The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1908-02-21

II
He charges that was opposed to the extra
session of the Legislature. did not oppose it
nor have I at any time ever expressed myself
to Mr.. Harper, or anyone else as being opposed
to it.
He charges that The Comrade is my mouth
piece That is also untrue.
In . round about way he makes q kind oil
double charge, that am trying to land myself
in ONCE by the use Of "ill- gotten dollars" He
makes this charge in general and not specific
way. He doesn't tell me what he means by
''ill-gotten dollars" neither does he tell you.
In answer to his charge want to say that II
Is both false and slanderous The books OF my
ONCE are public records. and 1 challenge him
to point to the "il- gotten dollars referred te
in his belligerent epistle.
He alleges that have received some $50. DOC
during my four wears sheriff and tax collec-
tor and undertakes to prejudice the people
against me for that reason. There is no excuse
for this kind Of an allegation except to deceive
the people. The records show that for the year
1904 collected taxes to the amount Of SIS as
for lec5 50 s24.07; for 1906, $40 s52s2 and for
1907, s14i. e3so6. Now taking per cent COM
mission for the total amount collected for the
four years and you win see that the total re-
ceipts of the tax collectors Office has been
s3oyo7s-o4. Out of this amount must come the
expense of deputies, which every man knows
amounts to large sum Of money every four
years. This IL the source from " hich the sheriff
is paid. Every man knows that leaving out
the collection OF taxes and the the sherirs
Office will not pay.
1t Is true that for the past two years, the. tai
collectors Office has paid well, but IL has never
paid the fabulous and stupendous amount
named by Mr.. Harper. In gross sum il has
paid . little more than one third the amount
named by Mr.. Harper with deputy hire and ex-
psnses to come out Of that. The assessment
rolls are here on file and will show for them
selves.
Mr.. Harper's letter seems to be sent out for
the sole purpose of getting votes. He argues
that have been in office four years, that the
extra session Of the Legislature has saved the
people Zig lot Of money by cutting down the
sherin's compensation. and for this reason 4
that my record and service count for nothing
At this point he shows you what an adept and
ingenious politician he is. He does not tell you
Al Of it. He does not tell you that for the past
four years Mr.. WATSON has been Parish Treas
u
ni6cent salary with scarcely any work to do.
He doesn't tell you that the pay of the Parish
Treasurer has been far more in proportion 70
the work done than the sheriff's once. Neither
does he tell you that the extra session abolish
ed the ONCE OF Parish Treasurer, thereby saw
ing the parish some s. 900 % year. II he had
told you Of 1t his argument would have dis
qualified Mr. WATSON with the same kind Of
logic he was trying to dissualify me.
His allegation that Mr.. WATSON Is Q reformer,
that he was the first man to advocate reforms
and that he was largely instrumental in induc-
ing the Governor to call the extra session,
sounds more iudicrous than serious when 1
nrst heard Mr.. WATSON making that claim I
thought he was joking. and believe TIL yet
that he was
His offer to collect school taxes without
commission was plank in his platform to
get votes Colvin of Lincoln and Oxford of
Jackson parish both had 1t in their platforms
four years ago, rs well as other candidates all
over the state- At the last session OF the Leg
stature, the Hunsicker bill, which was very
much like the bin passed by the extra session,
was introduced and gained statewide reputa-
ton.
In the last day or two hear that Am chsrg-
Cd with circulating . report that Mr.. WATSON
was short in his public account. This 10 also
false, have never charged. Mr.. WATSON With
being short IN his account or with any thing
unclean. a. have said publicly and every
other way that was not seeking election on
the faults or Shortcomings of my opponents,
but on my merit.
This report il also being circulated by his
friends TO injure me-
But this letter IL already too long. want to
say in conclusion that am not q sensational
list. neither do want to gain your vote by false
charges or appeals to yonr prejudice have
been in once four years- Mr.. WATSON has been
IN the Parish Treasurer's ONCE four years, and
don't xnow how long in the Police Jury be-
fore then.
am standing for reelection on my record -
an odieer. do not believe in . "pud-siins-
ing campaign
have been your public servant for four
yeArs, and II you think have made you . good
olRcer, II you think have tried to follow the
mandates OF the Law, Civ: me an endorsement
Il Ii democratic to endorse an ofacer who has
done his duty. Il encourages Others 10 do their
duty.
Whstever yon do. win ever be grateful for
what you have done for me already. and with
IN abiding faith that ron win not allow ne "a
BE injured BY Mr. HArper's letter add asking
you - sndorss me and vote for me on February
16<h- An your obedient servant.
+. L. SHAW.