The Opelousas courier., 1883-09-08
The Governor and the Land
Office.

loice JuuIclal determination OF the
questions involved in the McEncry con-
tract controversy These rnles were
presented to the Governor fol approval,
and while he promptly informed the
kegister that he had no control over the
administration nf the iegister'- office.
he approved Tue rules adopted. with an
evident view OF aiding in provoking IL
Judicial issue, and to assure the Regis
! ter that he wOnld he sustained in reliey-
ing his office from any possibility of re-
nection brought on its administration
by bis predecessor.
Governor McEnery, during this con
troversy, has held that the act and con-
tract complained of were in operation
when he became Governor, and that
the legality of the scrip issued thereun-
der was a purely judicial question,
which he was forbidden to pass on by
articles II and I5 of the State constiin-
ton.
1t has been alleged that the provisions
OF this contract have proved onerous,
but it must be borne in mind that the
law and the contract in question were
in force dur ng two sessions of the Leg
islature that passed Act 90, and fur
thermOre, that the Senate Committee
on Judiciary, composed of men of excel
lent legal attaiBments, who had made
for themselves patriotic records, inGuir-
ed into this whole matter during the
session Of 1889, aud had produced, for
their examination, full statement of
land recovered and scrip issued under
the contract. A bill was introduced by
the Senator from St. Mary for the repeal
of Act %. The Legislature declined to
repeal the act.
The only responsibility that can be
charged to Gov. $. D. McEBery in this
matter relates to his appointment of
Register Richardson. That appoint
ment was recommended amply, and the
Governor, from personal knowledge Of
the appointment, had reasonable ground
for believing that he was placing The
office in safe hands. The appointment
of Major Richardson was urged bY,
among others, MIR. j. L. Bradford, land
lawyer aud the attorney Of the Houmas
land grant claimants, and Mhose office
has furnished, in the person Of MI. Geo
K. Bradford, a . commissioner Of the
Pieayune, employed, or volunteering.
to work up charges against the tlie Land
Office; r. W Adams, NJ. ellis, e. D.
Willett, L. c. Jurey, j. c. Denis. W. b.
Koontz, H. Doyle, j. H. DeGrange, \.
w. Hyatt, w. NJ. Owen. John Boland.
j. c. Egan, l.. w. Cooper, B. H. For
man, |. T. Moore, Saml II Told, T.. VI.
Lane, j. d, Hill, G. A. sandtord, John
Calder and II. u. Hopkins.
Register Richardson was charged with
having received money in pay ment for
lands, and with having substituted
scrip for the money in making the en-
tries. The Governor called upon him
foi an explanation. The Governor was
informed ht the Register that When
money was received by him, as he was
not legally authorized to receive il, he
had turned it over to II land agent
leaving the impression that The Register
had not proiited by the transaction bur,
nn the contrary. had songht to avoid Il
violation of law Under these circllm-
stances, the Governor made Il public
statement, published under the date of
the fifth vi May. Subsequently, finding
that lie Register had not been frank
with him. the Gorefbol requested liis
resignation. An :. understanding" 10
whici. the Picayane pretends to attach
a bad Importance, was entered into, to
wit: that the resignation should be
rendered AS soon ms the Register finished
the entries of large tracts of lands for
Mr.. Watkins and others, involving the
payment as purchase psice. of over
$780, 900, which entries were tien par
tially completed.
Af,er this it was that the Governor
learned that Register Richardson had
profited BY. the substitution of scrip for
money remitted to him in payment for
lands. The request for resignation was
made peremptory, aud it WIS handed
in, to take effect within Il reasonable
time for finisliing the entries referred
TO. Whether the Governor could have
at once removed an officer in the posi-
ton of the Register is a question now
pending in tie courts, md in the nb-
sence Of positive legal provision upon
the subject, we may reserve the express
sion of opinion.
John McEa.e,y ,rds not the recipient ot
ann Of the money made by substituting
scrip for money at the Registers office.
If any blame can attach to the Gov
ernor for the appointment of Majar
Richardson, he is entitled to the credit
of having appointed to succeed him a
gentleman whose name and record are
beyond reproacll, and who, with the
Governors active aid, is doing all he
can to restore confidence IN the admin
istrafion Of the Office.
Let ms give little candid attention
to this wlleIe matter Sifteall this busi-
ness through; show it 10 every light !;
question every trustworthy source of
authority, and every honest, unpreiu-
diced mind is bonnd to agree to each OF
two plain propositions:
First. Samuel Douglas McEnery is
not responsible for any wrong done in
the late administration of the State
Land Office.
Second. That to charge him with
such responsibility in the absence of
proof OF probability, is wholly uninsti-
fable and reprehensible.
CHATAIeNlER, August %, 1883.
EDIT0Rs or THE COURIER:
notice that in the issueo the CoU-