St. Landry democrat., February 23, 1878, Image 1

About St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894

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ST. LANDRY DEMOCRAT.
KAVANAGH, Editor.
M. D.
"terms for subscription.
„ „ . ND fifty C ents a year, in ad
0* E D The year can be begun at any time, as
Mt^two nutnbers of the paper make a years
subscription
AGENTS OF THE DEMOCRAT:
~ Barre's Landing
D. P. Salzan - - - - Bayou Chicot
Capt.San'. Haas V u)e plate
J. J. Hicks T}i«r Cane
Leopold G ^cbaux Church vil te
Abraham Ru liarrt - - fetii Prairie
1> , r * J ' iv^fi worth " Washington
S e "?', ÎSra Grand Coteau
Mentor Andrup pjaqueiuine Bruleé
Foreman & Duson i Merme)lto
Andrew Henry
T C. Chachere
Jos Fabacber
j. D. Bernard—•>—
E. C. Roger
b. 9. ( ^ a> g t ' e " t "
The geutlemen above named are <«ur agents
and as sucli requested to solicit subscriptions.
M. D. KAVANAGH,
Editor.
Prud'homme City
Fabacber P. O
poupevi'.le
Arnaud ville
■; Bayou Bœuf
Lake Charles
OPELOUSAS, SATURDAY, FEBBl'AKV *23, 1878.
Constitutional Amendments.
We published in our last the proposed
amendments to the Constitution of the
State. These amendments were pro
posed by a joint committee of the Sen
ate and House, composed of Messrs.
E. D. White, Chairman, C. J. Boatner,
F C. Zacharie, Frank P. Stubbs. Henry
L. Garland, F. S. Goode, A. Dumont,
C. B. Wheeler, T. B. Stamps on the
part of the Senate, and Messrs. T. B.
Lyons, R. J. Walker, J. B. McGehee,
Johu Young. W. M. Washburn, D. A.
Breard, Jr., B. F. Jonas, Albert Voor
hies, VV. H. Wise, A. H. Leonard and
Gracieu and Drury on the part of the
House. All signed the report save
the li st three named, as will be seen
the joint committee includes some of
the leading lawyers of the State and
undoubtedly embodies as much capacity
and fitness for the work as would be
apt to be found in a constitutional con
vention were one called. The com
mittee in making their report estimate
the reduction in governmental expenses
which will be made by the amendments,
il adopted, at $250,000 yearly or half the
sum annually placed to the creditof the
general fund.'
These amendments passed the Senate,
almost without discussion and with only
one additional amendment. The com
mittee reporting them was composed of
one-fourth of the Senate. Ihey
Lad had ample time to discuss them in
committee, and we for one see no rea
son why any prolonged discussion should
Jiave followed tlieir adoption by the
Senate. If discussion were shortened
in both branches of the Legislature, on
all questions the taxpayers would cer
tainly be benefitted. In committee is
the proper place to discuss questions
coming before either House and we
may rest assured that with such men on
the committee as Garland, Goode, Boat
ii«r. White, Stubbs, Lyousand Wheeler,
no one of the proposed amendments was
adopted without, thorough discussion-.
In the House the amendments were
taken up on Monday and it is evident
we think that the House will pass
nearly all of them adding certain other
amendments. On the 14th Mr. Leeds
proposed an amendment which was
adopted almost unanimously. It pro
hibits the General Assembly, after
the year 1878, from buying any tax over
one percent for all State purposes.
It limits the city to a tax of one
and a half per cent on the actual cash
„ val nation of real and personal property.
No parish or municipal corporation,
(New Orleans excepted) shall collect
a tax in excess of one per cent. The
General Assembly is prohibited from
issuing bouds for auy purpose, coipora
tions and parishes are prohibited from
issuing bonds or creating a debt.
Ab our readers will see by reference
to our last issue, where the amendments
are published in extenso, the contem
plated amendments make reduction in
the salaries of all officers from Gover
nor down. They provide for biennial
sessions of the Legislature, and for pay
ing the members a salary instead of the
per diem now allowed; prohibit the
Legislature from special legislation in
' all cases when the end can be attained
by general legislation, cut down the
Governors salary to $7000; the Lieu
tenant Governor's to $1000 ; Auditor of
Public Accounts and Treasurer's to
$4000; Secretary of State's to $3000;
Superintendent of Public Educatiou to
:$8500 ; prohibit officers whose salary is
flxed by the Constitution from receiving
•ay fees or perquisites, restores as near
ly ns possible the judicial system ex
isting previous to 1868, abolishing the
Parish Courts, and providing for Dis
trict Courts, Supreme Courts and Jus
tices of the Peace ; fixes the salaries of
Judges of the Supreme Court as follows
Chief Justices, $7000, and Associate
Justices at $6500; District Judges, of
whom there shall not be less than 10
nor mors than 30 ; salaries to be fixed
J>y law and not be less than $2500 per
annC m ; abolishes article 132 of Consti
tution of 1868and prohibits license taxes
being imposed on any mechanical trade
manufactory or factory except such as
may be required by public regulations
in town aud cities,
In order to prevent an interregnum id
the judicial system the General Assem
bly which meets next January is re
quired to redistrict the State provide
for authority of Cletks and criminal
jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace»
and then the Governor is required to
order an election for Judges, District
Attorneys, &c., whose terms of office
shall expire in November, 1880.
< As stated in our first issue three modes
offamending the Constitution were
open to the Legislature : 1st. By calling
a convention ; 2d. By remitting the sub
ject matter of the formation of a new con
stitution to a select committee to be
elected by the Senate and House or 3d
by proposing amendments two-thirds
of the Houses concurring to be sub
mitted to the people for adoptiou at the
next general election in November, 1878,
The 1st method was open to many, and
serious objections, principal amongst
which was its expense to the over-taxed
people of the State. No one supposes
it would bave çoet les« fcîiaa 1300,000 to
MWUCC
VOLUME 1.
OPELOUSAS, LA., SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1878.
NU3SBER (>.
have assembled such a body ; and when
assembled, i.o one can tell what sort of
an organic law it would have given us.
It is true, every parish in the State
boasted an army corps of constitution
makers, but when they had met our
opinion, is that they would have fur
nished a beautiful illustration of the
old saying, " too many cooks spoil the
broth." The combined wisdom of the
concern, would have been so great,
nothing could ever have been agreetfto,
worth anything to the people. Besides
it would have necessitated a double
election this year, one of which would
have come off in April or May, with all
its attendant excitements and demor
alization of the labor aud agricultural
interests of the State would have re
vived and reinvigorated issues, now
rapidly passing away; would have
shelved the Nicholls government and
with it the wise and coucliatory course
inaugurated by its head in assuming
tliereiii8of government in Louisiana.
The secoud method was effectually
killed the day it was introduced into
the Legislature by Gov. Halin. When
lie proposed to put Packaid and Lude
liug on his committee he threw a wet
blanket over it, which caused it to fall
still born.
The 3d method or the one adopted by
the Legislature, obviates all the objec
tions to which the other two are subject.
Demagogues may talk about the Legis
ature usurping authority to make a
oiistitution. It has done nothing of
the sort. Strictly in accordance with
the provisions of the constitution, it
has proposed certain amendments of
the organic law to the people for their
ratification. They can reject them or
they can adopt them. They will adopt
them iu our opionion by an overwhelm
ing majority and then Louisiana will
have a good constitution as auy con
vention would have given her. It is
true some will object to these amend
ments, because for instance the Louis
iana lottery company's charter is not
abrogated. Well, if Howard has done
all he is charged with doing, he ought
to be sent to the penitentiary and by
due process of law flie charter of his
company should be forfeited ; but we
see no need of the States spending two or
three hundred thousand dollars in hold
ing a convention to get rid of him and
his pestiferous lottery, when the proper
application of the criminal laws of the
State would do it just as effectually. A
better way still would be to send men
to the Legislature whom he couldn't
bribe ; and who would put him before
a grand jury every time be attempted it.
There are certain things which a con
stitution can never remedy and bribery
and corruption are amongst these; bo
also is larceny and burglaiy and mur
der, but a fearless Judge and District
Attorney aided and assisted by a good
jury can suppress, if not effectually
squelch them. As to the cry of the
country press for a convention it is all
bosh. We judge other parishes by our
own. We vote about 7000 votes iu St.
Landry, yet we venture to assert, that
the questiou of convention or no con
vention, is one that not three hundred
people in the parish have ever thought
about, and we know if the question
were submitted to them for a popular
vote, as to whether we should have a
convention with its increase (if taxa
tion, its double election, its turning out
the " ins," and putting in the " outs," or
whether we should avoid all this and
adopt the amendments, the hitter would
receive eight votes out of ten. We
have got taxes enough to pay this year
without piling up any more. We shall
recur to this subject again, and as soon
as the House adopts the amendments
we will publish them again as modi
fied by the House.. We say vote for
these amendments apd adopt them.
All this sentementalism about hold
ing a convention, we can indulge in
when we get the money to pay for it» o,t
present i t is a luxury we caq't a fford.
As will be seen by the following ex
tract from the New Orleans Democrat
of the 15th, Capt. Kenison will soon re
enter our trade with a new boat. The
Captain is a special favorite with out
people, and we hope his misfortunes
are now euded and that with his new
boat he may restore the severe losses
he has met with in losing the Lessie
in
Taylor:
Sale of the Fanchon .—Capt. T. C.
Sweeney has sold the Fanchon to Lapt.
M. Kenison, the price, we heard, being
$18,000. Capt. Keuison has bought her
for the purpose of putting her in the
Atchafalaya trade in place of the Les
sie Taylor, and will tun her there as
long as there is water. The Fanchon
is a good steamboat, not over two years
old, and has been successful wherever
she lias run. She has excellent cabin
accomodation, everything in plenty aud
of the best kind. She has plenty of
freight room, is a very fast aud cheap
riïPning boat, is as staunch as they
make them and, in our opinion, admi
rably suited to the trade. There are
a number of people in this city, aud t.n
the Atchafalaya particularly, who win
be glad to hear that Capt. Kenison is
himself again," and will heartily second
ns in the wish that he may speedily re
cover with the Fanchon all that he uas
lost this season by the Lessie 1 aylor.
The Fanchon will be ready for business
in a few days.
Homicide .—On the 16th of February,
Venance Richard of Calcasieu, killed
Paulin Btoussard of the same parish,
near Maignauds store on Mermento, ip
St. Landry parish.
Desire Richard, biyther of Venance
Richard and Pollive Manso, implicated
in the killing, were lodged in our parish
jail on, the 19th. Venance Richard is
still at large; but will be arrested this
week. We will give further particulars
after the preliminary examination..
We suppose there will be the usual
rush to Kei* Orleans Mardi-Gras. See
advertisement Sun Flower aud
üteriba«
Hon. Charles M. Conrad died in New
Orleans on the 11th iust. For forty
years he had been prominent as a mem
ber of the Louisiana bar. He was born
in Winchester, Va., iu 1804, but was
brought to New Orleans when a chiid.
Within the State, says the Picayune, he
was prominent as a legislator, a mem
ber of various conventions, and the in
cumbent of other distinctly responsi
ble offices, iucluding that of Attorney
General. In Federal politics, Mr. Con
rad tilled the honorable stations of mem
bb/ of the House of Representatives,
Uuited States Senator, and Secretary of
War, under President Fillman. He
also served in the Confederate Congress.
It seldom falls to the lot of an individual
to have been so honored by his fellow
citizens as was Mr. Conrad.
Prof. Cooke has given us his expesure
of spiritualism, two nights this week.
He had a crowded house particularly on
Thursday night. His feats aud his ex
posures are wonderful and we heartily
advise all to go and see him and Mrs.
Crawford. Nobody who sees them, but
will consider himself amply repaid. It
is the best thing we have seen in Ope
lousas and we hope he may have crowded
houses wherever he goes.
At a meeting of the tax payers of
St. Landry parish, held in Grand
Coteau, February Feb. 16th, 1878, Mr.
Lucien Darbv presiding,
The followingresolutions were passed:
Resolved, To send throughout the
parish four or more petitions protesting
against other iucrease of taxation ovPr
and above ten mills, also memorializing
the Legislature to give us a board ol
equalization on assessment and valua
tion of property throughout the State.
J. S. Hazlewood,
Secretary.
Or.
Tebault's Union in Mass
Meeting.
the assembly at clay statue last
night—an irregular postpone
ment of proceedings.
For at least a week past the association
known as ihe Real Estate and lax
Payers Union, Dr. Tebault, President,
has had in view a mass meeting to be
iield on Saturday, the 16th inst.., "tor
the purpose of declaring the sentiments
of his people in favor of a constitution
al convention, the suspension of the iu
terest on the city debt, etc."
Lafayette Square vus originally se
lected as the place where the people
were to assemble en masse and hearken
to the orators chosen to lift up then
voices on the momentous occasion.
After more nature reflection it was de
termined to hold the meeting at the
corner of Royal and Canal streets, un
der the very eye of the Demosthenes of
Kentucky." At the appointed hour, 7:30
P. M.,'Dr. Tebault and the other mem
bers of the Union appeared upon the
balcony of the Griswood building, in
the garish light of torches^nd re-en
forced by a band of music.
Below, on the street, was assembled a
crowd of about a thousand persons, and
not even the eloquence of the dyspep
sia preventer man across the way could
seduce these patriotic citizens into de
sertion of Dr. Tebault's meeting. It
was evident from the first that this
crowd had come together for the pur
pose of having a little fun, and before
the proceedings were concluded it was
plain that they were bound to have then
fun, no matter who were made the
victims. , ,
The meeting was called to order t>>
Dr E. W. Brickell, who announced Dr.
Tebault as the presiding officer, and
read a long list of vice presidents. Dr.
Tebault then I tepped to the front and
began to read a series of propositions,
which lie desired to submit to the as
semblage. Then arose a violent, tumult
ou the part of the audience; yells were
heard on every side, and eggs and other
missiles came hurling through the air,
aimed apparently, at the sacred person
of the President of the R. E. and I. r.
Union. Nevertheless, the Doctor was
not to be intimidateiL and persisted in
his remarks to the *d, maintaining a
dauntless front. , , .
Mr. Lea, member of the Legislature
from St. Helena, was then introduced
and delivered a short speech, which was
drowned by the clamor of the people.
Othef orators attempted to address
the crowd, but were at length compelled
to retire before the bombardment, which
was kept up, with but few intermissions.
It was t herefore deemed best to adjourn.
In the in^aiitinie a nwtrijuj hau been
improvised below, and opposition ora
tors harrflugued the crowd. Mi. R. Ring
Cutler was elevated to a prominent
position on a bos, and dehvered an ad
dress, at the conclusion ot which the
crowd dissolved.
The foregoing extract from the Pica
yune, speaks for itself. It needs no
comment. It shows the utter inefficiency
of the Police force iu New Orleans.
That a mass meeting of the taxpayers,
aud citizens, assembled for a perfectly
legitimate purpose should have been
interfered with disturbed and broken
up by a gang of roughs apd rowdies is >
to say the least of it, a burning disgrace
to the people of New Orleans. We are
unequivocally opposed to mob law- and
n ?ob violence, and wjjeuever it manifests
itself, believe in summarily squelchipgit,
ever at the expense of a little blood
betting. Having "rotten egged" the
speakers at this meeting with impunity
it will be emboldened the next time to
go farther and do worse, until una!!}
good citizens will be compelled to take
the matter into their own hands aud
settle summarily with this Towdy ele
ment. No wonder Senator Goode insists
on moving the capital to Baton Rouge.
The disgraceful proceedings referred to
ought to be a powerful argument in
favor of it.
Owing to rainé, planting prospects are
backward this season. W e hope though
for better times, and that our planters
profiting by past experience will raise
more corn, potatoes and rice and less
cotton this year than last.
The discovery has been made that
the world does not revolve wrh the
same momentum it did a thousand years
ago, but it still swings around fast
enough to satisfy the mau with a he.ivy
HÇtÇ coining due,
The followingletter from a well known
gentlemen, Capt. J. M. Taylor, shows
how the Democrat is appreciated iu the
country. It will oe remembered that
Capt Taylor was a candidate of the
Variety Hall wing of the Democrat party
for the Legislat ure in the last campaign,
when the unfortunate division in the
rank of our party took place.
Church Point, La ., Feb. 9th, 1878.
M. D. Kavanagh, Esq.. Editor st. L asdky
D emocrat , Opeîousas, La. :
Dkak Sut— Allow me to return thanks
..nfl welcome it as an auxiliory in the
Democratic household of St. Landry,
with the hope that it and the Courier
will work well in harness together, and
labor for the one great object—the uni
fication and harmony of the Democratic
party. There ought to be a sufficient
patronage for boili papers—so avoid all
wrangling, and do not let competition
destroy the friendship and good will of
the editors aud publishers of the two
journals.
You may consider me a subscribe r to
the " St. Landky Democrat ," with
kiud wishes for its success.
Very respectfully,
John M. Taylor.
The following acts of the General
Assembly, recently piomulgated, are of
general interest, aud we publish them
for the benefit of our readers:
regular session, 1878. [No. 21.J
An act authorizing the Police Jury ol
the parish of St. Landry to levy and
assess, for certain purposes, an an
nual tax of fourteeu and one-half
nulls; restricting the powers of said
jury, except by conseut of the voters
of said parish, and repealing act No.
34 of regular session of 1870.
Section 1. Be it enacting by the Sen
ute and House of Representatives of the
State of Louisiana in General Assembly
convened, That the Police Jury of tht;
parish of St. Landry shall have the
power to impose, levy and assess an
nually ou said parish the necessary tax
for the general administration ot said
parish, for the payment of its necessary
internal improvements and for defray
ing the expenses of criminal prosecu
tion within said parish ; provided that
the annual parish tax for these purposes
sh 11 under no circumstances exceed
fourteen and one-half mills, unless by
conseut of the voters.
Sec . 2. Be it further enacted, etc., i hat
act No. 34 of regular session of 1870, ap
proved February 25th, 1870, be and is
hereby repealed, aud this act shall take
effect from ami after its passage.
(Signed) Louis Bush,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
(Signed) Louis A. Wiltz,
Lieutenant Governor aud President ot
the Seuate.
Anproved February 14,1878.
Francis T. Nicholls,
Governor of the State of Louisiana.
A true copy :
Will A. Strong,
Secretary of State.
[No-22] ,, . , „
To further regulate the trial of appeals
in the Supreme Court of the State
of Louisiana.
Section 1. jBe it enacted by the senate
and House of Representatives of the State
of Louisiana, in General Assembly con
vened, That any cases in which pay
ment is sought of auy bill, note or other
written unconditional obligation to pay
money, shall be tried iu the summary
docket of the Suprême Court ault be
called and tried as other summary
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted,etc., That
this act shall take effect troui aud after
its passage.
(Signed) Louis Bush, _
Speaker of the House of Representatives
(Signed) Louis A. Wiltz,
Lieutenant Governor aud President of
the Senate.
Approved February 15,1878.
(Signed) Francis T. Nicholls,
Governor of the State of Louisiana.
A true copy :
Will A. Strong,
Secretary of State.
[No. 23] T , , .
Requiting the Parish JudgeB of the
State to keep their offices at the Par
ish Seat. ,, , _
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate
and House of Representatives of the State
of Louisiana, in General Aeseinbly con -
veiled, That all parish judges, through
out the State, shall keep their offices at
their respective parish seats, apd shall
keep said offices «»peu and remaiu there
in for the transaction of business, each
and every day, Sundays and holidays
excepted, during the hours from ten
o'clock a. m., till three o'clock p. m. ;
provided that nothing herein shall pre
^ 'li. {...(.ilnta rKa vMAtrii I udj
.eut Rheni holding tlie regular term
court as how fixed by law.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, etc., That
this ncp shall take from and after
its passage.
(Signed) Louis Bush,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
(Signed) Louis A. Wiltz,
Lieutenant Governor and President of
tlie Senate.
Approved February 15,1878.
(Sinned) Francis T. Nicholls,
Governor of the State of Louisiana.
A true cqpy ;
Will A. Strong,
Secretary of State.
[No. 24.]
An act to amend and re-enact section
No. 787 of the Revised Statutes ot
1870.
Section 1. Be it enacted by Senate and
House of Representatives, of the State of
Louisiana, in General Assembly con
vened, That section No. 787 of the Re
vised Statutes of 1870, be amended aud
re-enacted so as to read as follows:
" Whoever shall commit a rape, shall
on conviction thereof suffer death
Whoever shall administer any poison
to any person, with intent to commit
murder, shall on conviction therefor
suffer death. Whoever shall attempt
to administer poison, or administer or
attempt to administer any drug, chemi
cal preparation, potion or thiug what
ever, with the intent to commit mur
der or rape, shall op copvictiou there
for be inlprisoued at hard labor for not
less than five years nor more than
twenty years.
SEC. 2. Be it further cnßcted, etc., That
all have in conflict herewith be and
they are herewith repealed.
(Signed) Louis Bush,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
(Signed) Louis A. Wiltz,
Lieutenant Governor and President of
the Senate.
Aporoved February 15,1878.
(Signed) Francis T. Nicholls,
Governor of the State of Louisiana,
A true copy j
Will A. Strong,
Secretary of State.
Many a man who turned over a new
leaf od the first ot January, act as if
they held their book upside down all
the time.
cent p er Innmi) interest, and repayable
New Orleans Pacific Railway. |
I From the X. O. Democrat.]
The Judiciary Committee of the
House of Representatives have reported
favorably, the bill to graut to the New
Orleans Pacific Railway Company two
millions in State bonds, to bear ti per
in forty years from date of issue, re
ceiving in return the bonds of the
company for a like amount, on similar
terms as to interest, aud time of repay
ment, with 25 per cent additional of
said bonds over the two millions, to
fifty miles of excellently graded road,
is moderately estimated by most com
petent judges as worth $500,000, on
which iucludes one hundred and
which the company ask an advance of j
State bonds for $250,000. Thereafter, I
•is each section of ten miles is graded, !
tied and metalled with steel rails ready i
tor the rolling stock, $10,000 in bonds j
per mile are to be advanced by the"
State on the acceptance of the work
by the Statt engineers designated by
the Governor for the purpose.
No exemption from State, parish city
or other tax is asked by the company,
nor has any been granted; all that is
required is a loan of State bonds on
securities unimpeachably sufficient for
$2,000,000, to enable our struggling
fellow-citizens to complete this great
patriotic enterprise, which will people
many of our parishes, enormously in
crease their productive power and tax
able capacity, and add millions yearly
to the commerce of our suffering
capital. „ . .
No one interested in btate securities,
no nu reliant, no real estate owner, no
tsLXpayer of any description, has, so far
as our knowledge of the community
extends, uttered one syllable "f oppo
sition to the bill before the General As
sembly for the objects embraced in it,
or the manner in which it is proposed
to carry theui to successful completion ;
can it then, we need scarcely inquire,
l»e necessary for us to say more than
what every oue earnestly demands
ought to be done speedily, ungrudg
ingly, spontaneously for the salvation
of the best interests of our State and
city? .
Some little dissent was embodied 111 a
miuarity report of two membeis of the
Judiciary Committee to the bill, but
are quite sure, from the high character
and intelligence of the gentlemen al
luded to, that they will not make their
objections a ground for serious opposi
tion to a measure deemed so vitally ne
cessary for the n—establishment of our
prosperity, the development of our in
terior parishes and the restoration of
our declining commerce.
It is impossible to exaggerate the ad
vantages« to be accomplished by a road
connecting this city with Shreveport,
ou Red river, and marshall, in Texas,
not ouly in the increase of our popula
tion, the augmentation of our agricul
tural wealth, the diversion to our city
of millions of dollars per annum, but in
the addition it would cause to every |
taxable element upon which our reli
ance must be placed for the mainten
ance of the public credit and the sup
port of the State administration. More
over it would give stiength and sta
bility to political aud other corporations
whose creditable existence is insepara
bly entwined with the public prosperity.
Never iu our editorial career «lid a
more painful duty devolve upon us than
of opposing the scheme to build this
railroad by a tax on the property of our
city. We felt as deeply sensible to its
necessity to stay the downward ten
dency of our commercial foi tunes as
auy of its most ardeut friends. Indeed,
we never hesitated to express our con
viction that it was the oue first great
step toward a new and more glorious
future; but we did not desire to achieve
that by means so objectionable as the
taxation proposed implied. And un
pleasant as it was to be compelled to
separate ourselves from friends whom
we held, for many good reasons, in the
highest esteem, we made the sacrifice,
and have never regretted it.
How stands the case to-dav ? No favor,
according to the old and reprehensive
modes, is asked of the State, no excep
tional legislation to aid the capital in
this enterprise over the capital other
wise employed, no special privileges,
nothing but a loan of State bonds for
$2,000,000 on a first mortgage of a road
360 miles in length, and, as the road is
completed. With an additional guaran
tee of 25 per cent in like first mortgage
bonds, the eniire amount of which is
limited to $5,000,000, or less than $14,
000 per mile of completed road.
Not only this, but the company up
takes to retire the State bonds in sums
of $50,000 annually, commencing five
years troui the opeuing of the road to
praise.
L'ai! Kb y proposition commend itself
more acceptably to legislative support
than this ? Can human ingenuity de
vise a plan for the enrichment of a suf
fering people st) free from every reas
onable and fair objection, or one so well
calculated to make representatives or
the people forget their party differences
and unite for the promotion of au un
dertaking that will contribute more or
less to every one's happiness and world
ly success ?
A Romance ol the Big Horn.
the death of a young chic agon a at
the hands of indians in that won
derful wilderness—a stubborn
fight with overwhelming num
bers—a tell-tale photograph,
etc.
(Special Correspondence of the Chicago Times.]
Fort Fettenuan, Wyoming, June 18.—
Having a desire to visit the " Unknown
region ot the Big Horn," your corres
pondent left this place on the 30th of
April, with a party ol thirty-five Mon
tana and Colorado men, under the
leadership of "Dad" Fail weather, an
old aud experienced miner.
Our trail'from here to old Fort Keno,
was the same that Gen. Reyuolds
traveled with the third cavalry one
Îear since when in pursuit of Crazy
torse, and although it stormed but lit
tle upon us, it was enough to give us a
pretty good idea of what Reynolds and
his men suffered upon th^t terrible
march, which Gen, Crook was pleased
to say last winter in Cheyenne was
barren of result, although he freely
admitted that the Indians were badly
crippled, aud their entire village, to
gether with all their meats; robes, am
munition and topees, destroyed We
Sacheit Old Reuo op the evening of
ay 3, and camped on the opposite side
of thé river, where we remained until
the morning of the 4th, and uothiug
worthy of note occurred here. vYe
struck the site o£ old Phil Kearney W
the fifth, and decided to fio direct to
Cloud Peak, aud this,' too, without ^iv
iuç UiouçliC to the »ouataiBS ot snow
which had piled in our path, and which
must melt before our party could reach
its destination. We found the snow
from ten to twenty feet deep in the j
gulches, and that, in our desire to be)
among the first in this new country, j
we were a little too lusty/as the snow |
will not melt before the latter part of j
July.
And leaving the mountains apd strik- j
ing into the foot-hills, we traveled very j
slowly to let our horses pick up, and
in fact we had no object in moving j
rapidly, for we had formed no plans ,
regard in it our future movements.
nig, came into camp and reporte
they had heard firing all the atte
and that they believed that son
was corraled
tlie.y. ' ,îU *
'Roberts party," who, we supposed,
were then in the mountains to the west
of us. On the evening of the 25th two
ol our party, who had been out hunt
line into camp aud reported that
rnoon,
some one
by the hostile, and aWo
struck two different trails
leading in the direction of the firing,
and that, neither of them apparently
was two hours old. Guards were posted
and we turned iu eafly, fully expecting
that our aid would be needed in the
morning, and as fully determined that
we would give it, and on the tight side.
Early morn found lis in the saddle,
moving as rapidly as our blundering
guides permitted. About nine o'clock
we heard a number of shots to oui
right, about a half mile distant. Put
ting our animals at their best speed we
headed toward the point of a high
bluff, in the direction of the tiling.
We rounded the blutt, on a dead run,
and came immediately bi view and in
contact with about thirty-five indians,
some mounted and others on foot. We
saw each other about the same moment,
but the savages had a slight advantage,
and got the first tire, wounding one of
our horses. The filit ended as suddenly
as it was abruptly commenced—the In
dians retiring in haste, as they usually
do when getting the worst ot it. Up to
this time we had been unable to dis
cover what had caused the tiring
Moving to where we had first, seen the
redskins, we found five dead ponies,
and iu a little gully still further ou t
three dead Indians. Knowing that
this was not our woik—as the bodies
were cold and had evidently been deatt
for hours—we commenced searching
for the men, or man, who had made
such a desperate tight. Against the face
of the bluffs, three hundred yards away,
was a pile of rock, covering perhaps
fifty or sixty yards iu space, and as this
seemed the most probable place for an
attacked party to take shelter, \*e
moved in that direction. When within
twenty or thirty yards of the rocks we
halted, and called to whoever might be
there to come out, but receiving no
answer. Mr. Travis (formerly of your
city) and myself moved on the rocks in
advance of the party.
Dismounting and hitching our horses
to the brush, we walked into this
natural fortress. The first, thing that
attracted our attention was a dead
horse with the saddle and bridle still
on. Pausing only a moment. we
pressed on, looking for the rider. Ten
or a dozen steps further on we found
hitu—found hiui, but that was all, for
he was beyond all human aid. He bore
upou every ligament of his countenance
the marks of rank, intellectuality and
manhood.
The dead hero was about 26 or 27
years of age, ot splendid physique,
with dark hair and moustache, with his
brain blood. There he lay resting on
Iiis right side, with his head resting as
though by chance upon a stone—as
though God Himself had laid him
there, iu all his glory.
There laid this silent hero who, for
two eventful, desperate days, single
handed, han fought a band of desperate
savages, and vainly scanned the plains
and canyons for aid. Got! only knows
what this silent western sentinel
thought, He viewed death from the
beginning as uuevitable, as no imui
could withstand such an attack, and
from the evidence before us, we knew
that the struggle had been as terrible
as Custer's last tight on the Little Horn.
Thirteen wounds proved it beyond a
doubt. The mght hand of this brave
stranger held tlistt which, in all proba
bility, his gaze had rested upou when
the death-rattle sounded in his throat
—the picture of a very handsome young
lady, taken by a Cottage Grove avenue,
Chicago, photographer. Attached to
tiiis picture was a lock of light silky
hair, tied with a small piece of blue
ribbon, aud written on the back w- t8
the following verse:
For deep in his V.C-Hrt where tlie shadows fall,
I s grave of a love that is past recall,
And ever a face rose-wreathed, and fair.
Will rise from the shadows to hauut him there.
Whether this lady was wife, sister or
sweat-heart, we could m>t tell, but it
was very evident that his last thoughts
on earth were of her. Written at the
bottom of the picture was the name
" Mamie" and again in a plain gold
ring taken from his finger was engraved
"To Mamie" aud opposite the word.
" Mizpah."
We buried this stranger at sunrise
the following morning, liuder the shade
ol a mountain pine, close to where lie
died. The picture and lock of hair
were buried with him. No head-board
marks his resting place, but before
leaving the grave one of the party cut
in deep letters on the tree.
lie
og
at
tit
J.
D
4
MAMIE'S FRIEND,
Killed May 26,
1877. •
He
grave
rests unwept in an unknown
like hundreds of other brave
men who have died in the mountains,
and whose relatives never know their
fate.
The property belonging to his person,
consisting of a gold watch and chain, a
fourteen-pound Sharp's rifle, silver
plated Smith & Wesson six-shooter,
saddle and bridle, and $183 in currency,
will he left with Mr. John Collins, post
sutler, Fort Laramie, subject to the or
der of friends, who must furnish ample
proof that they are the rightful
claimants.
It is believed hy well informed per
sons in Washington that the new in
come tax will provide as follows: All
incomes up to $2000 to be exempted ; all
incomes over $2000 and less than $10,000
to be taxed 2 per centum ; all incomes
over $10,000 to be taxed 3 per oemtum.
Under this bill a nu»u with an income
of $20,00>Q per annum, would pay ex
actly $460 to the government, and it is
over this idea that the Wall street press
are howling with rage. The entire
charge to the prosperous classes of the
country i» estimated at from $10,000,000
to $15,000,000 per annum.
" Patrick, where's Bridget 1 " Indade,
ma'm, she's fast asleep looking at the
bread baking."
"k "Rubber ."—A lady
Playing th t0 surprise her hus
who determined airo bought him a
band, a few nights . placed them
new pair of rubbers i. -rhen he came
by the bedside, so that \ "<*ht at such
in she could enjoy his deli, ' affection,
a fond exhibition of love anil hat Ins
The man stayed out so late t. <e m
wife fell asleep, and when lie can. He
Iiis eye fell upon the overshoes. »
was just, about to stab himself wit-li a
cheese knife, when he reconsidered his
intention and determined to rouse Ins
wife and tell her that lie knew all.
Grabbing her by the hair, lie yelled
out: "This once happy home is deso
lated by a faithless woman's perfidy,
and pointed to the overshoes. It took
nearly two hours to explain, and then
lie forgave her, with the understanding
that she would m ike him a pair of
slippers with his monogram and a gree
og on the toe.—[Virginia (New) Chro
nicle.
DIED :
DKROUEN—On the 8th of February. 1878,
at his residence, near \ iHr Plate, after a lonj?
and painful illness. Mr. Joseph Derouen, aged
tit years.
MABBIED i
1SSTORGE— CASSE— In New Iberia, on the
18th inst.. by Kev. Father Jacquet, Dr. J. L
Estorge, of Opelousas, and Mrs. Lucie Corn mes,
widow Casse, of New Or eans.
Accompanying the above announcement, we
rcceivrd a bottle of champaign, which we driiiK
with pleasure to the health and happ.nets or
the Doctor and his fair lady.
WILLIAMS—PORTER—At the Methodist
Church in Opelousas, on the 20tli inst.. by Rev.
J. J. Billingsley, Mr. Austin O. Williams, of the
D kmochat office, and Miss Mat'gie C. Porter,
daughter of the late Judge James M. Porter.
Inspired by the happy occasion, our " devil "
lias composed the following lines:
Young Austin dropped his "stick" and "galley,"
And went to find a blooming bride.
He made a matrimonial sally,
And soon had Maggie by Iiis side.
4 troup of swains had known her well,
And each had made some soft confession
But of the swains who wooed the belle.
Young Austin made the best " impression."
Well did he make, the most " desplay,"
As known to typographic art.
And " printed " In the happiest way
His " copy " on her yielding heart.
Young Austin did not wooe in vain,
Nor use his printer's skill amiss,
Love's " hyphen " now unites the, twain
In bonds of matrimonial bliss.
In wedded " form," from youth to age.
May all misfortunes pass them by—
The fattest " matter " fill their " page "
With nought to kroek it into " pie."
For long, long years as man and wife,
May they a solid " column " prove,
And " illustrate in after life
The truest " types" of wedded love.
JUDICIAL ADVERTISEMENTS,
^HEKIFF'S SAf.E.
DISTRICT COURT. PARISH OF8T. LANDRY
NO. 12657. **
JOHN N. OGDEN VS. STEPHEN W. OSBORN
By vrtne of a writ of fieri facias issued out
of the honorable District Court, in and for the
Parish of St. Landry, in the above entitled suit,
and to me directed, I will proceed to sell at
public auction, to the highest bidder, at the
Courthouse in the town of Opelousas. parish
of St. Landry, on SATURDAY, the 16th day
of March, 1878, at It o'clock a. m ., the follow
ing described property, to-wit:
Two hundred and to ty arpents of land sit
uated on Bayou Marie Croquant or Little Tfiche,
parish of 8t. Landry, being six arpents front by
lorty arpents in depth, lying on the north line
of tract claimed by James O. Chachere, com
mencing at the line bounded by Mrs. Arnaud,
running six arpents front by fortv in depth,
(see description in act recorded on page 621 and
522 of alit nation book D. No. 2 of recorder!
office, parish of St. Landry,) bounded north by
Mrs. Adolph Arnaud, east by , south by
James O. Chaohere, w. st, by Marie Croquant,
together with all the buildings and improve
ments'thereon.
Saving and excepting :ots Nos. 1, 2, 3 am' 4 ad
per plat of said land, said lots having been s.ild
under and by virtue or iasd writ on Saturday
February 16th. 1878, fo. cash,
Terme— To be sold "u a credit of twelve
months, purchaser fur shing bond and security
according to law, aut! paying all costs and
taxes in oash.
C. C. DUSON,
feb 23 Sheriff of the Parish ot St. Landry.
I^OTICE OE TABLEAU.
PROBATE COURT, PARISH OF ST. LANDRY
No. 3946.
ESTATE OF JOSEPH A. GUIDRY.
Whereas. Ignatius Guidrv of the parish of St
Landry, administrator ot 1 the estate Joseph A.
Guidry, deceased, having filed a tableau of
rlqsicification of debts of sa'd estate accompa
nied by his petition praying for :he homolo
gation of the same.
Aud whereas the prayer of sa : d petition has
been granted by an order of court, bearing date
February 2QtU, 1878.
Now, therefwre notice is hereby given to all
persons interested to make opposition to said
tableau in writing at my office in the town of
Opelousas, within the time required by law. why
the said tableau should not be homologated and
confirmed. JAMES O, CHACHERE, Clerk.
tea 33
^«TICE OF TABLEAU.
PROBATE COURT, PARISH OF ST. LANDRY,
No. 3790.
ESTATE ACHSAH EDWARDS, WIDOW
GREEN HUDSPETH.
Whereas, George W. Hudspeth of the parish of
of St. Landry, administrator of the estate of
Aehsa# Edwards, widow Green Hudspeth,
deceased, having filed a final tableau of clas
sification of debts and distribution of assets
of said estate, accompanied by his )>etitloi)
praying for the homologation of the same.
And, whereas, the prayer of said petition has
been granted by an order of oourt, bearing data
Jan ary 23d, 1878.
Now, therefore notice is hereby given to all
persons interested to make opposition to said
tableau in writing at my office in the town of
Opelousaaas, within the time required by law,
why the said tableau should not be homologated
and confirmed,
JAMES O. CHACHERE, Clerk.
feb 33-gwh
JÇOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION.
PROBATE COURT, PARISH OF ST. LANDRY,
NO. 3989.
ESTATE OF LOUIS SIMON.
Whereas, Jean Baptiste Duroussean and hi»
wife Augustine L. Simon of the parish of St.
Landry, have applied by their petition to be ap
appointed joint administrators of the estate of
Louis Simon, deceased, late of the parish of St.
Landry.
Therefore, any person intending to make op
position to said appointment, will file the same
in writ ing in my office, in the town of Opelousas,
within ten days from the nresent notice.
james o. Chachere , cierk.
feb 16 -bam & fp
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
W. W. CLARK President
D. TYLER Secretary and Treasurer
j. W. NORRIS Vice-PresiEent
DIEBOLD
Sale ol" Lock Co.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
FIRE AND BURGLAR PROOF
Safes.
FACTORY, CANTON, O.
Branch OCice, *7 Caeal 8I„
A. BO*, Agral.,
feb 26-1? New Orleans. La.
jr&tic.
Bids for further repairs on Franklin Colles»
Buildings and enclosing same with fence, will
be received up to the 1st of March. Specifica
tions of the work may be seen at the H . t , ore of
C. N. Ealer. ^ M. MOOg£
ar.SWAYZE,
J .H.HOUSTON,
ym aMto Üdlege Building-