St. Landry democrat., 1889-03-09
GOVERNOR NICHOLS.

claily, the rather violent denunclatlO
of him by the Crowley Signal, because o
the appointment of our confIere, W. {
Chevis, to the Office Of Assessor Of Aca
dia parish. We speak of this case, be
cause it occurred in our adjoining par
ish, which was formerly portion of ou
parish, and because the parties concern
ed are well known here. The ground o
the Signals attack, is that the Governo
ignored the numerously signed petitiol
in behalf of the reappOintment of Mr.
d. B. Lyons. the old incumbent. 1t i
claimed in his behalf. we believe, tha
his petition was signed by an actua
majority of the voters Of the parish
This may be true, and it may also b,
admitted that MIR. Lyons is an excellen
man, as against whose character moth
ing is charged; still we think the at
tacks on the Governor on account of thu
appointment of Mr.. Chevis very unjust
1t is not charged that this gentleman il
incompetent, or in any way untitled fol
the office. He is native of the parish
is intelligent, is member Of an old
aud highly respectable family. and has
established and always maintained a
character for scrupulous integrity
| Surely these are traits that should
characterize tho person chosen 10 fill
| this important and responsible Office
aud if these guarantees for faithful pub
lie service be secured in the person OF
the appointee, it is all the public can
ask or have the right to demand from
the executive. As to the petitions ad-
dressed to the Governor, they should
not control him in the appointment of
Assessors. nor has the Governor ever
promised that they should, that we are
aware Of The trainers of the Cnnstitu-
tion, for very obvious reasons made
this an appoinfive office. To gu bject the
executives action then to the control of
petitions signed by tho voters, would
practically make the office elective, and
thus defeat the wise purpose proposed
TO be accomplished in conferlng this
appointing power upon the Governor.
The conclusions of the S'gaal would
lngically lead to this result.
Neither do we think that the Cover
nor in this case, has violated any prom
ise or pledge made by him during the
campaign. He did promise the people
here and elsewhere in his public utter
ances, that where they held primary
elections ftg' Police Jurors under the
direction of the Parish Executive Com
mittee, he would appoint the person so
chosen by the Democrats, and he has
done so, as far as we are informed. He
certainly did it here. That promise was
made. because of the we'll grounded
of the people at the exc
cutive appointment of these bodies, !
which are their local governmental,
vested with legislative and taxing
rnwer. Beyond this however, the
Governor made nc promise so surrender
5he appointive power conferred upon
lin by the Constitution aud laws. But /
t seems that nothing less than an
almost total surrender of his power and |
patronage, would satisfy the demands
made upon him; demands too. in some
instances, made in behalf of persons
Who bitterly opposed his nomination,
md who have never since hia election,
eased their opposition to his admins
ration.
We feel bound also to express our
|isapproval of the personal character Of
ome Of these attacks upon Gov. Mich
Ills. He holds by the suffrages OF the
eople. the Office of Chief Executive of
he State, and all the people, and the
'ress of the State owe it to themselves,
nd to their common wealth TO treat the
Incumbent of that.exalted office, with
espect and consideration Much more
han this do they owe to Gov. Nichols.
Iis personal sacrifices and services in
eace and war, have not only given him
n honorable and enduring place in the
nnals of Louisiana's distinguished
pms, but will always enfitle him to the
steem and gratitude of her people.
The good name Of such man is part
nd parcel of the heritage of the COM
onwealtf. 1t should be cherished and
uarded by the people, not sullied by
,e angry voice of n PARTISAN press. If
rancis T. Nichols be not type of
ian Of whom the whole people of Lou
lana can justly be proud, and to whom
e can point our yonng men as an ex-
mplar of all the civic virtues, then is
ouisiana poor indeed!
One hundred aud seventeen excuraion