The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1921-05-14
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

--lJ----~---
Through the columns OF The
Rice Belt Journal | shall endeaVor
To- make myself clearly under
stood in regard to our recent cam
paign and election, held IN the
Town of Welsh.
In as much as rumor has it that
/ am in a large measure respon-
sible for the results of the cleo
ton. First, | wish to make known
and to remind all men concerned
that, being a free American citi-
zen | am granted rights as such
| did take such part in the cam
paign as | thought just and right,
but did never attempt to dictate to
anyone, or even suggest as to how
thew cast their ballot. This be-
ing true, am not responsible for
the peoples action. in the matter.
Secondly, have been inform
ed that on several occasions prior
to the election am accused OF
holding public and private meet
ings in behalf of certain candl-
dates. | wish to brand the state
ment as false, regardless OF who
made if, as | did not attend a sim
gle meeting, either public or prl-
vate. am frank in saying to the
public that | did defend my friend
MIR. R. F. Weichert, on every occa-
sion and my reason for so do
ing-I felt that he was being UNI
Justly used by a few people for
reasons unknown to me until
| this hour. | felt that he was the
choice of a representative people
at the caucus, and could see no
reason for eliminating him from
| the election.
| defended and supported Mr.
lWeichert from the viewpoint of
his being, if not the best, one of
the best qualified men in the town
of Welsh to handle its affairs
relative to our schools and other
public business, to be handled to
1.-THE best interest Of the most peo-
pie. i, + these reasons | supported
him and | haven't the slightest re.
greet for doing and no apologies
to .oller anyone.
Thirdly, 1t was reported during
the campaign and since that |
was opposed to Mr.. Scoggin's cleo
ton on the official board, and
that worked against him and
tried to cause his defeat by caus-
ing Mr.. Webb Harris name to be
put Gil he ticket in order to cause
a split, which might mean defeat
for Mr.. Scoggins. wish 10 brand
this accusation as just as false as
the first one, and without fourda-
ton, for knew nothing of such
arrangements being made. But
on the other hand will say that
defended Mr.. ScogginS at all times
whenever his name was called
and his was the first name wrote
on the ballot when | voted.
Now, in order to make myself
clear, again state, as before, that
not once during the campaign did
| ever call any man into a Seclud-
ed place or back alley to converse
with him on the subject, but on
every occasion spoke my senti-
mentS clearly and distinctly to all
present, without fear or favor to
anyOne.
There are many other things
that / am accredited with that are
without foundation and too fri.
volouS to be worthy of mention
1t is very evident to NE at this
time that a few of my former
friends have been lead to believe.
| have done them an injustice in
some manner of other, AS | see
it. they have Stunned me and nv
place of business for many days.
and some have refrained from
speaking to me on the streets.
Now, it would-be trouble makers
have been the cause of my losing
friends, socially or otherwise, /
am very, very, sorry to lose one.
But If there is a single man in
Welsh who refuses to treat me
with due respect and refuses TO
speak to me because | did NOT
see and do things as he done, in
the exercise of our legal rights
lsincerely hope that he might live
his conviction to the end. if his
lease of life be a hundred wears,
In conclusion will say, tina,
| stand for justice to all men alike
ann willing to give such, and will
gladly meet anyone on the above
accusations and critisms herein
mentioned.
Trusting that this statement is
sufficient to make clear my posi-.
ltiOn, | am.