The state capital., 1891-05-09

ganization styled "Ma1a" The evidence
comes from several sources, fully competent
In themselves to attest its truth, while the
facts are supported by the long record of
blood d-curdlng crime, it being almost i'm
possible to discover the perpetrators or Sc
cure witnesses.
We are so deeply impressed with the facts
of the case as partially summarized in the
foregoing that the moral conviction is forced
upon us that some Of the jurors, empan eled
to try the accused on the charge of assas-
sination of the late chief of police, were SUBJ
ject TO money influence to control their de-
cision. Further than this we may say it ap-
pears certain that at least three, if not more
Of that jury were so unduly and unlawfully
controlled. Some Of the jurors themselves
have testified in most emphatic terms that
if it had not been for the persistent and
welIdirected efforts of three of the jury
men, most conspicuous from the time that
body was impaneled. that the verdict would
have been materially different from that
rendered
We have engaged ourselves most assidu--
ously with the examination of a large num-
Der of Witnesses, embracing those who were
present at the meeting on the street in the
vicinity of the parish prison, as we'll as sew
eral hundred of onr fellow citizens taken
from every rank and class of society. 1t is
shown in the evidence that the gathering on
Saturday morning, March IA, embraced sew
eral thousand of the first, best and even the
most law abiding of the citizens of this city,
assembled, as the right of American citizens
is, to discuss in public meeting questions of
grave import.
We find a general sentiment among the
witness cs, and also in our intercourse with
the people, that the verd ict as rendered by
the jury was contrary to the law and the
evidence, and secured mainly through the
designing and unscrupulous agents en-
ployed for the special purpose Of defeating
the ends of Justice. At that meeting the de-
termination was shown that the people
could not submit to the surrender of their
rights into the hands of midnight assaS-
sins and their powerful allies. The assassin
alton of the late chief of police shows the
elimination of a conspiracy Has death was
deemed necessary to prevent the exposure
and punishment of criminals whose guilt
was being fast established by his diligent
pursuit. The condition of affairs in this
community as to certain class of violators
of the law had reached such stage that
the law itself was weil-nigh powerless to
deal with them SO far reaching
was their power and Influence in
the trial of criminal cases that good
citizens were profoundly impressed by the
repeated and signal failure of justice. The
arts Of the perjurcr and briber seemed to
dominate in the courts, paralyZing and 1en-
dering pOwerlesS the ends of justice. Ger
tainly this was a desperate situation. The
public meeting above referred to was gen
eral ani spontaneous in its character, as
truly indicating an uprising of the masses.
We doubt if any power within the command
of the officers would have been sufficient to
overcome its intentions.
Evidence is before us from official sources
that eleven persons were killed in the attack
on the parish prison. In the careful exam.
ination as to citizenship of those men, we
find that eight of them were beyond ques
ton American citizens, and another had
'declared his intention in this court" which
act carries with it the remuneration of
allegiance to his native country.
1t is a noteworthy fact in connection with
the uprising that no injury whatever was
done to either person or property beyond
this one act, which seemed to be the object
of the assemblage at the parish prison. We
have referred to the large number of citi-
zens participating in this demonstration,
and estimated by judges at from six
thousand to eight thousand, as a
spontaneous uprising of the people. The
magnitude of this affair makes it difficult
task to fix guilt upon any number of the par
Elephants. In fact the act seemed to involve
the entire people of the parish and the city
of New Orleans, so profuSe is their sympa-
thy and extended their connection with the
affair. In view of these considerations, the
thorough examination of the subjects failed
to disclose the necessary facts to Justify this
grand jury in presenting indictments.
Respectfully submitted
w. IL. CHAFFEE, Foreman.
And George III. Nennard. ID. II. Graham, O.
Carriere David Stuart, G.. A. Hogsette, Jr.
T. w. Castleman, L. Gauche, w. l.. Saxon,
G. C. Lafaye, A. s. Ranlett John A. Jack
son, Fl. Haller, Paul J. Christian, w. q.
I ,I1..rI In l. off,