St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-06-06
A POLITICAL ADVENTURES
Who Dipped the Farmers into Giving
Him an Office, and then Prosis-
tuted EHiInself.

Everybody in this parish will remember one
T. Adam Clayton, crstwhiie resident OF TINS
parish, but now !: member Of the State Board
OF Health and general agent for the purchase
of supplies for use of the farming element i'll
the State, with headquarters i'll the city of
New Orleans. Whilst IL may be that some OF
our people may be unfamiliar with him we are
satisfied that the yeomanry of this parish be-
longing to the Alliance all know him.
He was by them selected as a leader in this
parish some two years ago, almost efore the
ink covering the Judgment OF naturalization
admitting him 10 citizenship had been dried,
and from such IA beginning he worked himself
into securing from their order l>t, the office
of agent for the purchase OF supplies aforesaid
and I'd, i'll becoming a member of the Board of
Health The writer OF this article always look
ed rpon Clayton as an advcnturer and a dan
gerous and dishonest one at that; dangerous
in this, that he possessed high educational adj
yantages which were calculated to invest him
with the leadership OF the people whom lie
proposed to represent and defend; and possess
ed of tho INSCRIPTIONS nature WHICH charac.
terized his conduct here While aincns us, ana
which stands out in bold relief under the
searching investigation OF tie Grand Jury OF
the parish OF Orle ais while investigating the
aughtCrlOuSe Scandal
This report is too lengthy for reproduction
here, but we must for the purpose OF showing
that our intent is not to SANDER Mr. Clayton
reproduce extracts bearing upon this partcu
lar act: Referring to this matter, the report
reads as follows:
Toward the close Of the term sensation OF
startling proportions was developed through
the columns OF the daily papers i'll the publca
ton Of interviews with several parties aSsOca
ted in the new slau ghterl0uSe company.
The subject was presented to the jury by the
attorney general OF the State, who conducted
the examination of numerous witnesses during
the exhaustive enquiry. The workings of the
whole scheme were exposed, extending from
its incpiency, through all the minute details
of its progress. down. to tho closing act when
the disclosures were made. Testimony was
freely rendered by all parties interested
charges and countercharges of violated pledges
| and corrupt bargains were plainly stated past
friendships seemed changed into burning
hatreds with the accusations each side OF the
controversy made against the other.
The project OF . new slaughter house COM
pauy was skllfully devised and is shown to
nave taken shape several months ago. The
evidence submitted in this enquiry establishes
the full intention of the projectors, as the sum
Of 2,7O0 was paid April 20, 1891, being, 10 OF
the purchase price agreed upon for the land
on which the buildings were to be erected for
the slaughtering of cattle.
The amended ordinance was passed by the
City Council April 81, 1891 the concurrence OF
the Board Of Health was essential to the sue
cesSful operation Of the scheme, under the law
that body being clothed with the special power
of determining its prOpriety and all the SAM
tary questions inSepdraDle from the operations
of slaughterhouses.
About this time an Intermediary appeared
upon the scene claiming from the announced
promoters a written recognition to the extent
is claimed by friends and representatives of
two prominent members OF the Board of
Health that demand was cOnCurred i'll as evil
denced by the written compact in our posses
sion, signed in duplicate by five parties.
we may add that the original paper or form
was drafted by one of the two members of the
Board Of Health to whom reference IS made.
The course of affairs did not meterialize as ill.,
tended or expected at the meeting Oft he board
held May 14th last, and hence the develOpe-
ments which have followed.
While no criminal intention may have been
entertained by any OF the parties concerned in
the creation of the new slaughter house COM
pany, the evidence abounds with acts plainly
in violation Of public policy and morality; but
unfortunately the statute which would indicate
the remedy for such transactions fails to meet
the facts and circumstances OF the matter we
have Investigated, or to crystalize them into @
defined Offense, and where the statute undOubt-
edly would apply, we find that no penalty has
been prescribed, rendering its provisions of no
effect whatever.
This is the decision of eminent legal author.
tiles which the Grand jury cannot overthrow:
We must impress ON the next Legislature that
some remedy he enacted to meet the acts of all
parties connected in such disgraceful affairs.
1t is also clearly established that the two Otfi-
GERS connected with the Board OF Health, to
whom we have already referred, entered ao-
lively into the stock market; that their specu-
lations were matters OF public rumor and the
various changes in slaughternouse stock from
the time the ordinance was first introduced up
to the eve OF the final vote show how seriously
this speculation was recognized. This fact was
admitted by them, and the dates and extent Of
transactions confirmed to us III all their details;
this buying and selling was admitted to be for
the prospective speculative gains, and not as
investments. It must be remembered that this
is NOT only case OF an official speculating in
such securities, but of officials whose Votes de-
terlnined and fxed the actual and LEGAL exis-
tence of a slaughterhouse enterprise.
TO say the least, there appears a disregard Of
the moral attributes that should mark every
of 0f la DuSIneSS
as to distinguish those holding positions of
trust and honor by appointment from the gov
ernor, and this reference would be far too mild
q condemnation.
AS a result the private citizen must be remit
ted to his own conscience
We have advised the Attorney General to
present to the Governor the facts of this mat
ter that he may take such steps as will lead to
a vindication of the law and the publication of
the public service.
One remarkable feature of this document is
that it is quite masterpiece of adroitness In
avoiding calling names; but notwithstanding
this fact every newspaper reader knows that
Mr. Clayton was one OF the two knaves who
had in writing prostituted tile high duties of
their Office by agreeing to accept considera-
tien for their votes, and who engaged in buy
ing and selling the stock which was dependent
upon the result of their votes.
These acts place Linn before the people of the
State as man unworthy OF the confidence OF
the people he represents, unworthy OF the Of
nee 10 loidS; ana a NJ suDecL JOE cOnul9n
punishment, which he is fortunate enough to
escape, because of the hiatus in the law falling
to provide for the prosecution of such cases.
The unttness of Mr.. Clayton for holding this
office being shown, what is going to be done
about It'll Will our Governor remove him? If
not are the farming element, Eho recommended
his appointment and upon whose recommends
ton the same was made, going to remain mac
tive9 Will they who seek to reform the ways
Of the politician and Office seeker, remain dumb
and condone the act OF their public servant
We trust not. We believe that when knowledge
Of these facts is brought home to them, they
will as man from the Arkansas line to the
tical adventurer and arrant knaye who
brought corruption aud venality into the
hi oh 0ffcn TO which they had elevated him