New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-16


MAJohITY - GOVERNOR MeENERYs
PLEDGES FOR FAIR ELECTION
OVERCOME BY THE BULLDoZ
EAs - CONSPIRACY To
CARRY THE NORTH.
ERN PARISHES
BY FRAUD.
10 fhe Edftor Of The Tribune
SIR You ask Of me the situation and chances An
our louisiana Republican campaign All centr.s an
once III the extent to which our Republican vote In
10 oe suppressed The prime efforts Of my can.
palsn to begin with, have looked to the wiping ous
of the color line the rallying OF the blacks abops
the more intelligent AMI literally disposed whites
IN the securing OF good local governments the secur-
ing thereby of something Of show Of fair election
ana fair count for Republican state ticket
Inc olscKs have everywhere heartily responded
nave cheeully surrendered all claims to local recog,
milton, have rendered their united vote and hava
asked only that, they be protected In their sffrages
and that their State ticket be fairly counted Tbs
Republican vote thus stands solldly pledged in New.
orleans. There IS here the regular ring and the
founS Mems Independent ticket the latter seeking
reform In government too grlevous TO be borne
There is an aggregate registered colored Republican
vote OF some 1900. 1t covers about one-thrd Of
the registration
There IS the very respectable white Republican
Vote IN addition. All Is Internationally pledged in
the interest of good government For this GOOD gov.
erhment IL secured the good citizens OF New-Orieans
VIII be indebted to the Republicans The good ctt,.
zens are simply expected, in honor hold themselves
morally bound in exchange secure for our Repub.
lican state ticket fair and honest showing Tho
conditions are largely the same throug ughou the State
The issue mostly hinges, after all upon the ext.nt
to which tho blacks to be practically denied ther
right TO the ballot. The aggregate strength of thi,
coiored vote compared with tho white vote may be
approximately reached through the census. Louisiana
appears with her Gfty-eght counties or parishes
: oft acbav
twenty-five show the preponderance of whites Tako
tho ootngs OF 1880 for the thirty-slx parishes as
whole. They give 334,55O blacks, against I5s75s
whites. The ratio OF males over twenty one uI51I3,
to tho total population in 1850 about l to 4 L.
The proportlonate increase In population since 1850
gives 46o,54S blacks to l91,9s7 whites Applying tho
ratio, we find ,394 coored, against 40, ,663 whits
voters, or a majority OF 50691 colored voters fos
thrtysix parishes
In the twenty-five parishes the population OF 1883
Is estimated at 359,637 whites and 170, ,616 blacks
Again applying the ratio, have 79,0l9 white and
39913 colored voters, 4OOO6 white majority Carry.
Ing these figures to conclusion, we find 1o676
colored majority in the state, figuring upon the basis
of the entire body Of males over twenty-one. Allow
the deduction Of 5000 from the whites for resident
aliens, and the result IS aggregate of 24G75 as tbs
actual colored voting majority for tho State
The figures legitimate deductions from the GEN.
sus tables They must be accepted as approximate
ly correct. Any immigration may te counted as
quito as largely cOlJrcd white. The showngs arc
seemingly conclusive that the cooled voters have Of
themselves to-day not far from $4,000 majority in
Louisiana
FAIR FIGHTING CHANCE WOULD GIVE 10000
MAJORITY
These colored voters colored Republican voters.
Not five per cent arc to be counted In fairness for
the Democrats. Tho masses reliably Republican
Just In proportion Louisiana Is permitted frcs
and fair elections There is TO be fairly added in
our present campaign large Republican vote among
the whites. The old time prejudlces are giving way
TO the logic OF events. The tariff Issues protection
for sugar and rice have been brought home, and
have borne fruit. The growing interest in immgra-
ton, the wretched State and municipal governments,
all operate in favor The teachings of the CAM
pagn prompt the honest belief that, taking all in ALL
thirty per cent Of the white vote should be fairly
assumed as favorable to Republican State ticket.
We should carry Louisiana, satisfied, with fair
fighting chance by not less than 10000 majority.
The burning question is the fonibe and
fraudulent suppression Of the Republican voto.
There are other possible means by which
Louisiana may be carried by the Democrats. Cow
enor McEnery is authority TO how it has been
done. In "The New orleans Pcayune" of October
% he IS reported saying that "he supremacy Of
The rhie achered By he rtolattOn Of the ctrd
rights gtoroeed to the blacks By the Constitution Of tho
United S.1es and by The Constitution of his state"
Gubernatorial nomination wholly upon the issues Of
reform. McEnery was openly and persistently de-
nounced holding power only through the agencies
of bulldozing and ballot stufling. The matter
brought homo hot and heavy that nc fe5
called upon to pledge new dlspensatiOn. He gave
the following public pledge:
81 pledge you here tonight that not only in tho
city OF New-oreans but throughout the State of
louisiana will see honest and fair election; THAI
every vote cast counted deposited, and that
substitution of ballots is practised but that the voice
Of all the voters In the state, deposited IN tho
ballot box, shall find expression and receive recog-
milton, and the officers elected commissioned. To
that end l VIII any registrar or returning
officer in the city state whom have reason to be-
lleve Will aid in the suppression changing Of tho
popular WILL
Governor McEnery's promised reform was not ac-
ceptcd by the reformers. McEnery was defeated in
the convention. His managers, smarting under do
feat demanded a resolution indOrsng the McEnery
administration. The Nichols management indig
nanty refused. James d. Houston McEnery's leader,
forced them to terms Mr.. Houston threatened that
he would personally to it that Governor McEnery
In truth enforced a free and fair election. Tho
Nichols management cOwed before the threat The
resolution demanded was promptly passed
GOVERNOR McENERY'S CHANGE OF HEART.
Tho Republican nomination Was forced upon
against my every wish had given up all political
ambition. / knew but too well the obstacles TO be
overcome. l consented only after carefully canvass
ing the field, and when reasonably assured OF fight
ing chance | could but have faith In the public
pledge of the Chief Executive Of the state Governor
McEnery was of record publicly pledged to a freo
ballot and fair count pledge which he reiterated
almost daily among his friends. was not yet alto
eether satisfied about the free ballot and fair count
until after having interview with Governor Mem
cry myself He gave me 10 understand distinctly
enough, that l was free TO go ahead with my cam
palgn that no difficulties should be put In my way
The pledges made In the presence and hearing
Of my friend, General McMlllen. They were in sub.
stance subsequently, reiterated by Governor McEnery
10 each of several different parties, whose names
have. l had thus. in accepting the nomination, and
entering upon the campaign at least a reasonable as
surance. 1 held the pledge OF the Chief Executive Of
the state Of Louisiana.
A free ballot and fair count II meaning anything
coLLl lha u-lL-