The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1912-08-02

With reference to the position taken
by the LeBleu families living north CT
Iowa, as referred to by the Jennings
scribe, we would simply say this that
Mayor j. G. LeBleu, who is not Onlv
the recognized leader OF the LeBleu
set 'ement, but is one Of the leading
men OF his entire ward, having served
it on tie police jury for many years
was staunch advocate of the River
to River lines, and at the Ward Nire
Mass Meeting that selected Delegates
for the May 4th convention at Lake
Charles, it was Mayor LeBleu who
made the motion that the Ward Nine
, Delegates be instructed to stand for
the River to River Lines,
The writer further states that, "If O.
straight line had been drawn, as
argued for by the present faction
lighting against Jennings, ut the Same
time leaving out those factions de-
manding it there could not have been
sufficient territory acquired to have
formed IA parish" Why did he not
state the whole truth, aud say if u
straight line had been drawn leaving
out those sections of the parish de-
handing it, there would have been
little left in the new parish excelt
Ward Ten, as it was practically tie
only portion CT what is now confined
within the limits Of jefferson Davis
parish, but what opposed being left in
q parish with Jennings.
The climax is reached when tie
writer asserts that Jennings absolute
lY denies responsibility for the
crooked lines on the west, and tries to
Tx this blame on Welsh.
This assertion is so absurd as TO be
unworthy the consideration of paper
that has real live issues to discuss,
and yet less any one should be mislead
by such falacious assertions We will
draw a few comparisons tina. will let
the light in on this subject that our
Jennings friends are irving so lard TO
becloud.
In the Lake Charles Convention that
fixed the boundry line neither tie
Jennings delegation nor any of their
adherents offered a word of protest
against the crooked lines on the west,
while the Welsh and Iowa delegates
made strenuous profess against this
crooked line. After the Legislature as
sembfed there was not a protest before
that body against these crooked lines
from a single member of the parish
division delegates, or for that maker
from any other prominent Innings
citizen, while men from Welsh spent
days and weeks in Baton Rouge en-
deavUring to secure Il strengthening
of these same crooked lines. Further
more at this same time the Welsh
delegation secured aud presented to
the legislature petitions from practl-
cally every voter along the crooked
| line asking that it be straiUhtened aud
sufficient new territory be taken into
Jefferson Davis parish TO accomplish
this, but fearing the accession of votes
that would not favor the Eastern
Border Town for the parish seat. the
Jennings delegates either openly OPP.
possed strengthening the west line, or
failed absolutely to lend any assist
ance toward securing it. TO Jennings
and Jennings onlv is due the contour
Of our western border
If the wisdom of future generations
shall discover that the division Of
| Calcaseu parish at this time, and the
| setting off of Jefferson Davis parish
with her crooked western border and
the bare minimum Of territory re-
CURED to constitute parish, was an
an advantage to the people Of the
parish, then all due credit must be ac-
corded TO jennings for the act But
until such future wisdom discovers
such, as vet unseen advantages, the
condemnation and distrust Of an out
ragged people, whose wishes, which
were plain expressed bv their vote
two years ago, and before whom the
advocates of division were afraid to
submit their cause this year, must fer
ey2r cling to Jennings, who after SIX
teen years has won the tight that will
now consign her 10 deeper eblivian
than she already enjoys.
| .
Tho IadiaS nj tho Raptict nhuroh