The Progress., 1893-04-29
REFORM PRESS MEET
1t Alexandra and Adopt Resolutions
Urging the
Passage OF an Honest Election
Law.

OEsng to the brief notice given,
coupled with business proventions and
misunderstanding Cf the nature Of
the meeting, only five representatives
of the State press met at Alexandria
on Saturday last to inaugurate a
movement Of reform, viz: The Pro
gressive Age, of Ruston; Louisiana
Mentor. of Plain Dealing; The Com
rade, of Winfield; Capital Item, of
Baton Rouge, and The PRoGEgs5, of
Shreveport.
This meeting had no political sig
nificance, and represented no faction
nor party, but was called for the pur-
pose of entering upon a uniform plan
Of action for securing certain reforms
which al fair-minded people desire.
The proceedings had there were as
follows
ALEXANDRIA La, April p, 1873
Arlington Hotel
The Reform Press meeting was
called TO order at the above place and
date, promptly at IL o'clock am, by
W. W. Mcclure, Of the Progressive
Age, and on his motion Prof. }. T..
Johnston, of the Louisiana Mentor,
was made chairman, with Judge c.
d. Hicks, of The PRoGREss, as vice
president,
On motion Of Judge Hicks, II. J..
Brian. of the Comrade, was made
secretary.
Mr.. ". w. Mcclure was requested
to state the objects of the meeting,
which were to form an organization
of all papers in the State of Louis
lana that are. or may become. in favor
of reform: First, in the election law
second, in the matter of the appoint
i've power in our State governments
third, IN economy of public expendi-
lures.
On motion the chair was requested
to appoint a committee of three on
resolutions.
The chair appointed W. G. Annis,
of the Capital Item, W. w. Mcclure
and Judge G. d. Hicks.
On motion the chairman was added.
After some remarks by members
the meeting took a recess Of one
hour for the committee to prepare
their report
After recess the chairman called
the meeting to order, and the COM
mittee on resolutions reported
through their chairman, Mr.. Annis,
as follows:
Where's, the present elective sys-
tenn Of Louisiana has been manipu-
lated in a manner t. deprive the peo-
pie Of their inallenable rights, max
ing it machine in the hands of de-
signing politicians to debauch the
ballot-box, render nugatory the will
of the people and perpetuate in DOW
er those who, in many instances, are
not the choice of the people.
Whereas, in the interest of good,
wholesome and honest government it
is necessary .hat the State of Louis
iona should have such an election
law as will guarantee to the people an
untrammeled right to cast free bal
lot, and have the same returned as
cast in the ballot-box; therefore be it
Resolved, that we, the representa-
tives of the press here assembled, do
hereby pledge ourselves to use every
honorable means in our power to in
duce our Legislature to enact such
ballot law as will meet the necessities
of the case herein expressed; and
Resolved, that failing in this effort
we pledge ourselves to urge the cleo
ton of such Legislature as will
give to the people this needful re-
form; and further
Resolved, that cordial invitation
is hereby extended to ali members of
the State press to cooperate with us
in securing these results: and be it
further
Resolved, that the State press is
hereby requested to publish these res
olutions.
Respectfully submitted,
W. G. ANNIs.
w. W. MCCLURE,
&. ID. Hicks,
j. Il. JOHNSTON,