The weekly echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1868-1876, 1874-09-19

men and better calculated to adj
minister the parochial affairs. This
is an Office Of more importance than
is generally accredited to it, and
We should look to it that we elect
our best men; it is the Legislature
Of our parish and they should be
good fnanciers. I am opposed to
All mOnopolies. I am opposed to
ali land grants to any company or
corporation for the purpose of aid
ing ID the building aud constTuc-
ting of railways, tramWays, or ca
nails. I believe the public domain
belongs 20 the people and no body
has the right to legislate it into the
hands of a few. I favor the open
ing Of the land Office and placing
al public lands upon the market,
thereby giving all 4 fair Opportuni-
ty of obtaining a genuineaud guar
anteed title TO lands atonce, which
object connot be accomplished by
the Homestead Act. I am ia fa-
vor Of the state paying its own cTi-
minal expenses. The State, her
self, is q party, 4 her laws are
broken and her honor assailed,
why should she not pay the expen
Sc Of upholding her dignity and de-
tending her honor? We, as par
ishes, It's true are members of the
State, and directly interested in
upholding her il her dignity, de-
lending her honor, and enforcing
her laws but the taxation would
not be equal and uniform compa-
ring poor parishes with the more
wealthy. Fellow-Citizens, whether
elected or not, I shall advocate re-
trenchment in every branch Of the
| government to the lowest possible
standard that will insure the ser
vices of capable and efficient men,
the abolition of all useless and su.
| perauous offices, and curtailing the
power of the Executive. III the
present condition of orr Stale,
groaning under D heavy debt, I am
Iopposed Ia entering upon any new
internal improvements, although
| I know our State is left far behind
| iii this matter, yet we have been
despoiled, voted and taxed unlil
we are unable to bear any more,
and I viii be found standing firmly
in opposition to any increase ia
our State liabilities or taxation, but
on the contrary, demand rednC-
| ton in both Of those particulars.
/ favor the State paying her debts
rs an individual, and establishing
an enviable credit upon a safe ba-
Sis: and when our State credit shall
have been established, and she Is
lin a financial condition to engage
| ID works Of internal Improvements,
/ insist that our parish and Came
ron shall not be neglected in the
way of appropriations to improve
the navigation of CalCasieu river.
| As every branch of business within
| the limits of orr parish is very
largely interested ia this naviga-
| tion, il is a public blessing which
claims a large share of our atten
tion.
III elected, / shall use my best
endeav0rs and All my influence to
have a government lighthouse,
placed at the month Of the Calca-
sieu river, 60 insure economical
and safe ingress and egress To our
Commerce and shipping. Other
parts ef much less commerce and
tonnage are granted lighthouses.
beacons and buoys. I shall insist
upon share Of the public bounty
and government safeguards.
Fellow Citizens / fear I have al-
ready wearied your patience and
extended this letter To too great 8
length. ] would be glad to see
| Won all face 10 face, when the ques-
tions engaging our attention could
be discussed CIV more satisfactori-
Inv, but this is impossible, and out
81 my power; ike many of yon,
ny business and the cares 90 home
and family demand my constant
attention, and 1 eRH but illy spare
Ifhe time. Fellow litizens, fn con-