The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1859-10-21
A CARP.
To The Voters Of Bosrier Parish !

luctant have hert tofore felt, and still
feel, in addressing you or appearing
through the medium of the news paper +.
still feel constrained from a sense O
duty to notice in this way, some char.
ges find circulating over the Parish
First that am not citizen Of Bossier
that any man of truth and honor
would thus impeach my integrity OF
question my sincerity, knowing the
facts Of the case, | am slow to believe.
have been honored time and again bv
the voters Of Bossier, and can to-day
say of truth and with clear consci
ence, | have never deceived YOU, nor
knowingly misrepresented your inter
ests. With an unfaltering purpose to
do right, and heart filed with graft
tade for the confidence reposed, have
gone forward in the strict and faithful
discharge Of my duty. Under all these
circumstances | have some cause to
feel mortified, and to complain, thus
publicity, at the ready zeal and indus
try with which these charges are being
circulated; that there may be no room
for doubt or cavil about my citizenship,
] make the following statement -
Some thirteen years ago, / moved to
this parish with w. G. Naples (who
married my only daughter) We
bought land, and worked our negroes
together, from that time up to this day.
About ten years ago, Mr.. Naples moved
over to Miuden, for the temporary pur-
pose Of educating his children there
being no good schools in our neighbor-
hood ! recorded my residence in.
this Parish, where my property was and
still is, and have voted in no other par
ISL, for State or parish officers since |
have been in the State. ] Ihave no fami-
ly, and it IS natural should do as I have
done-spehd much Of my leisure time
with those 50 nearly and dearly con-
nected to me. am also charged with
being opposed 10 tie improvements on
Bayou Dorchete. This charge is also
false, for | did vote for the bill APP
pfopriating five thousand dollars out Of
the swamp land funds, for the purpose
of draining and reelaiming swamp and
overflowed lands on the Dorehete. If
elected, | will use my best effigffs to get
an appropriation adequate TO complete
the work out of the same funds, and as
the swamp land commissioner has re,
ported in favor Of the work, think It
can be obtained. | am further charged
with being in favor of reclaiming
swamp lands on Willow Chute to the
injury Of other lands below. and for
measures that would injure the navig-
ton Of Lake Bisteneau. These charges
are also untrue. Ifeel conscious that I
would not injure any one to the benefit
of another mot even myself. This
subject is committed BY law to board
of public works, whose dnty it is to go
upon the ground and make examina-
tons, and, by surveys and estimates 10
decide what ougllAand what ought not
to be done. Buff the board of public
works should apply to the Legislature
for authority to do, what is not already
then would act and vote for
what believed to be for the general
good ofmy constituents. Ihope the above
will plainly define my position, and
that generous public will not let me
suffer by false charges, and lni<repre-
sentations Of my true position. No
man can attack my political integrity,
and ! hope none will ilnpeach my hon
or. II | am to be beaten, let it be done
on account Of the political principles
| profess, and not upon supposition
that | am claiming the rights of a citi
zen where / have no such right. Imay
be allowed under such nnwarranted at
tacks upon me to say, were ! capable
of such deceit upon you as these charges
imply; it would seem that | bad forgot
ten the earliest acts Of my manhood,
when I stood up for your rights upon