The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-18
ACKLEN-D ARRALL.
THE EARLY HISTORY or THE CONTEST
HOW ACKLEN WAS ELECTED.

AND HOW the Votes Were Counted by til,
Hundred for DarralI.
Desiring 10 secure, as far az possible, the bot
com facts in regard TO the Aoklen. Darrsll coptes
and knowing that the earlier history of that mat
ter would be interesting. DEMOCRAT reporter
yesterday sought and interviewed Geo. D. Loud
Esq, who has taken prominent part in the con.
test.
Mr.. Loud, after being pushed, yielded TO the
pressure, ss will be seen below.
Reporter-Mr. Loud, will you give me ths
early history Of The Acken- Dsrrsl contest.
Mr.. L.--Yss sir, az far as the facts have come
within my knowledge.
Isep.4You saw the portion OF the printed tes
timony published In one OF The oity papers2
Mr.. L.-Yes. and IS you represent the onl,
paper which IL inclined TO do either Dol. Aoklen
or myself Justice, might take occasion here to
say that the manner in which that Was published
WAS calculated TO mslead the public as regards
my connection with the matter.
Hep-How SOP
MIR. L. Because. for one reason, the Times, par
ticularly in It's editorial reference TO the case,
characterized, inferentially, not only myself
but all who had shown an interest in COL Aoken'e
success. as q lot Of scamps, and think my course
in supporting Ool Aoklen during the election
should be regarded with some indulgence in this
community, and particularly by paper claiming
To represent the sentiments Of our people.
Rep.AExcuse me, but you are known as Re.
publican. Do you mean that the Times ia recog-
nized ~ representing the sentiments OF your
party2
MIR. L.--Yes, to q certain extent, even though
it claims TO be conservative.
Rep.--What brought about the opposition to
DArfall in your parish, Iberville2 Will you give
me the history Of that opposition
MIR. L.--Yes. AS fer back as the meeting OF
the State convention, at which time Dsrrall
WAS nominated for Congress, w. W.
Wharton, who WAS candidate for The State SEN
ate from the Fourteenth District, and also dele
gate ana chairman OF the congressional oonven-
zion, there was strong feeling, not only on the
part OF Wharton, but Of the entire Iberville del
egation, against Darrsll for his advocacy OF the
claims OF Wakefield for Senator When The oon-
gressional convestion adjourned, subject to the
call OF Wharton, chairman, Dsrrall manifested
great anxiety aud uneasiness concerning his own
nomination, and only by appeal to Wharton and
promising him unqualified support, Wharton re-
assembled the convention and allowed Dsrrall to
receive the nomination. Subsequently when
Wharton was nominated for state Senator, Oar
rail- immediately broke faith and commenced a
new. warfare by his support Of Wakefield. the
boiling candidate.
Rep What action did Wharton take them
Mr. L.--It was then that Wharton threatened
Darralps defeat IL he tDarrall) did not cesse his
opposition, and accord Wharton the same sup.
port to which he was entitled rs party nominee
Wharton made no secret Of his threat. To sew
eral members of the State committee, TO Gov.
Kellogg, and once, think TO the parish commit
tee OF Ibervile. Wharton com munioated his
threat. and there was an almost unanimous senti-
ment on the part Of the Iberve committee that
DArrall would be righteously dealt with If de-
feated, for his interference 10 this senatorial con-
test. Only few days anterior TO the election in
ibervllle Wharton informed Darrsll in presence
Of several persons, including ek.Oongressman
Morey, that he would defeat him. | also informed
Darrall that he had made = mistake, and that
wharton was III earnest and not by any means in
lest and advised Darrau by oil means to oon-
ciliate Wharton ii possible before the election.
Rep.--Why did you do tbis7 Was Wharton
strong In the psrish-that is with the Republi-
Mr.. LII felt satisfied of wharton's ability to
defeat Darrall. for he was at the time invnoible
in the parish, and had control of the parish COM
Inittee. They (the comrlittee) reft cd TO in
dorse Darrall In obedience TO Wharton, and 1
was informed by many Of the leading members
Of the committee. such IS Deslonde. the presi.
dent: Crowel1 Barnes, Preston. Ennis. Gordon,
Verrett, that they would cooperate with Wbar-
ton In any movement TO defeat Darrall. Up to
this time, shortly before the election. was an
active supporter of Darrall, although had as
good and justifabe reasons to be hostile towards
him az Wharton. Darrsll was well aware of the
feeling In Iberville. but he seemed Indifferent
about II. relying upon his nomination and the
usual promises he makes 10 Republicans, dtte,.
re ,s elected. to frown down this opposition in |
IDerville.
Rep.--How came you to supper. COL Acklepp
mr.. liz Wharton urged me strongly to do 80, !
but felt very much disinolined TO oppose Oar.
rail-, and informed Wharton of my reasons.
which were that could not well afford to take |
the chances, which would result in the event OF /
Darralls election In bitter opposition from Oar.
rail-, and might bring upon me tho antagonism |
Of the State administration for having Supported |
Democrat. However, Darrall never stood remark
ably well with Kellogg, and l was satisfied that
he would not draw much water with Gov. Pack
ard after his election for he played fast and loose
with Packard In the State convention by voting
against Stamps for chairman but this was not
Auficient TO persuade me, and only when became
convinced that would be standing almost alone
10 Iberville din lshis fight. did give the matter
mind fully Wharton came TO New Orleans and
had the tickets for Iberville printed ut Hopkins
printing office. Story Building. He had three
kinds OF tickets printed as regular Republican
with that OF Acklen and q third with no name
Tor Congress printed thereon. I discussed the
matter with Wharton and the peculiar position
which occupied, remarking also, that while he
could Afford 10 be independent in this fight no |
matter whether successful or not, as it was only
paying Darrall in his own coin, must have come
satisfactory understanding with Col. Acklen be.
[ore could "fall into line" on this question. He
lWhsrton) told me that wss q matter between
Acklen and myself, and suggested that should
ice Col. Acklen.
Rep.-Did you see Dol. Acklen at the timer
MIR. L.--Yes, sir.
Rep.-Whst was the understanding arrived at
.etween you
MIR. Lie told me that he presumed felt a
eluctsnoy about supporting Democratic cand-
late. but that he felt confident OF his ability to |
epreRent as faithfully. oonscientiously aud as
the people of the Third District in .
he National Legislature as Darrall had done. 1
ould not but feel chsgrined At this painfully COR
cot ellusion to Darralfs efficiency, for knew |
hat during those seven years Darrsli had rep
the district 10 Congress no one had ever
leard OF any speech the Doctor had made, or any 9
I'LL that he had engineered through TO become an
OF Of Congress-; in fact, no sharp work of sny I
ind, except 1t was to dodge tho OWL Rights bill
cry cleverly every time 1t came mp. MIR. Acklen
vas very anxious that l should assist him in the
lection.
Rep.--Why was he so anxioue2 Was IL on 40. I