The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1908-01-25
CANDIDATE DUROcHER'S
CIRCULAR LETTER
PLAINLY OUTLINES HIS DEFENCE
Il. KES STATEMENT CON-
ING FALSE CHARGES
I4-AT HAVE BEEN CIRCULATED
LGLINST HIM.

Believeing in the fairness Of Il
people OF this Parish, l wish to sui
NIT the following statements OF fact
which l deem necessary for them I
know On the eve Of the Democrat
Primary, to the end that they ma
Judge fairly between my candidac
and that of my opponent, Georg
Hederson. the incumbent of the Of
fee Of Sheriff, who has held said OF
11ce for the last eight years.
When | announced my candidac
for the Office OF Sheriff. had hope
that the campaign would be conduct
ed on a high plane and up to tn
present time. have confined my cam
paign to presentation of my claim
to said Office.
At the opening of the parish cam
paign. however irresponsible partie
were armed with copy of Judge
ment held against me by Mr.. Leor
Dreyfus, and these were paraded al
over the Parish to create the impress
sion that I did not pay my debts.
OF this judgement l will have more
to say later.
treated this charge, purely pri,
vate matter between my creditor and
myself with the contempt it deserv-
ed.
A frivilous suit was then brought
against me, and notice to the public
was advertised IN big headlines, in
the partisan evening paper OF my OPP
ponent.
The facts about this suit are:
In 1904, having 100000 in cash.
! undertook crop of rice. The Jean
erette Rice and Milling Co. Ltd, own.
ing the rice mill at Jeanerette. agreed
to advance me $4,000 and rice
seed. The company failed to furnish
the seed, which I had to purchase out
Of the fund l had.
As consequence I ran short of
money in the summer and was COM
PEELED to abandon the crop, which
remained without water for about
six weeks. At that time the COM
pany asked me to save what was left
Of the crop. did this, the company
paying my labor roll. l turned all
the rice over to the company amount
ing to 709 sacks. The company new
er furnished me with any statement
though l demanded same. No de-
mand was ever made on me for a set
Element. The company sold out the
mill and all was at an end.
/ was mayor of Jeanerette at the
time. and two years later I stood for
reelection as Mayor, and though the
camp ign was hard one, no one ever
chage ! me with failure to pay my
deb nor was any suit mentioned. 1t
was 'ly after had been reelected
Ma. q. and had announced my Candi-
cac, or Sheriff that without reso-
to be the President filed this suit. II
owe nothing to this supposed COM
pany.
Some of the Stockholders, indig-
nant at this action and knowing the
real purpose Of this suit, have given
me their stock In the concern. l now
own thirty-six shares OF the capital |
stock Of this company, presented me
free.
The judgement OF Mr.. Dreyfus.
grew out Of the same rice crop trans
action AZ did the suit. Had l wanted
to dodge the payment Of this judge
mont. l could easily have availed my!
Delf OF the National Bankruptcy law i.
Ind obtained an absolute release from
{. But / have never lodged an honest
asbt AZ soon a. / got the money II,
paid the judgement and It is now
/,
wish to compare this record with
hat OF my opponent, George Hen
Ierson. who doubtless melted these I,
ution OF the Board. II indeed there
vas . Board. J. G. Akers, claiming 1
'harges against me. as to the pay
nent Of his most sacred public OBJ
lgation-the payment OF his taxes.
10 bought q plantation In the second !,
Ward Of this parish in 1905, for
100000 and 1t was assessed
sainst him for ss.os0.o0 for that ,
ar. Il
In 1906, the Assessment rolls failed I
, show this plantation as assessed i
certified copy of the Sheriff's sup /
lemental rolls fer 1906 was obtain i
from the State Auditor, and 4
lOugh this roll, filed August LIST, Z
)07. contained over $50 pieces or >
'operty un-assessad and placed on q
ID roll BY the Sheriff, still the I,
leriR forgot to put his own plan
ton on the supplemental roll and q
llect taxes on It. The assessment Ii
IL for 1907. again failed to show 4
It this plantation was assessed. Id
On December 3Sth 1907. Congress- A
y Broussard At = meeting in the N