St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1882-11-04
WHO is TRACER?

4 Picdg,tne reporter narrates MS
interview with Souer, the first ke-
publican nominee for this Congress
sional District, but who declined
after TRACER was nominated at an,
other convention, as follows:
What are the true inward
causes that prompted YOU to de-
cline the nomination. asked the
reporter. 1T appears to be gener-
ally understood that you were tie
regular nominee?
Souer replied: ga sincere wish
to be no impeachment to the har-
mony OF my party or place my
friends in false position Though
nominated by the regular conven-
ton that was composed of the rep
resentative Republicans in the dis
trict, whose names are a sufficient
guarantee that / would receive an
Overwhelming majority of the Re-
publican votes, the developments
since the adjournment of the con-
vention make lin acceptance of the
honor rendered me n motor that
would simply be aiding the schemes
of the candidate of the Red River
Landing Convention"
"dow would you be aiding him
when you claim that your friends
can carry majority of the Repub-
lican voters for you? 1t would
seem to be dividing his vote. rathe@
than aiding him."
mo. sir. The noninatioa Of Mr..
TRACER is not a bona tide one, but
he is the candidate of the Peniten-
tiary ring, with whom he is part
ner in ,Horkin. convict labor upon
plantations. The Convention of
Red River Landing. as well as the
committee that originated it, was
set up by this concern, bought and
paid for with the concerns money.
1t would be folly to presume that a
legitimate convention of the repre-
sentative Republicans of this or any
other district, whose voters are the
tillers of the soil, would nominate a
man for Congress who brought
convict labor into competition with
their own. AIR. Tsager informs me
that he worked convict labor in
nearly all the river parishes in ths>
district, including Avoyelles. This
fact, as well as his acknowledged
partnership with the Penitentiary
ring, is sufficient tosprevert him
from receiving nomination as a
ward constable in any of the. par
ishes named"
What interests do the lessees of
the Penitentiary have in securing
tue nomination of Republican for
Congress?"
THE hope of protection for their
pretended lease, which was attacked
i'll the last Legislature by many of
the most prominent members of
both Houses. Placing their part
her i'll the field as candidate. it is
supposed, would check the growing
St rtiment against .hsa, by claill-
ing they had saved a Congressman"
The reporter seemed incredulous,
and inquired how this would be ac-
complisheh. Gen. Souer continued:
with TRACER as the Republican
nominee, lie would make Lo can
vass, and. therefore, insure General
Heron a walk over" and protect
his seat against Il contest. If two
Republican candidates. were in the
field Gen. Heron would be still
more secure, as a contest under
such circumstances from either
would be absurd"
why do You put so much stress
upon prospective contest?"
Because the district is Republic
can by from 5000 to 5000 majority.
on u full vote, and thorough or
ganization and canvass would give
that result, or there would be some
reason why. There lave been some
slight irregularities 10 the district.
you remember, no doubt" the Gem
eral added, with quiet smile.
"Trager seems to be quite I'M
known in the district, Judging from
the comments of the press of the
country. Do you know his record?'
|, No, sir, only what he has stated
to me personally. He states that
he was spy during the war, and
was afterward made Consul to Bou-
logne, as reward. ! presume, for
his services. He is now the part,
ner of tae Penitentiary lessees. I
have no doubt any convict or ex-
convict who has been associated