The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-10-12
TIE sae People Of 81. Landry.

Though opposed to troubling the public with
newspaper correspondence, 1 deem it a duty,
both to myself and to my friends, to contradict
certain reports, circulated in many localities Of
this parish, Intended to injure my election. so
that they may be understood in their proper
light, viz: the falsehoods and devices resorted
to by politicians, l make this statement of facts.
1t is charged that I was raised by Capt. James
&. Hayes, late Sheriff of this parish, and in con-
sequence that l am acting with ingratitude in
consenting to become Il candidate against the
present incumbent.
The first assertion is as untrue as the second
Is unreasonable. I was born and reared in this
parish, with the exception of five years resi-
dence i'll the parish of st. Martin. My father
died there in 1858, and Ireturned to PIaauemine
Brulee with my mother. To her and my uncle,
Mr.. James Webb, l am indebted for the raising
part.
IHever resided at Capt. Hayes one day, until
November 1866. I was then in my Dist year. At
his solicitation I came to OpelOusas TO take a
position in his office as a Deputy Sheriff. HAY
ing endured together some of the dangers and
troubles of the late war, besides the horrors of
prison, q warm personal attachment was natu-
raj, which caused him to offer me the situation
nc ulu. L was HoIhluA Ou lily u1cIBS farm at
the time, and finding my health failing, I gladly
accepted his kind offer. Lacking a few months
OF being 81 years of age at the time, I could not
legally be deputized. attended school ut Rev.
c. A. FFazee's one session, and in August 1867, 1
began work in the sheritf's office, and continued
in the employ of Capt. Hayes until 1870, when
the rule of Warmoth & Co., deprived him of the
office. By his business misfOrtunes and death,
as the Records of his Estate will show, I lost
more than made while in his employ.
Any thing to the contrary, no matter by achon,
stated, is q JatSehood. For the truth of this state
ment, T refer to any gentleman of Plaquemine
Brulce, and more especially to the following
named persons, whose integrity is beyond dis
pute, viz: Gabriel Lyons, Madison Lyons, G.. W.
Foreman, James Webb, D.. o. Hayes, Isaac
Hayes, Fl. .. Sloane, DR.. B. E. Clark, Dr. r. r.
Lyons, Jos. f. Andrus, Jesse B. Clark, joseph
Fl. Andrus, Julien Richard and many others.
That I was employed by Mr.. Haycsat a salary
Of 500 a month, placed me under no obligation
TO him. SO soon as I determined 10 become q
candidate, I Informed him of the fact, and he
discharged me. My duties were defined before
the price was agreed upon. AS the Executive.
Deputy OF the office, on me devOlved the entire
criminal duties, besides the execution of all
writs of Fl. Fa, and to attend to the general
business, which should be attended to by the
Sheriff. The salaryO of the office clerk, Nj. Albert
Lastrapcs, and my own, we agreed should be
left to three disinterested parties. They, con-
sidcring the responsibilities we undertook, fixed
our salaries at 500 per month.
The records will show whether I did nv duty
while in his employ. In common with other
men, besides the support of myself and family,
I have a good character to retain, I shall, there
fore, resort to nothing dishonest, or dishOnor-
able to secure my election. / have placed nv
name before the voters of this parish, and to
them l leave the issue.
If elected, have but one policy. Believing
that the protection OF life and property depends
upon the prompt apprehension and punishment
of all law-breakers, I promise to make this an
unhealthy place for them. This will not only
deter bad men from committing crime in our
midst, but will be a warning to bad characters
to keep out of our parish, reside encourage
good men to come and make their homes among
us, and at the same time be secure themselves
with those whom they may have in their en-
plOy. A strict execution of the law without re-
gard to parties or persons, is my rule.
Very respectfully,
c.. C. DCsON.
Opelousas, October 18th, 1872.