The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-05-31

VIC SA0eso AoSuOS VI euO J1Aou3 e@AA WAAA~AA
has taught in its every act and utter.
ance that sspublic Office is public
trust" and not means of private in
terest or gain
Standing before you to-day, fellow
citizens, in that sunlight of increas-
ing prosperity and peace, State and
National, which blesses us as peo-
pie, and looking back through eleven
years, that have passed since the
Dmocratic party took up the admin
istration of our public affairs, I am
filled no less with satisfaction at the
mighty results which have been
achieved, than with admiration for
the devotion, courage and civic viz
tues of our people and with respect
tor the enlightened and faithful pub
lie servants, under whose direction so
much has been accomplished.
Such is but cursory presentation
of the conditions which led up to this
period of peace and progress towards
prosperity. I have felt that thus to
recall them might teach us all a. les
son of wisdom and fill US with re-
uewed hope for the future From
i all that has TRANSFERRED in the eventful
history of our State within the past
third of century we can evolve the
lesson that government is only sue
cessful when the happiness of the
people is kept steadily in view; that
as people we are one in interest and
destiny, and that he is no safe coun-
selor who would break US into antag-
onistic political factions.
Fellow citizens, these feelings press
upon me for utterance as I stand be-
fore you to assume the duties of the
office to which you have called me-
Seeing all that has been done in the
past and all that is to he done in the
future, my mind is conscious of the
responsibilities of which are imposed
upon me. We stand as it were on
the threshold of new life; we are
passing out of the shadows of the
past; we are looking forward to that
future of prosperity, of happiness,
which [ trust in God is reserved for
US. By what means we are to aid
our upward and onward movement
remains hereafter to be carefully
weighed and critically considered.
1t l can be fortunate in impress
ing upon the incoming administration
those views and measures which are
uppermost in my mind, and those
hopes which lie deepest in my heart,
it shall be an administration devoted
to the best interest of all the people
OF our State. I would make it an
administration upon which the peo-
pie could lean with absolute trust in
its integrity of purpose and with the
feeling that it had for them no undue
burdens or selfish purpose. I would
make its conduct such as to inspire
them with the belief that their con-
tributions of revenue for it's support
and Of service in its maintenance
were for the best purpose of govern
ment. [ would make its educational
system such that the blessings of in
struction should be the birthright of
every child in the land. / would
make it alive to the mighty interest
of Development, Improvement and
commerce. would guard it's peace
full abodes from the invasion of dis
ease and pestilence by proper saui-
tary and quarantine regulations, and,
by an efficient and enlightened sys-
tenn of riparian levees, would have it
shield those who live and labor upon
our allnvial lands from the destruc-
ton of the floods, which annually are
borne upon the bosom of our great
river. [ would have it mercifullv
provide for those upon whom the
blightning hand Of disease or insanity
has fallen, without means of self
support, by fostering those public
charities which have distinguished
our State. I would have it charac.
terized by an enforcement of the law
and by an enlightened and progress
sive conduct in the public service,
and thus aid in making the fertile
soil of our State the continued and
increasing abode of morality, COM
fort and industry, thereby inviting
those who live in less favored land to
establish homes among us for them
selves and for their children. If laws
are found to bear unequally or OPP
presslvely upon any industry, or
class, would have them amended or
repealed. BY rigidly keeping our
expenditures within the limits of our
revenues, honestly assessed and
promptly collected, I would bring
our current affairs to an absolutely
cash basis and by providing prompt
ly for our public debt 1 would give
supremest confidence to the public
creditor and would place the credit
of the State upon firm and endur-
ing basis.
In conclusion, fellow citizens. let
me say that / shall endeayor. to the