Chapter 13: A Beautiful Day

The goal of Sheffield was to make these plantation owners, who were seeking a way out, feel welcomed. Naturally, in his imagination, he hoped that one person could push everything forward, but reason told him this was not possible. The Sheffield family could not face all the issues on their own, especially with historical problems like the Yankees and the Dixies lingering.

Both Annabelle and he felt that it would be more beneficial for these plantation owners to return. It would be much better than the Sheffield family fighting alone. After all, they had once stood in the same trench together, and the bond of camaraderie remained.

The first thing to familiarize oneself with was the law enforcement system. Before the Civil War, the United States had only just established a modern American police system, where both federal police and local police forces coexisted.

For Sheffield, he was not very familiar with this aspect either. The police in each state were different, and the laws varied as well. This was not Texas, where he would have had acquaintances. However, the management team left behind here was not unfamiliar with this matter.

The police force was certainly not a threat to them, but the Louisiana police department was relatively powerful. After all, the black population here made up the majority, and if the police force was not strong enough, the crime rate would really rise.

Arresting and punishing criminals might not solve all problems, but it could solve many. The first statewide police department was established decades ago in the newly independent Texas, where it set some standards for state police forces in the United States, such as the blue police uniform.

Therefore, in its early stages, the selection, appointment, and responsibilities of officers were deeply influenced by local politics. This determined that the primary role of the police today was to serve local politics and provide various services to support their own people.

The service priorities of the police in different political parties and regions were obviously different, even though the country was about to enter the 20th century. The difference between the police forces in the North and South was still significant. Unlike other countries, the police in the United States, although well-developed over decades, were not accountable to the federal government. Local state politics had a growing influence over the police, making the connection between law enforcement and politics even tighter. The police were not restricted by central authority, which gave officers considerable personal authority and discretion.

In later years, when U.S. police would easily pull out their guns, "gunfights every day in America" became a historical tradition. The police of today were no different; in fact, they were even less restricted.

But this depended on whom they were dealing with. As an instrument of violence, the police were naturally there to deal with ordinary citizens. Sheffield and his guests, of course, did not belong to this category—they were no ordinary people.

Soon, Sheffield invited several sheriffs from New Orleans to Oak Tree Manor for a visit. No one would care about this matter, as law enforcement was closely linked to politics at the time, reflecting the will of the rulers. The middle class dissatisfaction and pressure to force the police to serve the public would take another twenty years to materialize.

"Young Master William, it is a great honor to come to New Orleans. It shows that the Sheffield family has not forgotten us. For New Orleans and even the entire state of Louisiana, the Sheffield family's enterprises have played a role in serving the public," Sheriff West, in his forties, was the type of authoritative sheriff who could dominate the ordinary public, and his presence was enough to command respect.

Including Sheriff West, several sheriffs who came to Oak Tree Manor had kind and upright faces. As Sheffield looked at a sheriff with a noticeably Mediterranean haircut, he silently concluded that the man must have been overworked, his physical and mental exhaustion causing him to age prematurely. This was typical of sheriffs; how could they not make the Union... the United States strong?

"That can't be said. Our family has only made a small contribution. After all, this is considered the Sheffield family's hometown. How could we just leave without a care?" Sheffield put on a fake modest expression, but his words suggested otherwise, "It's our hometown, and if we left and Louisiana's economy faltered, or if the people lost their jobs, both my grandmother and I would feel guilty. Don't you think?"

"Yes, yes..." Sheriff West nodded frequently, seemingly agreeing with Sheffield's view. If not for the Sheffield family being nostalgic, wouldn't many people be unable to find work? New Orleans' economy would surely suffer.

At that moment, a servant stealthily approached and whispered something in Sheffield's ear. Sheffield subtly nodded, then turned back to Sheriff West and praised him, "Last August, there were some people at the docks who refused to work. Thank you, Sheriff West, for punishing those thugs. These thugs didn't realize how many dock workers are supported by our shipping industry. If they went on strike and caused us losses, we wouldn't be able to pay wages, and more workers would suffer. Sheriff West understands this very well."

"Those thugs are lazy and always trying to find shortcuts. They disrupted the port's operations. How could I turn a blind eye to it?" Sheriff West stood upright and confidently added, "The port business has been a bit slow in recent years, and as a law enforcement officer, I can't just stand by and let things harm the people of New Orleans."

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it, but I will always remember your help, Sheriff West!" Sheffield nodded in approval. After the Democrats came into power and lowered tariffs, the smuggling business had been affected. This had caused some law enforcement officers to lose income, but with the Sheffield family around, it was only a temporary difficulty.

"Your son is doing well at customs, Sheriff West. Our family has been keeping an eye on him. I believe he will only do better in the future!" Sheffield generously praised him, pointing at the table to emphasize, "In fact, we have a group of guests visiting the manor, and everyone here is like family. We'll surely get along well. The future of New Orleans will certainly return to its bustling, prosperous state, just like it was decades ago."

Sheffield waved his hand, signaling the servant to bring over Gale and the others to meet the Louisiana law enforcement officers.

*Clink!* The sound of red wine glasses clinking together. Upright law enforcement officers and law-abiding businessmen were gathered together. It was another beautiful day. Watching this wonderful scene, Sheffield turned to the servant who had just come and quietly asked, "What did West give you for speaking up for him just now?"

*(End of Chapter)*