St. Landry democrat., 1883-05-26
The Act SO Grab Exposed by
the State Senate Committee.
[Picayune, May 1Oth.l

| (Picayune, May 10TH
Elsewhere we give the report of the
committee appointed at the last session
of the Legislature to investigate the
funding operations under ''act 93D OF
| form this task have faithfully adhered to
| their duty, and, disagreeable though it
must have been to them, have laid be-
fore the people of the State document
that will cause profound sensation.
The mannerin which this act was car
ried out has been generally commented
on by the press, and the truth IS pretty
we'll known to the people OF New Or
leans. The clear and direct manner in
which the facts are officially stated by
the committee, and the nature OF the
charges made are SO clearly explained
that the voters of Louisiana will have
no difficulty in reaching a thorough
comprehension of the wrongs that have
been inflicted upon the taxpayers under
this now famous law 3't *s
In the first place it will be noticed
that the board which carried out this
act and the parties charged with having
run in bogus claims We're among the
principal officers of the State. The
Governor presided, the Auditor was
Vice President, the Secretary OF State
was Secretary, aud the Attorney. Gene
raj was a participant in the grab, and
therefore a party to the scheme to use
the courts as instruments in carrying
ont the plans of the ring. The picture
thus drawn OF the highest officers OF the
Commonwealth lnaugurating an adj
ministration by a raid upon the Treas
ury is sad to contemplate. Not only
a r. h u. IN
mouth accounts against the State to the
extent of hundreds of thousands of dol
lars without any proofs whatever, but
they invoked the aid of court of JUS
tice in order to give a shadow OF sane
ton to the claims, and with the same
instrument close the door against all
others who might have had rights.
Well may the Senate committee say the
junta shut out all Except special
friends
sa The whole manner and method of
procedure by this board shuts out all
excavations. 1t was Il straigl,tout
wrong from beginning to end, and
nothing better can be made OF it. Even
the simple though grossly negligent
plan OF issuing certificates for the
claims, was not carried out. Even that
was abandoned in the hurry to carry
through the grab, and put the final seal
upon the spoliation. Claims were au-
dited in ten minutes, that any board of
public functionaries, having an eyeA to
their own regulations, would not have
sanctioned, except after weeks OF close
examination by experts, and when it is
considered that those claims We're not,
as charged by the committee, support
ed by proof OF anyssind, or even item
lied, we do not ses what justification
can be suggested. That the Attorney Gen
eral should have, after presenting ques-
ton able claims to the board, permitted
the successful execution of the design
to close the courts against any investi-
cation OF. the proceedings and debar all
but the chosen few, will certainly des-
troy all confidence in him as the gal
guardian OF the peoples rights. That
he should have permitted any wrong
against the State OF which he was cog
INFANT to be ,consummated, would be
bad enough, but to join in the scheme
is outrageous to the last degree.
And there rises in the midst Of this
picture the spectre of Alcee
the defaulting and fugitive
sheriff, and we can realize now why the |
officers OF the State made no effort to |
have him arrested and prosecuted, |
though he was within reach long after
bis shortcomings were fully estab-
lished. With the despair of a. drown
ing man he was catching at these GER
tificates to bridge over his troubles, and
save him from the gulf he saw yaWpine
ahead. And he found cordial abettors,t
His long account of 1923, 900 was ratified
through without question. The nature
IT that account is intimated by the
Well may the committee on their
showing OF facts pronounce this a
scheme brilliantly conceived and sue
,essfully executed vying with those Of
Radical days. And in the meantime
what are the people OF tie State GOING
o do about it? What estimate will
hey form of the yet secret history Of
IN administration that has deyeloned
UGH ontrages as the TACT 90 Crab, and
he ''McEnery Land Grab.n These are
pecimen bricks, and from them can he.
Ormed some idea. of what has NOT vet
'een developed. Those who want
acts and specific charges to supnort
he demand for complete reform of
he Democratic party of the State. have L
hem at hand now, and they are likely
0 get more.
st. Martinsville is a good place to
i've in according to the Observer nf
hat town. Here are the names Of I,
ONE of the citizens who agree with the
,ditor.
Father Marie Ange Jan. SO years.
Widow Theodule Bienvenu, 81 years.
Charles Olivier SO years.
A. P. Fournet, 81 years. /
Jules Beauvais So years. i,
Grosbois, SO years. Is
Caroline Larbletler, 80 years.
M. Bernard (col.) 104 years,