The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-02-29
Opening thelCampaign.

1850 -
campaign on thespart of the Democratic
candidates was opened at Shreveport
under the most favorable auspices. A
grand gathering of Democrats were pres.
ent to listen to the speakers of the day
who were Auditor w. W. Heard, Senator
N. G. Blanchard, Gov. Foster and Pro-
fessor j. v. Calhoun. We regret not
being able to reproduce all the speeches,
but will endeavor to give our readers a
synopsis OF what was said.
Mr.. Heard devoted his speech princi-
pally to an account OF State affairs for
the last twenty years and. particularly to
the last four years. By his showing
Democracy has the proud boast of a just
and honest administration, the public
funds faithfully and we'll applied, the law
enforced and the peace and good order
OF society maintained. Pursuing this
line, he said:
claim that the Democratic party of this State
mas done n. thing at which the honest elector can
complain, but much that he can approve and
especially do claim the present administration
has woi ked solely for the interest of good gov
ernment for the benefit OF the whole people and
Tor the advancement of the agricultural and in
dustrial affairs of this State. the only thing upon
which SOLID prosperity can be based:
One OF the principal measures before the peo-
pie four years ago was the maintenance and sup
port OF the government upon the 6-miu tax.
Many honest men believed that in order to MAIN
tam our puDnc institutions. to build and repair
our ievees, u advance the cause of public edu-
cation, to defray the current expenses of the gov
eminent, that tne emil tax was not adequate
Tor the purpose. We claimed that with an hon
est and economical administration of public
affairs the government could be run with this
tax, and propose to show you to-day that we
have kept our facts and word with the people,
who confided this great trust to our hands, ii
the current demands of he government have
deem met; II the public aud charitable institu-
'lons or the State have been we'll and honestly
administered and the inmates properly cared
for; II the great levee system has been wisely
and ludicionsiy advanced, and if the laws have
been enforced, ask you, as honest men, ought
not that government be perpetuated rather than
enect q change by the support of ticket til
Republicans nor the Popuiist party, but rather
questionable mixture of them alli
He said that one of the first financial improve
Si5.Uoo by change IN the fiscal agency. Mr..
Heard then made most hattering statement of
the work of the board of audit and exchange,
which through the surp; us IN the treasury our
chased and retired Understanding bonds nv
which means the credit of the Stat. was made
good upon the markets of the world. He pre-
institutions. both charitable and Educational
including the Soldiers Home and the new Len
ers Home. which Cost So ,Ov0, and then gave the
ngures of increased appropriations to all Of
tasse, involving in four years nearly x3OO t1Q |
lie discussed the large additions to leyee cor
sirucfions and increased appropriations and
efnciency OF this public schools. He paid high |
tribute TO Gov. Foster with whom he has been |
Tor twelve years on an intimate footing as Sena-
tors and State officers during whichstime he was
ever true to hns State. his party his ty and his
L
Mr.. Heard's business figures were of great in |
terest TO Caddo business men. who appreciate |
economy and practical administration OF public I
affairs. and he was cordially appianded at the |
conclusioa of his fine speech.
Mr.. Blanchard's effort was an exten
siye and orilliunt Grafton, and his his
torical review of Democracy was partic-
ularly fine. Among other good things |
he said:
The Democratic party has had control of the
government of the State for. the past nineteen |
years. 1t does not shrink from scrutiny of its
or tall, according as that record. fairly Judged
Is found good or bad, wise or unwise, conducive
to the public welfare and the advancement of
found the State PROSTATE from the misrule under
which 1t had suffered SO long, its indebtedness
enormously Increased, taxation ruinously high,
lts people dishearteaed, capital and immigration
stunning its borders. To throw the incubus off
70 bring order out of chaos, restore confidence
stimulus of hope in the breasts of the people, to
revive and ursackle their energies. was the task
@ which the Democratic party addressed itself.
II hrst restored the government to the hands of
us own people-the Intelligent and property
holding class. 1t put honest men in charge of
inairs, and public office was conducted as pub
These are the beneficial results of Democratic
rule. This party. now in control of the State
government. pointing to this record of achieve
nent, seckssa renewal Of tae peoples trust. But
( seems that its right to rule, its claim to con-
ascendancy, Is challeng d. Not only that
put us opponents deny that its government of
he State has been wholesome or wise. They
;harge that dis content prevails among the peo-
pie. and aver that there is good cause for it.
Unable to formulate specific charges, they at
he name of "fosterism."
Thus is the Democratic party on trial before
he State. 1t is srraigned at the bar of public
opinion. And who. let me ask, compose the
yrand jury that has brought in the bill? Who
ire the public prosecutors who y the difficult
ASK OF making good these charges1 In answer
@ these questions a coalition of homogeneous
appears. 1t has been aptly styled The
black -tan-lily- white Republican Populist
combine" ,
1t constitutes a party composed of elements
nat have no use for each other, have hardly any
hing IN common. despising one another. They (
ave crowded themselves together in this cam
,rlgn In The same boat under a banner which
displays the only inscription on which they
'ouid agree: Anybody or ANYTHING to bea. the {
resent state dminIstration!-to do which, as |
wen take Satan himself by the hand"
Such Is the lofty sentiment that animates
hese patriots. Such the animus which per- ,
AIDES their c.mpaigni But the Almighty has
placed the destinIes of Louisiana in charge of
he Democratic party. and that party must obey
he commands Of the Lord and hold the State I
Igalnst the devil and his allies.
This whole movement is a disgraceful scram-
lie for spoils and the originators of it have the
ool cffrontery to tell rs that this shameful ,
ticker. this combination of discordant Clements
S made to save the State from evil. to execute
eforms. to redress the wrongs perpetrated upon
he people by the Democratic party! God save :
he mark What Is there to reform in the State?
las not the State government been honestly and !
conducted2 IL not, let them
Joint to the instances where violations of duty
nay be found. What State government any {
where can make or has made a better exhibit?
lean handed. able. vigorous and strong, the :