When the slaves were emancipated after the civil war, Southern communities were discontent with this, so they passed "black codes" in order to maintain control of black citizens. Mississippi and South Carolina were the first states to pass these regulations. Later, other states followed.
"Section 2. Be it further ordained, That every negro who shall be found absent from the residence of his employer after 10 o'clock at night, without a written permit from his employer, shall pay a fine of five dollars, or in default thereof, shall be compelled to work five days on the public road, or suffer corporeal punishment as hereinafter provided."
The quote is important because it shows that these regulations did not allow freedmen to move around freely as they please. They were subject to as much oversight, authority, and supervision as possible.
"Section 13. Be it further ordained, That all sums collected from the aforesaid fines shall be immediately handed over to the parish treasurer."
This is an important quote because these regulations tried to limit freedmen's not only physical limitations, but economical limitations as well.
"Section 5. Be it further ordained, That no public meetings or congregations of negroes shall be allowed within said parish after sunset;" and Section 6 prohibited "declaim to congregation fo colored people."
These are important parts of quotes because they showed that African American social and political organizations were feared. When united, they posed as a threat to White authority and order.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Black Code of St. Landry's Parish, 1865
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The Opelousas Courier
(Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910,
April 20, 1872
Vol. XIX. Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La., April 20, 1872.
No. 32.,
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY LEON CB SANDOZ.
OPELOUSAS: SATURDAY,
APRIL 20, 1872.
Proceedings Of the Board of Police of the Town of Opelousas.
On Monday, April 8th. 1872, the new Board met pursuant to law, the members thereof having qualified as required by the Charter and the law.Were present: Messrs. L. Hadden. W. R. Meginley. Louis Lejeune, J. Peferkorn, Geo. Pulford, H.Iatour and C. C. Duson.
There being a quorum present, the Board proceeded to business, Mr. Hadden is called to the Chair, pro tem.The Board now proceeds to elect its officers for the Town. as follows:Mr. H. Latour having received seven votes for President of the Board, is therefore proclaimed duly elected President.
Mr. P. L. Hebrard having a majority of the votes. is declared duly elected Clerk of the Board, at a salary of $150 a year.
Messrs. Posey and Hadden being put in nomination for the office of Treasurer of the Town. It appears on the ballots being taken that Mr. Posey received one vote, and Mr Hadden having received three votes; Mr. Hadden is therefore declared duly elected Treasurer of the Town, at a salary of $100 a year.
Mr. Meginley moves that the salary of the Town Attorney be fixed at $250 a year, this motion being Iast, the said salary is fixed at $100 a year. Mr. J. J. Morgan having received all the votes, is declared duly elected Town Attorney at said salary of $100 a year.
The salary of Town Printer is fixed at $100 a year. Messrs. Leonce Sandoz and J. V. Jackson being put in nomination; on the ballots being counted it appears that Mr. Sandoz received four votes, and Mr. Jackson two votes; Mr. Sandoz is declared duly elected Town Printer.
A letter from Mr. Samuel N. Peters, offering if elected, to perform all the duties of Constable for the sum of $450, is read.
Mr. C. C. Duson moves that the salary of Town Constable be fixed at $l000; said motion having been withdrawn, it is resolved, on motion of Mr.Mekinley, that the said salary be fixed at the sum of $600 a year. On motion, the election for Constable is now gone into, Messrs. Samuel N.Peters and E. S. Andrus are put in nomination; upon counting the ballots it was found that Mr.Peters had received two votes, and Mr. Andrus four votes. Mr. Andrus was therefore declared duly elected Town Constable.
The bonds of the Treasurer and of the Constable are fixed at $3,000, respectively.
On motion of Mr. Pulford the duties of the Constable are defined as follows, to wit:
He shall keep order in the Town; assess the property in this Town; collect the taxes and licenses; patrol the Town if necessary; he shall pay all the monies collected by him to the Clerk who shall pay the same over to the Treasurer,monthly; he shall collect the market dues; oversee the public work on the streets; assist in all the performance of his duties as a Quarantine officer; all fines collected by him shall be paid by him into the hands of the Clerk as above; he shall not charge more than 20 cents a load when hauling dirt for the Town; he shall not receive any extra compensation for collecting any special tax.
The Board then adjourned until next meeting.
H. LATOUR, President,
Attest: P. LEONCE HEBRARD, Clerk of the Board
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