The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-01-05
The Platform.


The following is the platform of the
Democratic party as adopted by the
State Convention yesterday. While it
is confined principally to series of
congratulations upon the peaceful rela-
items existing between all the people,
| the prosperous condition of the cOun-
try, and the restored credit of the State
through wise and economical admin
istration of its finances, it places the
party on record in favor of fostering
and extending the usefulness of the
public schools by liberal appropriations,
in favor of convict labor on the leyees
under the control of the State; and for
the suppression of lotteries by the Leg
lslature
Whereas, ten years Of misg0yern
lnent under asurpatlon had brought
the State to the verge of ruin, after
sowing broadcast throughout its limits
the seeds of strife and dissension and
Whereas, the Democratic party has
under great difficulties redeemed the
solemn pledges it had made of reform
in all the branches of government
Resolved, That we congratulate the
| people of Louisiana that through the
| we'll defined and progressive policy of
a Democratic Executive the following
results have been achieved:
l. The prevalence of peaceful and
eontented relations between the peo-
| pie of all classes and races, so that
every citizen is now protected in all
his rights, and all are practically as
we'll as theoretically equal before the
law through speedy and impartial
administration of justice.
2. The progress achieved i'll this
State in all departments of enterprise,
labor and industry, under the benign
influence of an economical and stable
government.
3. The restoration of the public cred
it of the State, the finances being in a
fourishing condition by reason of sys
tematic retrenchment, judiciously in
troduced in all departments of the
State government, and of the honest
and efficient outstanding of public re-
sources, followed by a material reduc-
ton of the burden of taxation.
4. The rehabilitation Of the public
levess within the limits of this State
through theenterprise and energy of a
Democratic administration, acting on
the wise policy of trusting first to our
selves in this great emergency, without
awaiting the action of the general gov
ernment, which will ultimately be ex
tended to foster such national inter
ests.
Resolved, That the records of the
Democratic party exhibit full redemp-
ton of its pledges to the people; that
it establishes in bold relief its aim and
purpose to rear and foster govern
ment of the people by the people and
for the people; and hence that it is
patriotism to preserve it's integrity and
promote it's perpetuity, so that any at
tempt to disintegrate it deserves to be
frowned down by the good people Of
the State.
Resolved, That the public schools of
this State demand the fostering care of
the government; that although much
has been achieved for their promotion
with the limited means heretofore
available, yet great deal more must
be done to render the public schools
efficient so as to confer the benefits
of education equally upon each and
every child of all races within Che linn
it of the State, and for this purpose, in
asmuch as balances have accrued for the
first time in many years, and are ae-
cruing in the State treasury from diff
ferent sources, being surplus, after
paying current expenses, and inasmuch
as the State has become owner, by for
feiture and purchase, of large amount
of land, the Democratic party pledges
itself to the policy of applying these
balances and the proceeds of these
lands in aid of the public schools and
of immigration.
We declare our hostility to the en-
tire principle of lottery dealings. The
constitution declares gambling to be a
vice, yet it encourages that vice in its
worst form, net only melting to
breaches of faith and embezzlement
in the effort to get rich on the turn of
the wheel, but demoralizing society,
corrupting politics and impeding legis-
lation; and we demand that the Leg
islature to be chosen at the ensuing
election shall enact such legal meas
urss as are necessary for their suppress
sion.
Resolved, That the convict labor Ell
the State should be appropriated and
assigned to labor on the public levees,
under the direction and control of the
State authorities by such legislation as