The Opelousas courier., 1888-03-17
PLAIEQRM.

w HefeuS, the excessive GUl0lttnleHtS ana pa
tronage attached to the offices of sheriff of the
parish, clerk of court and coroner permit these
officers to acquire power and influence that
have been used in the past end may again be
used in the future, to compromise the rights
shd endanger the liberties OF the people.
Resoleea, That no caBdidates before any
parish convention shall be nominated for
these offices. without pledge that in case of
election they will respectively appoint to the
offices of Tax Collector, Recorder and Parish
Physician, with all their attendant emolu"
ments and privileges and maintain i'll these
offices for their full term Except in case OF
undoubted incapacityl, the persons recon-
mended for said offices by majority OF the
nominating convention.
Whereas, the system of appointing Police
Jurors, and members Of the School Board and
Assessor as heretofore applied has not PROV
ed satisfactory to the people.
Resolved, That no candidate before any par
sh or district conyention snail receive NOM
ination as Senator Or member OF the Legisia-
ture, without pledge that he will recon-
mend TO the governor of the State and sustain
as Police Jurors and members of the School
Board only the persons endorsed by majori-
ty of delegates from the respective police Jury
wards present in the convention.
Resolged, That no candidate shall receive
nomination as Senator or member of the Leg
islature, without pledge that he will recon-
mend to the governor of the State for the of
fee of Assessor of the parish. only the person
endorsed by q majority of the nominating con-
veption.
Whereas, the present system Of road work
ing and the police jury laws governing this
ali important question are defective in very
many respects and totally inadequate to pro-
vide and maintain good roads.
Resolred, That every person proposed for
police juror be called on to pledge himself to
/ \ IL klnr anf ao6 Inv
as to make all male residents. irrespective of
age, profession or physical ability, contribute
equally towards providing good roads to re-
duee the number of days for compulsory work
ing on the roads from twelve days
to eight days annually :; to exact
from residents Oh the side roads four
days work on their side road and four
days work ON the nearest main road to re-
duce tue price of substitutes from 81 so to 81
| per day: to appoint at an annual salary not
exceeding 500 road superintendent for the
parish, whose duty it shall be to see that the
roads are properly worked and the bridges
kept in repair, and who shall bs invested with
such power as may be deemed advisable to
enforce the law in this connection.
| Whereas, the present school system of the
| parish is utterly defective, the supervision
| over the schools mere pretence and the fa-
| cilities afforded to the poor man-Yhite or
| black for properly educating his children far
|
] welfare demands.
/ Resolued, That the members proposed for
| the school board be called on to pledge them
] selves to use the school funds now in the
j Treasury TO remedy the present abuses and
! deficiencies in tho best possible manner and
without delay, and to appoint Immediately 9
school supe ,intendeHt for the parish at an ans
uual salary not to exceed 500 dollars, who
/ shall have special charge and special power in
these matters.
i Vhereas, in the last general assembly of the
/ State, we saw certain Of our representatives,
in both houses, successfully combating the
wishes of q large proportion of the citizens OF
] tho parisl TO be allowed to fix the site of the
new couA house by means of popular vote,
Resolfsa, That we danounce all such at
temptsk 10 stiae the voice Of the people as IN
Ilust,I arbitrary and against all demacratie
Resolred, That W. wiH endorse no candidates
for the senate or ieg gislature who do not pledge
themselves TO support and aid The people OF any
part of the State who may hereafter desire 60
i decide similar questions of public interest bJ
a popular yote.6
Whereas the reduced prices now realized
Tor all farm products render it necessary &
D use increasing economy in raising and maj
citing crops, and purchasing supplies, AM
aehereas the rates of freight and passage ohare
ed By the railroads in this State are generail
excessive and always arbitrary. ~
:. Resolred That our senators and nembfV
of the legislature be instructed to introdlc
or support the general assembly, a meat Are
to create state railroad commission toY7 tn
) purpose Of regulating rates of freigh ant
Issssage and ether matters. @.
D Resolved, that the u. s. senators, aES,fnenl
/ hers Of Congress from the State, be n aeste'
: Ito urge in every possible manner the penins
Z of Bayou Plaquemne, so that the I)iple o
southwestern Louisiana may be benSffted i
/ regard to transportation rates, Through th
!, j resulting close water connection with NeS
0 Orleans.
: Whereas, the criminal expenses Of the sar
. Gus parishes, and the business of the Distrie
/ Courts in the State, are greatly increased D
0 the limited Jurisdiction of the justice OF peae
0 Courts.
Y Rcsolred, that our senators and members {
Il the Legislature be instructed to lntrodne
9 and support d measure to extend the jurisdi'
. fion Of the Justice Of peace Courts so as to ei
able them to finally dispose of petty crimin'
g eases without recourse to the grand jury an
criminal District Courts.