Homer guardian. (Homer, La.) 1888-1890, 1889-02-01

NDuii IiHiOat VI it9>Ai
the idea CT his committing him
self to the election CT assessors.
Assessments are the source and
handspring, not only of parish
finances, but Of the State also.
The entire State is interested in
the assessment Of every parish iii
it. We Go not believe that Gov
Nichols ever at any time or any
where declared that he would be
bound by an election IN this mat
ter. The will Of - majority could
and doubtless would lave great
weight with him in making the
appointment, but he has the right
and is in duty bound, to appoint
the most suitable man for the Of
Gee, according to the lights before
him, whether that light is shed on
the case by the expressed will OF
majority, or whether it is attain
ed in some other manner. Under
the present state Of the law, it
may be sate 20 permit the white
Democratic voters of a ward to Sc
lect its police jurors. This being
an Office with very small compensa-
ton. there would be little or no
temptation to defraul and there
by defeat the will OF the majority.
It might bc otherwise IN the cleo
ton Of assessor. This is al office
Of considerable pecuniary com
pensation TO the holder. There
nould naturally be a spirited CON
test over it. 1t is often difficult
under all the safeguards that cleo
ton laws have thrown around the
| bsliot box, to arrive at the will OF
the majority when moneyed Of
fee IS involved. How would it be
in the election Of assessors, with
70 sworn commissioners, no pen.
alty against false Or dual voting
ballet stuiiing, or any legal pro
lection whatever. We hardly he
lieye Gov. Nichols ever made Sc
| foolish a pledge as that imputed
| to him in this matter. We takt
the responsibility OF denying tina
he has ever done any snch thing
Again, charges are made that h
has refused to appoint, for certain
parishes, those whom the people
selected for police jurors. Ficholl.
said distinctly that If they wer
elected by the democratic whit
voters, he would respect it, an'
would appoint the individuals St
chosen. We firmly believe tina
lie has carried out this pledge t
the best Of his knowledge. /
some parishes elections were helc
discharding the lemitation t
l white democratic voters, aIlowin
the colored elements, Republican
y aud all sorts to vote. He has X
fused to appoint some who Wer
selected in this manner. a gre;
many caught the election idea ht
failed to observe the restriction
. Now that Nichols wont sanctio
V these unauthorized informal ele'
lions, these malcontentS declal
that he is unworthy the positio
he holds, because be don't a.
point just as they would, if in h
place. II the people propose
assert and maintain the right
elect these appointive officer
. there i" right and proper way
do it. They have, through the
State legislature which is presur
ed to represent them, made Il
Offices in question appointive. l.
. them demand Of the law makir
power the right to elect. We S
it further stated in some Of the p
pers referred to, that the Cover
OF, to use their expression, h;
K. zone back on his friends. Th
Of 10 a queer idea Of his duties al
g obligations. Were these complai
w ants supporting Nichols, that
to might, if elected, be q friend
1g his Official capacity to a few
ld those who advocated his caus
to He has appointed sound Dem
as Gratis TO office. Nobody complai
OF that his appointees are incapal
he of performing the duty their o
al cial position imposes; but I
Of strange position is taken, that
nd administration should be CT