The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1905-05-20
The Governor Enters a Denial

Of | he Chief, is chccrfully accord
cd space today:
STATE OF LOUISIANA.
Excel TIvE DEPARTMENT.,
BAruN RoUGE, April 2G, 1908 J
Editor Donaldsonvillc Chief Donald
sonvillr, la.
Dear Sir enclose clipping OF cdi-
torial published in n recent issue OF
the Doualdsonvillc Chief, under the
caption, "Bruussard against Blanch-
ard " which has lust 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 your
self and requests that publicity be
given this statement.
Yours very truly,
TIIOS O. HARRIS,
Private Secretary.
The editorial referred to was
priutrd IN this paper April -,
and began with the sentence. III
common report is true, Coy. Hlan-
charl stuck his fingers IN the mn-
niriral contest in New Iberia and
DOT them burnt." The prrsump
tlon of guhrrnatorial interference
was largely based upon the state
mrnt tha: "thc sheriff of the par.
ish. Uho is regarded ~ the local
lieutenant governor led the fight
for the defeated Dupuy ticket,
while Congressman K. +. Brous
sard. bet wccn whom and Gov.
Eladchard little love is lost, took
IN active part in behalf of the OPP
position and proved y prime fac
tor 10 its success
Gov. blanchard is entitled to
have his disclaimer given the
same degree Of publicity that the
report to which he takes exccp
ton received, and il would be
contrary to the policy pursued by
The Chief throughout its entire
career % deny to anyone, whether
tho humblest citizen or the gov
ernor of the stare, the privilege of
defending himself against any &C
cnsation which may have appear
ed 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 DISPOSE
ton to question its sincerity nor
evidence upon which to found an
imputation. More than this, we
are ready to accept his statement
as conclusive of the fact involved,
aud to believe that his political
friends and representatives who
figured SO conspicuOusly in the
New Iberia election were acting
solely upon their own initiative
aud responsibility. without sug
gcStlOn or instruction from their
official chief.
We desire, however, to invite
the attention of Gov. Blanchard
and whom socvcr else 1t may con
Germ 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 III the municipal contest
at New Iberia and got them
burnt 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 inter
ference in the New Iberia contest
had been previously made and
discussed, but did not care to
take notice of this matter until it
was given currency in such re
putable and influential medium as
The Chief. If tins be so, we dOff
our hat for the compliment and
beg to assure the governor of our
high appreciation of his perspica
city.
There are several instances of
alleged uLscemly gnhernatorlal
interference which wonld appear
TO he even more worthy of notice
than the New Iberia incident, but
we will let every tub stand upon
its own bottom and refer to the
other cases hereafter.-DOnald-
Vile Chief.