St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-03-31

"Ring" could no longer exist as hlther-
to organized, covert influences have
been at work to disorganize the Demo-
cratic party. The smoldering enmities,
jealousies, rivalries, and manias for
holding Office, in the Democratic ranks,
have been sought out and inflamed, not
by Republicans, but by those claiming
to be Democrats, for the purpose of
weakening the party and having its
candidates defeated at the approaching
election. Last Saturday the two fac
tons of the Republican party united,
and they nominated ticket. Black
men constitute the mass of the party,
but on this ticket there is not single
black man, and five out of eleven claim
to be Democrats. That the Republican
party should nominate its own mem
bers for office, is fit and proper; but
claiming to be in the majority in this
parish, its wholesale nomination of men
claiming to be Democrats, shows that it
is more controlled by such Democrats
than by its own members. Why should
such Democrats seek to control it i? Is
it because they can not control the par
ty to which they claim to belong? By
what means do they get control of
party to which they claim not to be-
long +? Why is it that there are indie
pendent Dem ocratic candidates in a
parish where the Republicans claim to
be in majority z Why is it that men
claiming to be Democrats, who have
time and again been honored by the
Democratic party with nomination and
election to Office, allow them Sc Ives to
be nominated and supported for Office
against the nominees of their own par
ty? Why do these men seek such nom
nation and support 2 Why is it that
none of the black men who constitute
nine tenths of the voters of the Republic
can party, do not run as independents
against the nominees of their party
Why is it that we see associated on the
same ticket, Republicans and Demo-
Gratis, mutually supporting each other,
who so intensely hated each other lsst
long since as shown by testimony be-
fore Congressional committee? The
answer is Money-they have combined
to get possession Of the offices support
ed by the taxpayers and make money
out of politics. The black men do not
get the money, but they are used as
tools by politicians to make money
The tax payers have not only to sup
port the offices and paw all expenses of
government, but pay also for the cor
rupt legislation and extravaganza at
Baton Rouge.
But rs to the ticket, the Republicans
nominated last Saturday, for State
senator's, G. G. Duson and Willis Pres
colt. MIR. Duson is sheriff Of this par
isl and has been since 1874, elected at
every election by virtue Of Democrat
lie nomination and Democratic support.
He now presents to the party the strange
spectacle Of one who having been hon
ored and supported by the Democratic
party for nearly fourteen years, turns
against that party now that that honor
and support have been justly conferred
upon another Trustworthy Democrat. Mr..
Prescott had already been nominated
by Democratic district convention and
his election ensured putting him on
the RepHbiican ticket was for policy,
not for love. Judge Lewis had also
been nominated by DISTRICT conven-
ton and his election ensured 5; besides,
he was without opposition, and his
Office not considered by some a political
one. Mr.. yeazie for district attorney,
is republican, and he was entitled to
the nomination, NessTs. Lastrapes and
Mcbride, for representatives, are Re
publicans. Mr.. Guidry for representa-
five. was nominated by the Democratic
party four years ago. and elected to the
House Of Representatives, against the
oppesitioa Of The Republican candi-
dates at that tifae lie IL alsoa member
and president Of the police jury, ap-
| pointed by Gov. McEnery. Mr. Wilar-
/ ton was nominated by the Democratic
party four years ago. for representa-
tive, but he was defeated then just IN
the same manner THAI he 10 running
now to defeat the Democratic candi-
dates. Besides he has figured as a
member of Democratic committees
since thet time, and he was before the
Democratic esagention on the 2Ott
inst. for the same position that the Re
publicans have nominated hin. bu'
/ failed to be nominated. Henry Blocf
| for Clerk, Thomas G. Anderson fol
Sheriff, and Or. Brown for Coroner arr
Republicans.
The New Orleans Times-Democra
says THAI the National Republican Com
mittee, after matarely considering tn
T. 4 I 4 i,rt4 ar n