St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1911-10-21
OPELoUsAs, La, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2l 1911
SHERIFF SWORDS AN.
SWERS "OBSERVER"
WITH PAST RECORD
OpeIousas, Oct. Is, 1911.

Opelousas, Oct. Is, 1911.
Editor st. Landry Clarion:
The st. Landry Commoner o1
18th inst, has a communication
which is hereto attached:
''On Monday afternoon, at the
old Lacombe Hotel, some fifty
representative citizens from
Leonville, Arnaudyille, Grand
Coteau, Coulee Croche, Mallet,
Barbreck, Big Cane, Morrow,
Grand Prairie and other points,
assembled to voice their senti-
ments in favor Of Mr.. Thibo-
deau and against Sheriff Swords.
Judge E. T. Lewis called the
meeting to order. He made a
ringing address in favor of the
candidacy of Mr.. Thibodeaux,
Judge Pavy, District Attorney
Garland, John w. Lewis, Dudley
L. Guilbeau and Louis F. Sibille
also addressed the meeting. The
arraignment of Sheriff Swords
was terrific. He was charged
with inefficiency. Gentlemen in
a position to know so declared
and pointed to many instances
evidencing this fact.
''Mr. Thibodeaux was eulog-
lied as an honest man, a debt
paying one, a hard working citi-
zen, who had succeeded in life
under every adverse circum-
stance.
This is a straw indicative of
how the wind is blowing in this
parish.
Swords is at the end of his
rope. His political star has set.
The tide has turned Thibodeaux-
ward. He is going to be elected
sheriff by a handsome majority.
Mondays gathering attested and
emphasized this fact.
OBSERVER. /"
/ had hoped to go through this
campaign without reference to
any local candidate, except my
self, but when | am attacked be-
hind closed doors and in genuine
star chamber process. arraigned
terrifcally, | deem it proper to
state my past political record
that the young voters may know
for what and for whom I have
stood in the past.
Ny first vote was cast in Point
Coupee. I was a delegate from
the first ward of that parish and
seconded the nomination of
Sheriff E. G. Beuker for his Sec
ond term, and he is still Sheriff
Of that parish. | was a delegate
from Point Coupee to the Sena-
torial and judicial Conventions
in the year 1879. After return
ing to st. Landry, my native
parish, in 1881, | was a delegate
to every Democratic Convention
held in St. Landry, except one.
supported that gallant old hero,
Francis T. Nichols, with all the
ardor of youth for his second
term. I was a delegate to nearly |
every State and Congressional
Convention since my advent in
politics here, and attended the
National Convention in 1900 as a
delegate that nominated Bryan
at Kansas City. I was dele
gate to the District convention
that nominated Judge E. T.
Lewis for the Senate, when he
Hon. T. S. Fontenot,
resigned. | supported Murphy
J. Foster for both terms. / was
Chairman of the Demo-
cratic Party by an overwhelming
vote in convention for faithful
work, and was the Chairman of
i united Democracy until the
Louisiana Lottery campaign split
he party in twain, after which |
acted as Chairman of the anti
ottery or regular Democratic
1arty, and Mr.. H. E. Estorge
vas selected as the Chairman of
he lottery wing.
After years of wrangling the
State Central Committee ordered
he divided party to submit their
,laims to a white primary, and
Ir. Estorge was declared the
chairman of the reunited Demo
racy.
A convention to nominate a
Democratic State ticket was
allied to meet in December 1895
n the city of Shreveport. The
7hairrnan called mass meetings
r each ward on a Sunday to
elect delegates from each ward.
he object to eliminate the
:hurch people did not work, and /
1l oore than three-fourths of the
IaIeoates were elected from the
faction. I was
NO 20 elected from the fourth ward.
h have supported the Lewis fac /
ion r in every fight. | have |
,G ,tG11mped the parish and paid my :
wn m bills in every fight made by :
,'doe " i / ,ewis since my return to
: f,andry. In the last Judicial
i, lection 1 worked for Judge
,eU 'ewis with unwavering fidelity.
had my deputy-tax-collector !;
.ais;no sneeches for him in