The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-06-08
BELLEVUE, La,
THURSDAY, :::::::::::::::::::::"::JuNE 8, 1882.

Some persons are wont to say that
this is an age ofreform. While there
is no doubt that the statement ought
to be true, it is hardly warranted by
the facts ofcurrent history. Numer-
GUS reforms are suggested, and their
advocates go around making a deal
of noise, but only in rare instances
do we see effected a genuine reform
Ono for which the people feel under
obligations to return thanks. There
have been reforms which did not re-
form, and as quite natural conse-
quence, the masses-they are the
jury that ultimately decides all such
questions directly or indirectly are
disposed to be somewhat Indifferent
nowadays to the demands Of enthu-
siastic statesmen and phiIanthropists
who want to change things. In gen.
eral, it is unfortunately true that the
cries for reform have como to be a
bore. We say unfortunately, for the
reason that there are proposed re-
forms which wisdom demands, and
good men pray for.
A change is needed in the method
of conducting political campaigns.
There are too many stump speakers
and too much twaddle. Intelligent
people have grown weary of being
insulted by alleged orators, who
harangue them as ii they were
crowd OF Cheyennes, without the
slightest knowledge of political his
tory, the principles of parties, cur
rent events, or anything else. ID
every campaign hundreds of small
bore campaign guns loaded with
slush are shipped about the country
and fred off at various places on
stated occasions. The supposed OBJ.
ject is to make votes. Party mana
gers ought to known enough to know
that votes are not made in this way.
The number of men driven into the
opposite party or into the woods
will equal, if not exceed, the mum
Der of converts.
Fully two-thirds of the speeches
made in ageneral campaign do more
harm than good to the cause advo-
Gated. The evil is aggravated by
the fact that a vast amount of money
is squandered in getting up these
political meetings which might be
used adyantageously in another li-
! rection. Besides, much valuable
time is wasted by persons who are
induced to attend "rally' by force
of habit, party spirit or the decep-
tive announcements on flaming
posters.
The comparatively few orators
who are worth hearing generally
have their speeches prepared and in
type before they are DELIVERED
Nowadays the newspapers are fur
nished nearly all the great speeches
in advance, and they are published
Immediately after delivery. Why is
it necessary for the author to be at
pains to speak his piece, and for a
multitude TO assemble to hear it,
when everybody can read it in his
newspaper, or as much of it as will
repay readingg The money spent
in the effort to bring out crowd
and make a display would buy and
circulate ten, twenty or thirty times
as many newspapers as there are
persons present to hear the address.
There appears to be no good rea.
son why the stump should not be
abolished. It has had its day. Time
was when the stump served useful
purpose, but it is now merely an ex-
pensiye nuisance. This reform has
been advocated mildly for the past
few years and even with this poor
effort in its favor the movement, we
believe, has steadily gained ground.
1t is one Of the reform movements
that shonld t.rnsrnr