The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1894-03-17
The Problem of Suffrage.

may not be improper for us to speak
again.
We ventured to express our views
many months since. The Louisiana
press maintained profound silence un
til quite recently. Now we find several
journals venting theirs, and some Of
them in language very much resem-
bling our own. Reinforced as we are,
we again take up the subject with more
and brighter hope of ultimately seeing
something done.
We have advocated and still believe
in qualifications for suffrage. We hold
that impartiality should be the law but
universally never, in the present con-
dition of society.
We would not punish ignorance,
under any circumstances, nor would we
invest it with legal power to iDjure
other informed classes and prevent the
wise purposes of the ballot.
In our opinion the voter should pos
sess an easily attainable standard of ed
ucational qualifications or possess GER
tain we'll defined property qualifica-
tions. In addition to these, we would
make it indispensable that he should
be inflexibly required to show Iris re-
ceipt for his poll tax, paid months be-
fore every general election, or any
election for parish, state and federal
Offices. Such receipt should serve
the present purposes Of registration.
We think it safe to say that candidates
for Office would not make business of
paying poll taxes for purchasable vot-
ers before it could be known whether
they would bs selected as candidates.
And if they were to venture upon such
a course, the public would be benefited
at least to the extent of the revenue
derived from it.
We would not fix an exclusive edu-
property qualification but would have
it alternative. Ignorance Is always
dangerous to our republican form of
government, it is true; but not SO much
so as intelligence and information di-
rected to the accomplishment of cor
rupt purposes. 1t is frequently the
case that illiterato men own consider
able property which is always and
necessarily taxed. Such persons are
materially interested in having intelli-
gent representatives and well ad
ministered government. Being taxed
for these purposes they are justly en-
titled to a voice in the selection of Of
fcers and in determining the polity of
government. 1t may be said they are
ignorant, but it must be conceded they
| are at the same time Interested. 1t is
hardly consistent with daily observa-
tiens for us to believe they would will
lingly injure themselves, knowing as
we do, they would seek the advice of
persons better informed.
And again: Should the country be in-
| volved in war, they must be taxed to
meet the expenses of it and be liable to
military duty. Such being the case, it
were unjust to impose the duties with
out the attendant privilege of voice in
bringing about such a necessity.
1t may be said that the ignorant
propertyless citizen is also liable to
military duty. Yes, lie is; but as he
never serves the government by paying
cent of its expenses, and stands ready
to be bought up by corrupting candi-
do onl naaritlaco ae
often as an election is held, be should
be made to assist in fighting its battles,
| as a compensation for the liberty he
| enjoys and the personal protection the
government vouchsafes to him. If this
be the only way he can be made to
serve useful purpose, we are not will
ling to have him shielded or exempted
| from it,
Every citizen owes the government
duties, and il such persons can be made
to perform no other, don't exempt them
from military duty because they are toe
| worthless to perform others.
Every we'll informed man who is in
spired and guided by patriotic mo-
tives wishes to sec every useful. hon
est man invested with all the privileges
appertaining to American citizenship.
Bnt-elections have become such farces
that corruption has, in very MANY in
stances, neutralized and supplanted the
laws, that demagogucs and charlatans
may run riot over the privileges and
rights of informed and frugal citizens.
So that the question stands thus
Shall ignorance and disregard Of law
continue to dominate, or intelligence
and responsible worth rise to the as
tendency?
The fixing Of qualifications such as
we have suggested would in our opin-
ion obviate many of our present diff
culties and lead on to consummations
devoutly to be wished by every true
lover Of the country's prosperity.
The question of the curtailment oil
our Congressional representation. ETC.,
| should not deter us for one moment
On this subject we may have some
thing to offer later; but let that be as
it may, we should purify our elections
| and reward patriotism and statesman
| ship.
The Teche r. r. and Sugar Co.
Limited, has been placed in the hands
of receiver in order that the road may
| be completed to Breaux's Bridge and