The Opelousas courier., 1894-11-03
A Lamentable State of Affairs,

In the general report of tho grand
Jury which we published last week, the
following passages occnr, which show
tnat a most lamentable condition OF
things exists in various portions of this
parish:
me Grand Jury would respectfully report
mat there exists a state Of lawlessness in Ger
tam sections OF this parish, TO which they con
celve it to be their duty to call the esDecial ut
tention Of this Court, in order that the law Of
hcers OF this parish may take such steps as may
pe legally necessary 10 promptly suppress these
violations of law.
The evidence brought to our attention proves
tlat within the last three months armed bands
OF Wnite men have been c~Ongregating in bodies
IN various portions Of this parish, and have been
rldiDS around the country both day and night,
ana IN various ways committing attractions OF
the public peace.
The evidence ELECTED shows that several col
ored persons have been taken by these lawless
people from their homes and brutally whipped
and otherwise ill-treated for no offense disclos-
ed against them; whist Others have been COM
being billed.
In some OF these cases We have been unable
70 elicit sufficient testimony to justify us in
nndlng true bills against the supposed guilty
parties, while in many cases, owing to intimi-
datlon practisedu upon those against whom these
outrages have been committed, they have been
lntlmldated from testifying before us.
The outcome OF this series of Outrages has
Deen that several col0red people have been
compelled to abandon their homes and crops,
and are afraid to return for fear of their lives
or the inttictiOn Of other bodily harm.
We regret to be constrained to report that
much OF this lawlessness could have been pre-
vented and avoided by a proper performance
of their duties On the part Of the magistrates
ana constables living in those sections. The
evidence in all OF the cases that we have ex-
a!mlned shows "a criminal derelictiOn Of duty on
the part OF these magistrates and cOnstables,
and in several cases the proof goes to show that
even aftidavits against the guilty parties have
been suppressed with the conniyance OF these
Officers, while still in other cases these very Off
GERS have been guilty OF cOnsenting to the COM
promising and compromising Of these felonies
by and between the criminals and the parties
against whom these crimes had been committed.
We further regret to be compelled to report
that some Of these magistrates and constables
have even gone so far as to collect illegal fees in
cases where these crimes have been cOmprO-
missed between the parties.
1t is the intention of.this Grand Jury at some
future meeting to make a more thorough and
cases where the evidence will justify it, the
guilty parties will be presented for trial at the
bar of public justice.
We further beg leave to report that our inves-
legations in many cases have fully disclosed
the fact that the magistrates and constables ia
several sections OF the parish have even lent
themselves to the unlawful purpose OF threav-
ening and intimidatlngp parties accused of crime
with a view OF extOrting a confession Of guilt.
We instance some of these many violations of
law and derelictions of duty on the part of off,
SSAS "AooO oWoi o"ey ~ A. ~ ChiolSC niN
maintain law, in order that the officers charged
with the administration of justice in the par
ish of st. Landry will take heed that such Grim
inals be brought to Justice.
In all such cases where the evidence before
us justified it, We have found indictments, and
the parties now stand accused before your
court for trial. In many other cases however,
while the evidence, as brought to our atlen-
ton as to the condition OF things hereinabOve
to. has not been sufficient to authorize
the initiation OF prosecutions against these par
ties. the evidence however, raises a strong pre-
OF guilt.
1t is 4 matter Of sincere regret that
the grand inquest were unable to dis
cover sufficient evidence to warrant the
Of any Of the parties guilty
Of the bull-dozing outrages referred to
except in one case-perhaps, but they
promise to investigate these matters
again at their next sitting, and if q
healthy public sentiment can be aroused
the terrorized neighborhoods by that
such action will doubtless be
by the authorities as will prompt
and effectually stamp nj all such
harmful, suicidal and disgraceful meth