St. Landry democrat., 1886-07-03
The Southern WatchsnaM ON
State Politics.

The Southern Watchman has re-
Gently given mortal offence to the
Capitolian Advocate, the Morehouse
Clarion, and other papers and people.
The Watchman, they say, put for
ward "anti-Administration Canards"
aud these people and papers say. or
intimate, that the Editorials, Messages
and Communications appearing in the
Watchman are matters of pure hate,
spite and malice. This cannot be
true. What object can the Watch
~Alan have in viilifying the Govern
gnent of Louisiana?
We have said that the government
under a Democratic administration
run in debt, in spite of the Constitu-
non, 1856 600 in 1884; 1856 900 in 1880,
$216 900 in 1885, That this deficit
does not constitute legal debt against
the State-See Con. Art A. Judge L.
T. Land held this to be Law, in a
communication printed in North
Louisiana paper several years ago.
We have said that the Governor in
his message proposes to bond this
illegal deficit.
people and journals address an ar2u-
.nent to these matters? Why don't
they, we ask
We have said the PenitentiarS lease
ought to be abrogated. That the
Democratic party had promised to alb
rosate it. The Governor is fully com
mitted to it as party principle. we
have demonstrated that the Lessees
make an immense sum of money out
of the Lease. We ask again why
don't these enraged people and Jour-
mails present an argument TO these mat
ters? They are of public interest.
S.,A IL
Constitutional amendments are propos-
ed, bonding any supposed debts, that
they will be counted in bv fraud. we
charged great frauds in the counting IN
the last debt amendment submitted to
the peopla-that the ballot boxes We're
stuffed in Tensas-at which the above
entiuned persOrs and papers grew
red in the face The Watchman is not
the author of the Scandal, Mr.. Boat
ner than whom there is not to be found
wurthier man in Louisiana, said 1T
was true He is friend of the AdmI-
nistlation. Has it come to pass, that
40 man can charge rascallty and ballot
box stuffing during this Administration
but the friends of the Governor
In regard to the communication sign
ed 'Opossum Corner" In it were
three questions about a public school,
to wit: Did not the Mechanical and
Agricultural College and State Univer-
Sity have to its credit three years ago,
the sum of Slo,ooO
2-Is it not in debt. l0,oou
3-Had it not used in 3years, So, 5,OOO
Tntal 100000
Was not this S333.:353 year for each
student
If these are not the facts, let the
facts be set forth.
To helittle and bemean the Watch
man is no sufficient answer to these
suggestions and public inquiries. The
Natcilman chooses to say, that 1T Is a
disgrace to the Democratic party, that
after ten years of uninterrupted rule Ill
Louisiana, the poor unfortunate lunatlc
in her Asylum only gets 81 cents on
the dollar of the money appropriated
TO feed, clothe and care for them.
Think of it for moment; this yearly
deficit which the Governor proposes to
bond, is made up, in part, OF the ap-
preparations made to care for our crazy
Deople and educate our children, sold
at 81 cts on the dollar and now held by
some speculator. This thing has gone
on for years in the presence and to the
knowledge of Gov. McEnery and Mr.
Burke. They have the financial affairs
of the State in charge. Is this the best
that could be donee Is it even credit
able Would any man be satisfied to
have his private business SO that his
children and servants should realize
only 81 cents on the dollar OF the ex-
penditures