The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1896-05-30
LEGISLAU w NOTES.

ttuSt iilbft celIuE fTdttt' - iNct
week session was the appearance OF
the several candidates for the United
States Senaturship. upon invitation
from the Senate, before the mem hers
Of the general assembly, in open house
for the purpose of giving their views
on the monetary and tariff questions.
All the candidates explained their
positions on these two questions in
brief speeches. and none won more
applause and admiration than our dis
tingu shed Congressman, the Hon.
Andrew Price, for the frank, olsen
.enunus, and bold statement OF ews
which in some respect ran counter 10
those ct many members Of the general
assembly.
lie unliesitatiDgly and without any
quibbliny pronounced himself ~ Op.
pnssed to the free and unlimited col
mage Of silver at IL to /. When we
consider that, perhaps, il majority Of
the members OF the general
assembly are in favor ct such
tree coinage. we can appreciate the
moral courage such an avnwal evinced
and it must, as it did, challenge the
admiration OF even those who differ
from Mr.. Price.
On the tariff question, Mr.. Price was
no less explicit. He planted himself
squarly on the Democratic doctrine Of
\ tariff for revenue with incidental
protection, and expressed his opinion
that that was the hest system Of a
tariff for the country.
Whether Mr.. Price has made any
votes by the courageous and explicit
statement of his views or not,
certain it is, that he has won the ad-
miration and esteem, and, we believe,
the confidence Of the people Of the en-
tire Sta (.
Mr.. Denegre's effort on the same
occasion was rather disappointing,
even to his friends. His delivery was
none OF the best, and his statement Of
views an ill-disguised straddle, which
deceived no one. 1t was a palpable
bid for votes. Starting with al ac-
acknowledgement that lie had no positive
views on the silver question, he,wound
~ by by proclaiming himself a bi-
metallist. He proclaimed himself as a
protectionist, especially Of Louisiana
industries.
Capt. Pharr's speech kept, the au-
dicnce in good humor BY its queer
tumble of ideas aud oddly Of expires
sion, and lie was often rev arded Nv
burst Of good natureo laughter which,
rejoiced the heart.
Judge Blackman charged all the ills
OF the country to the crime of 1873,
and made ! strong appeal for the free
coinage of silver at IL to j.
Senator Blanchard made the speech
that many had heard before. advoca-
ting free coinage and explaining Ills
course on the sugar question. 1t was
a blanchard speech and he gave the
sugar planters considerable taf1y.
Owing to the Senatorial contest
things have made little Roadway ia
the Legislature and many measures of
reform may die Il natural death for
want OF time.
The present general assembly con-
talns q very large proportion Of new men
and before the recruits are fairly bro
Ken 70 harness, much valuable time
will have shipped by. For that reason,
too much work must not be expected
at the present session.
Notice has been given Of a ballot
reform Law. The election law shoul.
be amended. and a system put in
vogue which would insure a free ex-
preston of the peoples will. The
law should be 50 framed, however, as
TO rid us, as much as possible, Of the
influence of the vicious and depraved
in politics. Whatever happens. the
intelligence and patriotism Of tile
country should rule.
Give us an uniform election law far
tie whole State, not one for the city
aads another for the country and
above all, let its provisions be SO plain
tina she who runs NAV reaG.n
A good election law will be one
step towards pure elections, but it will
not Of itself secure purity, 1t requires
something higher and nobler, and
mere potent than a fair and rigid stat
ute to accomplish the desired object
and that something is an elevated
public opinion. That de%sideratum il
is within the reach of the people, but
will never be realized as long as one
portion Of the people content them
with denouncing alleged election
frauds IN others while practising them
themselves. 1t will take the united eff
forts Of the best elements Of all parties
secure it. It requires patriots. not
temagogues. to bring about such uni
ted action. Have we the men in tile
State to do it 7