St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1916-01-22

We have DeIOFe ub lHe Opelousds
enterprise, wherein appears a speech
which is supposed to fave been made
by Sheriff Swords in The interest of
lis candidacy, at Washington. We
shall not undertake discussion of
the issues raised by the Sheriff in this
speech because some are so purile, so
ludicrous as to be unwbrthy Of serious
consideration. We have naught to do
with the personal matters or personal
discussions which the Sheriff has seen
ft to inject in his speech, but there
IRE some passages which we cannot
permit to go unchallenged.
In the 1abored effort he seeks TO
make the people of this Parish believe
that he has heretofore taken upon him.
self to act as the POLITICAL foster father
of b. M. Fontenot and in this speech
be says. Darius Fontenot did not
have time to celebrate his advent into
Office III 1908 be cause put him in too
quick For bold audacity and unmiti-
gated gaul, this statement is the limit.
Every man familiar with the political
history of this Parish during the year
1908 knows that Sheriff Swords is as
much responsible for the election OF
Darius Fontenot as Assessor as were
the gentlemen who were supporting
the candidacy of the other two oppos-
ing him. Everybody knows or should
know, because 1t is fact, that in
that campaign Messrs. Dossman, An
lrepont and Swords were supporting
the candidacy of Mr. Adraste Laf1eur
for Assessor and that the opposing po-
iitical faction were supporting the can
didacy of A. H. Mouton. Everybody
knows that d. M. Fonttenot, unassist.
ed by any political faction. with the
politicians divided into swo hostile
camps, announced himsen as a cand1-
date for Assessor on non-partisan
ticket. With no other asset but an
honorable name he launched his can
dldacy and appealed directly to the
voters of this parish for their support.
BY his untiring efforts he so won the
confidence and esteem of the voters
Of this parish that in that contest he
led In the race for Assessor by 750
votes ahead Of the next highest man.
Now il Sheriff Swords was support
ing Lafeur, as he must admit If he
wishes to be honest, in the name of
common sense, how can he claim 20
be responsible for the election Of
Darius r ntenot as Assessor. But it
will be remembered that the Sheriff
himself had serious fight on hand
at that time. There were four can
didates for Sheriff and in the first
primary the race was narrowed down
TO contest between Swords and A.
". Dejean. The other two candidates
Tor sheriff had rendered their support
- the second primary to Dejean and
the result of the second primary was
matter of serious and grave con-
sideration to Sheriff Swords. When
he found that his candidate for As.
SCISSOR had failed to lead in the first
but that the independent non.
partisan candidate, Fontenot, had de-
Feloped more strength than he, a
shrewd politician, had given him credit
for, he bestirred himself to eliminate
rom the second primary any contest |
Tor Assessor. OF course he had no
claims on Fontenot and had no reason
% approach him to assist him in the
second primary, but eliminated this
second fight for Assessor, which might
seriously jeopardize his own nomina.
lion He called upon Mr.. Lafleur, his
riend and his candidate, to withdraw I
nom the race, urging as a reason
that 1t might result in his own defeat i
should there be second primary for
Assessor. Mr.. Lafleur acceeded to I
The demand of his friend Swords and
withdrew from the race. Sheriff /
Swords said that he paid Mr.. Lafieur
Three Hundred Dollars and would
have the people of this parish to be.
ieye that this payment was made In
ne interest of some other than him
self. The manager of this paper
knows too well that entire transaction
o permit the people to be deceived by
MS unwarranted aspersion as against
young man who has always lived an
aonest and upright life and always
net his responsibilities at their ma.
.urity. The payment by Sheriff
swords was entirely in his own inter.
st It was to eliminate second pri.
nary for Assessor and to prevent the
possibility Of combination in the
second primary between A. w. Dejean,
'andidate for Sheriff, and either Mr..
Iafleur or Mr.. Fontenot, as the case