The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-05-06


that depends upon such bolstering is
presumptively weak and devoid OF
merit
The Governor Enters Denial.
The following communication which
reached the editor too late for inser-
ton in last weeks issue of The Chief,
is cheerfully accorded space today:
STATE or LOUISIANA,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
BATON Rouge. April rs, 1905.
Editor Donaldsonville Chief, Donaldsonvilie,
Dear sir-I enclose clipping of editorial pub
Chief, under the caption, .Broussard against
Blanchard = which has just been called to the
attention of the governor
He directs me to say to you that he had
nothing whatever to do with the election in
New Iberia-took no more part in it, in fact.
than you did yonrself-and requests that pub
licity be given this statement.
THos. Q. HARRIS,
Private Secretary.
The editorial referred to was printed
ia this paper April %, and began with
the sentence, IF common report is
true, Gov. Blanchard stuck his fingers
in the municipal contest in New Iberia
and got them burnt" The presumption
of gubern atoriaI interference was
largely based upon the statement that
1.-THE sheriff of the parish, who is re-
garded as the local lieutenant gov
ernor, led the fight for the defeated
Dupuy ticket, while Congressman r.
F. Brouss ard between whom and Gov.
Blanchard little love is lost, took an
active part in behalf of the opposition
and proved a prime factor in it's sue
#cess.''
Gov. Blanchard is entitled to have
his disclaimer given the same degree
OF publicity that the report to which
he takes exception received, and it
would be contrary to the policy pur
sued by The Chief throughout its en-
tire career to deny 30 anyone, whether
the humblest citizen Or the governor
OF the state, the privilege Of defending
himself against any accusa alton which
may have appeared in its columns.
Not only do we willingly print the
governors declaration that he had
nothing whatever to do with the election
in New Iberia, but we have neither
the disposition to question its SINGER
ity nor evidence upon which TO found
an imputation. More than this, we are
ready to accept his statement as con-
elusive of the fact involved, and to
believe that his political friends and
Representatives who figured SO con
spicuousIy in the New Iberia election
were acting solely upon their own in
itiative and responsibility, without
suggestion or instruction from their
official chief.
We desire, however, to invite the at
tention OF Gov. Blanchard and whom
soever else it may concern to the fact
that The Chief did not originate and
was not the first paper to publish the
report that the governor had 'stuck
his fingers in the municipal contest at
New Iberia and gou them burnt.n We
received the charge at second hand
and accepted it upon the strength of
testimony and precedent that seemed at
least reasonable If not conclusive.
Perhaps the governor was aware that
the accusation Of his interference in
the New Iberia contest had been pre-
vious1y made and discussed, but did
not care TO take notice of this matter
until it was given currency in such
reputable and influential medium as
The Chief. If this be so, we doff our
hat for the compliment and beg to as
sure the governor of our high appre-
citation Of his persp icacity.
There are several instances of al
legged unseemly gubernatorial interior
ence which would appear to be even
more worthy of notice than the New
Iberia incident, but we will let every
tub stand upon its own bottom and re-
fer to the other cases hereafter.
Members of the Louisiana Press
Association who have not yet advised
Secretary Bentley of their intention
to attend the Thibadaux meeting are
requested to do SO at once n order
that be can notify the local entertain
ment committee how many guests to
prepare for. The list for the Havana
excursion IS about full, and it is doubt
ful 4 applications coming il alter
TINS week can be given favorable con-
sideratlon. The sea voya has proved
a drawing card. and the present pros
pect is that the Southern Pacific steam
ships cabin will be crowded TO it's