The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-08-31
4 TIMELY WARNING.


orally engaged in the discussion OF
the political aspect of affairs in Lou.
isiana, and the time is opportune for
that purpose. There being no cleo.
ton this year and consequently no
candidates, what may be said on that
subject is, of course, intended for
general application, and can not be
presumed to have for its purpose the
advancement of any particular indi
vidual, nor as a harsh criticism on
another. Perhaps the unsavory con-
dition to which machine politics"
has brought the City of New Or
leans, and the formation of vigilance
com mittees there to correct abuses,
is right now the exciting cause of
the discussion.
Politics in Louisiana has degene-
rated into disgraceful scramble for
office. The professional politician
has been taught that it is easier to
scheme for, trade for and buy an of
fee With good salary, than it is to
make an honest living in some OF
1.-The more honorable walks Of life
and it is so easy to do nothing, give
nothing in return, and to draw from
the public crib, and they have beer
so successful at it In the past, thai
they have come to regard the public
offices as their private property. Ii
this game of theirs they have here
| tofore counted upon and have beer
aided by the Indifference Of the PEG
pie to their real interests. The PEG
pie are honest and would do what i
right if left to themselves, but the!
have seen their will thwarted so OF
ten by means of packed executiv
mittees, packed mass meeting
and packed conventions, that the,
are ready to coeolude that it is al
r most useless to resist. Right her
, they make the mistake epon whicI
the success of the political trlc+ster
depends. Instead Of abandoning tn
party machinery to them and thei
claq.ers, they should take posses
. sion of it and teach those who cour
\ upon their indifference or trade upo
their ignorance, that they will n
Q longer submit to such things.
: When mass meeting is called
o appoint an executive committee II
3 the people, the real people, who hay
It no axes to grind, attend and Il
: their Voice be heard. When the pr
j. mary election OF delegates to the
: cal conventions are ordered, /
+ every man who has the interest
It the country at heart, attend promp
d ly at the time and place, and let de
% egates be selected who are pledg'
Is to no man or set of men. VIII
~ commissioners of election are to
20 20 appointed let them see that they a
"a good and true men who will see tb
1t there is "free ballot and ia
l. count" When the conventions me
is let the voice of the people be hea
n and not that of clique of office hs
n ders or office seekers. Then VIII
~ the people have chosen and elect
. their officers, let them hold them
a strict and rigid accountability.
N Let the laws be enforced and let
y man or set of men be above the la
- The past is behind US, let it re-
. The present and the future is ou1
and it is our duty to redeem t
pledges we made in good faith.
g. Louisiana is to build up her was
ut places by means of foreign immig'
at tion and the Importation of forei
g. capital, we must turn over nj
ar leaf in our politics. The laws mt
r be enforced and they never will
= by men who use the Offices to secu
y. " a reelection. Capital must be pl
~ tected, and life and liberty scrur
is lousy guarded, and these ends c
ye never be accomplished while politi
g. is trade and the officers whose du
IL it is to enforce the laws owe tn
i places to tricks and bargains.