingly that the acting
| Governor of Louisiana has been com.
nelled at this late day to come forward
and take position that is humiliating
| TO all good citizens. He has now direc-
| the Attorney General to take steps to
| test the validity of the Land Contract
and see whether it is fraud upon the
people. After it has been carried to its
| fullest extexsl and every acre of scrip
outstanding las been placed, the Gov
| ernor, in the teat of a campaign, real
| ICES his posibSS5n, and under spur, takes
an honest step he should have taken
| before.
| But why did he not take it before ?
The facts were PLACID before the peo-
pie of the State bhalhe Picayune. 1t
was, of coure, perst AAl and vindictive
exposure coming from a journal not of
the ring. But, we think the people of
the State have heard and understood
our protest against this sham admins
tration of State affairs that awaits its
damnation before it hears the voice of
the public.
We are ready to concede Gov. Nc
Emery small praise for coming forward
at this date and demanding of the At
/ torney General to institute suit to stop
at once the execution OF contract Of
| which the Governors brother was the
principal beneficiary. We have calmly
awaited the Judgment of the people of
i Louisiana on this land Contract, and
have finally placed before them tile
| proceedings. back ~ the curtain OF
which they knew nsc hing.
grounds to shut the stable door. The
/ horses are all gone. Brother John has
i placed all his scrip, he is under no bond
to the State to reconp anybody, and it
/ is now in order to annul things, and
fleece the innocent victims that have
been lured into the purchase OF this
scrip, through its recognition by the
authorities.
/ There is at least one solid advantage
about campaign. 1t makes reformers
4 of all elements, and we are satisfied
that the Governor has at least seen the
error of his brothers ways and gone III
seriously to unload.
The Capitolian- Advocate gets hume
rous on the subject. We had though
. II was too serious to joke about thu
matter. It asks why the Picayune die
not enter suit to stop the robbing of thu
Treasury.
J Yes, that is a good platform-for til,
ring. IF you discover any robbery, stol
it if YOU can by law. Get us into Oh,
Penitentiary and we will recognize
your grip. Is that what we are asked
ICY GU take charge Of the State and re
form all the rascality you see in it, an.
we will get the credit for running th
! honest part OF it." That is sound posi-
ton for ring organ to take. Say t
!, thg people-.'You do not know us unit
we are found out, and after you find Il
out you must prove 1t IN court; we ar
: all honest men and no matter what soI
! of damaging. statements you make It
, only personal assault on us, and for pc
litical effect
Well, the Picayune realizes the situa
tion and will deal with 1t accordingly
A. M. Winfree, merchant at Leesvill
Z in Vernon parish, was shot and killed