The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-17
THE BREAUX-DARRALL CONTEST.

Gov. McEnery, after reciting an editorial Of
the Picayene, referring to this Congressional
contest, says in letter as follows:
The impression attempted to be created by
this article (the Pic 81 is, that in granting a
certif cate of election to Mr.. Darrall, had viz
| tually Endorsed the action of the VIGOROUSLY
corrupt and fraudulent canvass of the Wells
Anderson Returning Board, SO far as the can
vass of the vote of the Third Congressional
District was concerned. Your knowledge of
my public character, and known and often ex-
pressed convictions as to the fraudulent action
of this Board, of themselves. should have
been sufficient warrant and guarantee with
lyon las they are with all decent people of this
State whose good opinions value) to forbid
the bald and unsupported statements made
by you in reference to myself, and contained
in the article above quoted. t..
This article shows that you have rushed
into print in reference to matter about
which you have not taken the pains or had
the inclination correctly to inform yourself, as
shall now proceed briefly to show.
True. issued q certificate of election to
MIR. Darrall, which l understand, upon good
authority, has been fled with the Clerk of the
United States House of Representatives; but
on what authority did I issue this certificate?
On the authority of the canvass made by the
Wells Returning Board Surely I could not
be capable of so dishonest and disreputable
official act
In the certificate I granted I certified as
follows:
That c. B. Darrall had received 1897
votes.
That J. A. Breaux had received 1906
votes.
Whence did derive this data upon which
"a arfi6 oafa II.
of the Zacharis-C avanac Conservative Com
mittee, and not having the original canvass at
hand when made the certificate, I took the
figures from the Picnylne of date December |
70. 1874, containing the canvass and compils- |
ton of the Zacharie- Cavanac Committee, |
These are the head lines in the Picayune of
the date referred to, preceding the canvass |
and compilation which follows, viz:
New Orleans Picayune, Dec. %, 1874
''THE NOVEMBER ELECTION
"The Results as Compiled by the Conser-
md Sworn Statements of the Commits
sioners. if~FF
In the canvass and compilation as then
published by you as the official organ of the
Conservative Committee, (for your Mr..
W elshtman informed me at the time the can
7ass was being made that the Conservative
20 nmittee had indicated the P;caylne as lis
official organ,) the vote between Breaux and
)arrall is therein stated, and stated as I have
quoted above, and precisely as wrote it in
he certificate l issued to Mr.. Darrall.
You complain that I did not consult with
III. Breaux before I issued this certificate.
did not and for two reasons. viz:
l. Mr.. Breaux has never filed with me-
lis notice of contest. i
2 II he had fled said notice OF contest
nd | had consulted with him, 1 could not
void, as l had no inclination to avoid.
lain official duty
Our own committee had certified to Oar
oil election. That committee, as the whole
eople of the State know, were most vioilant
the discharge of their duties. l could not
behind their official action, and therefore
lr Darrell was entitled to the certificate as
r!na tacIe evidence of his right to the seat, a
1bJect to be overthrow by evidence to be
admitted by Mr.. Breaux to the House of
representatives, which l trust he may be
lccessful in doing. P
L have not hesitated to grant certificate of I
eefion to any candidate for Congress shown
have been elected by the Zacharie Cavanac
l have issued certificates to
essrs. Levy, Ellis, Gibson, Spencer and
arrall, and am ready to issue one to Nash,
hen he applies for it. The fact that the
ndidate is Democrat or Republican makes
difference with me, provided the canvass =
that committee shows his election am
strong party mana Democrat of the
taightest sect-out trust that my partyism B
IL never SO blind me as to cause my shrink
g from the discharge of plain unques- .
med duty. 1 trust you will publish In a
nspicuous part of your paper this commu-
cation in justification of my official act so
.terly complained of by you, reserving to
urself the right to comment upon the same.
Respectfully, JOHN McENERY. tn