Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1912-07-27
BERTHELOT GIVES OUT
POLITICAL STATEMENT


ditions: aThat the fight in the District
was not a personal one, that, after good
deal Of reflection he had accepted the
management of Mr.. Middleton's cam.
paign for District Attorney in opposition
to Mr.. Marrero. the present incumbent,
and that he had accepted this manage
ment subject to the approval and ratifi-
cation OF the Parish Executive Commit.
tee which is considered the Parish Politi.
cal Organization. This body fully en-
dorsed his action"
Besides Mr.. Berthelot says, Il would
never have undertaken any political
controversy of this kind without advising
with those who take the best interest OF
the Parish at heart. | advised with
friends, including Mr.. Hart of the Left
Bank, who in turn talked the matter over
with as many friends and supporters as
he could meet in the short space of time.
/ have had several long talks with my
friend, Judge Edrington. had met and
talked with several prominent gentlemen
who differed with us in the last State
fight, gentlemen who supported Hall
for Governor.
sWhile in Baton Rouge some time ago,
l was induced to meet Governor Hall
and to discuss the political situation OF
the District. There we're present at the
meeting, several gentlemen of Jefferson,
st. Charles and st. John. Among those
present we're some strong supporters OF
Governor Hall. DR.. Sidney Montegut,
with the proxy Of Mr. VIM. J. Hart; DR..
McGehee was represented by proxy, and
other strong Hall supporters IN the last
State fight. Right there and then It was
decided to organize District Committee
in regards to district affairs. We, from
St. John and st. Charles. that JET
ferson Parish, controlled by the pres-
ent party organization, headed by the
Marreros., controlled the Parishes Of st.
Charles and st. John, having in the
past more votes than these two Parishes
combined. Many people in the District
were satisfied that the registration in
Jefferson was padded with illegal voters,
and it is charged that there were half
bred mullatoes at Grand Island and un-
naturalized Italians and other foreigners
on the registration list. OF course. had
we done likewise in St. John and st.
Charles we would have had much larger
registration.
ain the distribution Of offices, Jeffer-
son took the District Attorney, the
fattest office; took the Senatorship and
gave US the Judge, but they seem to
think that the latter is their creation and
that he must not give his proxy on the
Parish Committee to endorse anyone but
Marrero. Besides there Is member Civ.
ed in the District on the Board Of Equal
ization, Jefferson gets that. There is the
Superintendent Of the colored university
at hundred dollars month; jefferson
gets that. There is Clerk OF the Oyster
Commission at one hundred and twenty
five dollars month; jefferson gets that
There is the Attorney OF the Lafourche
Levee Board at one hundred dollars per
month; Jefferson gets that. There is the
Secretary OF the Lafourche Levee Board
at one hundred and twenty-five dollars
q month; Jefferson gets that. The Of
ficial Journal OF the Lafourche Levee
Board Jefferson gets too. When the
Game Commission was organized, Mr..
Marrero wanted the District Game
Wardenship to give to friend OF his ct
Grand Island.
sUnder past conditions, in the event
Of Woodrow Wilson's election as Presi-
dent 81 the United States, Mr.. Marrero
would grab all the Offices for his friends
in Jefferson.
sThe political leaders OF st. John and
| st. Charles think it is high time to op-
pose the present organization from JET
ferson Parish, Tor the reason that an
equal division Of Offices would result,
and That square deal would be given
to all parties concerned.
sNow ! simply want to appeal to the
good people Of st. John not to allow
themselves to Be fooled with the plead.
ings Of Mr.. Marrero. He relates ina gin.
airy things about my trying to delivei
the vote Of st, John without the consent
Of the voters; that ! am Getting 30 big
Esincs my trip to Baltimore, and that
win soon forget my people. He tells you
also that / believe that / hold the votes
Of st. John b. my pocket, and that hi
has cut . hole in my pocket.
| sMr. Marrero never came 10 st. Johr
before to plead with you tor your suf
frage, but nigger got IN the wood pill
IN Je6ereon and be tells you, 81 come
here to fsce you because serious charge,
have been made against me and / wan,
| vindication.. The voters OF st. Johr
know nothing Of what Mr.. Msrrero hs,
done wrong in jefferson. WheGher thG
charges are true or not, we do not know
Owing to the personal friendship / hav,
for him, ! hope the charges are not gus
! tanned and chat he win be yindicates
Iby the Supreme Court. The fact remains
however, that heretofore Marrero did no
have 10 como to st. John and st. Char
lies Tor he knew well that there wer
enough votes on the jefferson books i
elect him and it did not make any diff
ference as the mixed breeds. Italians an.
Idead ones could elect him, but the rea
nigger in the wood pile is that q chang
has taken place. DR. Ge1pke Is now Regis
ftrar of votes and he was appointed b,