Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-16
WAS THE JURY INTIMIDATED?
Some Suggestions Concerning the Case Fro
New Orleans Man

Some Suggestions Concerning the Case From
Anew Orleans Man.
A gentleman who is native of New Orleans
and who is perfectly familiar with the people
there, and also with the political troubles that
they have had and the excitement that has
been caused, said to a STAR reporter this morn
ing:
I'm seasons of political excitement it Is of
the greatest interest TO all concerned that oe-
currences, especially those of q tragic charac-
ter and resulting in bloodshed and temporary
disorder and defiance of law should not be
judged harshly at first. The real facts
should be known and the actual situation
understood in order that any fair or
reasonable criticism OF the community NAV
be reached. As to this terrible affair at
New Orleans it ought to be borne in mind
that ii is the last far. of long line of civil
feuds and political tragedies, and it is impossi-
BILE for any one not well informed with the con-
dition of things political well as social.
which have existed for a long time in New
Orleans and in the state of Louisiana to real
ize what has just taken place there. But for
one acquainted with the community il is the
natural result Of what has gone before.
IN my opinion the verdict of acquittal
brought in by the jury the result of fear
for their own and their families lives and
safety rather than the result of pecuniary COR
fuptiOu VI II may wei De salQ
that some of the less scrupulous jurors
may have been approached by the
fiXer, but no doubt the large proportion
Of the jury acquiesced in the result
from a sense of apprehension to their own
safety in the event that verdict of guilty had
been brought in against any or all Of the ac-
cused. 1t is generally believed that the jurors
as well members of the committee of safety
had received threatening communications from
the Malta and other unknown writer's.
IA -
made to give to this affair an international or
race aspect. The individuals who were ar
raigned and subsequently executed outside the
forms Of law were in both instances proceeded
against purely and simply individuals
charged with assassination and conspiracy to
continue the work Of assassination subject to
the orders Of secret and murderous organiza-
ton. and without any reference whatever as to
whether they were Americans. Italians, French
men, Englishmen or Dagoes.
Il think the public may rest assured that
whatever Is in the future Gen. Nichols will do
his full duty to maintain order and to restore
quiet. But the functions of a governor of a
state must not be misapprehended Primarily
it is the duty and Office Of the mayor and coun-
cilmer Of the city OF New Orleans to re-
the character of Mayor Shakespeare and
his associates it may be assumed that
they will discharge the burden which has been
imposed upon them in this emergency. 1t is
"
with the offenses and disturbance of the peace
for which the comparatively few hundred or
possibly Thousands Of men have assumed the
responsibility.
''It is asserted that nearly all the victims, al
though bearing foreign names, we're citizens of
the United States, either by birth or yb nat
uralization, and it is not yet established as q
fact that single one was at the time of his
death Of foreign nationality.
''The leaders and actors in the capture Of the
prison and the terrible execution Of the Dagoes
are well known to me and are ordinarily citi-
gems Of the most orderly and law-abiding char
acter. They had all been threatened with
death in anonymous communications from
Malta, and the impulse under which they acted
was that Of self-preservation. The acquittal By
the jury meant to them failure Of regular
methods and the proclamation Of immunity
from assassination, which would continue"
To SERVE IN TIE GkRnAx ARxr.-The acting
Secretary Of War has detailed Lieut.. Powhatan
H. Clarke, tenth cavalry, TO special duty with
the second westphalian hussars Of the i'm
perial German army for the purpose Of study
ing the German cavalry service. The detail Is
made by invitation Of the German government.
Lieut.. Clarke, having made study Of the cav
airy branch Of the ssrvics, Il regarded - spe-