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

was perhaps more effective from its very
conservatism. He spoke in part as fol-

lows:
We have assembled here to-day for the pur.
pose or lnauguratlng the campaign of 1865 in
behalf CT the grand old Democratic party of the
State of Louisiana; to unfurl again its banner
/ on which is inscribed IN letters of living light
Equal rights to all. and special privileges to
none, ~, ana 70 summon tc ITS support the brave
Under eighteen years of Democratic rule the
State OF Louisiana has moved steadily onward
and upward upon all lines of industrial and
agricultural development until to-day she stands
as the peer In wealth and happiness of any of her
sister States in this great Union. Her fields and
forests have yielded abundant harvest for men
and beasts. Their citizens have enjoyed all Of
the blessinga of liberty. and all of the rich priv
Leges OF free government.
Called by the unanimous Democracy of this
commonwealth to head this ticket and to lead
Its forces to victory, l appear before you as a
candidate for reelection to the highest office in
tse siI Q, ne people IN doing SO for second
Offering as an earnestness Of my future execu-
tive nction what has been accomplished in the
past 81 my administration, now drawing to
close. The Official record of myself and Demo-
cratic associates in the State government il now
weil-algh completed and it lies before you as
an open book which he who runs may read. BY
1t we Will be judged, and confidently base our
claims for continued Democratic ascendancy
upon Its demonstrated results.
he ascrIbed to his co-ohicers much credit for
the growth and prosperity of the state and also
attributed much credit to his predecessors for
their wise and prudent administration. Here
as being onerous on the taxpayers. He then dis
cussed the settlement IT the bonded obligations
under the act creating board of audit and ex-
cnange and he retirement of In crest bonds
and outstanding warrants of 1885 and 1885 and
past due coupons and baby bonds. and by exact
tabuiatlon showing over 81 ,v0J was saved to the
an annual interest account of s2s.VvV on these
same bonds was stopped, and the settlement by
compromise with creditors OF $66l,UO of the
floating debt for xS5OVUU, leaving only xi3sItal
of the floating debt against the State which has
arranged to be settled by setting aside x62OOO 10
meet them. He stated that there has been pur-
chased OF baby bonds s3j5. l35, at cost OF $780,
5e9. saving In the transaction S2i4 545 In all of
these several settlements and transactions there
were retired Sl,o77,7sy of the State Obligations
at cost of 81, 254JvO, saving to the State Ss;23
Uu0. he said that after ali the demands of 1885
shall have been paid there will be a surplus of
SSu0OVJ. SO that tins great work had not been
at the expense Ut the other departments.
he showed an increased appropriation the
different institutions of the state of x282 00 800
and all TINS without the lottery's $4JO0o per an
mum heretofore made In former adm lnistra |
tons. 10 show that all this improvement had |
not been at the expense OF public schools he |
sand that the number of schools had increased |
nearly ~ per cent, teachers IA per cent. and
roliment ~ per cent. ali IN four years. He gave
data to show that all these increased expendi- |
lures and resources had not been by over-assess-
ing the people.
10 continuing, he demonstrated the growth in |
all lines The rate of taxation has been reduced |
and many public improvements have been |
made, he SAID: These results have been ac- !
conpiished In the last eighteen years of Demo- !
cratic rule by an honest and economical gov |
The path OF progress and prosperity |
was hrst Diazed out 81 my predecessors, and |
pointed"
He then discussed the charge of too |
much appointive power of the executive
as means of controlling politics OF the |
State and the conventions of his party.
thereby defeating the will Of the people.
He said he shared in this belief and had |
in his last message that
police jurors shoull be
elected, and had also recommended a
aw creating board of supervisors to be
4 joint board of control over the election
n lieu OF returning officers.
He spoke OF the old soldiers and said:
There is one act of this administration
20 which l can point with Just pride,
fhe old Confederate soldier holds
warm place In the heart of every true
His silent sntferings in the
amp and his matchless deeds OF bravery
lpOn the fields of battle have thrown
glory upon American valor,
md representing, as 1 do, another gener-
tion, too young to participate in that
earfnl war, deem it bust just tribute
o the old soldiers of the lost cause that
his generation should recognize the
leedy Confederate soldier as worthy
bject for their grateful and generous
and when / remember
hat in the glorious battle for the Demo
ratio party of white supremacy and self
oyernment in 1876, these old veterans !
gain consecrated their lives and fortunes
0 their people and their State, waging a |
7ar and gaining a victory against the
lied forces of the national Republican
arty and their arrayed cohorts of car
et-baggers, scallawags and traitors and ,
egroes, no less grand and glorious than {
he most splendid accomplishment upon I
be field at Manassas or the charge at I
felt that the great Demo
ratio party of this State should comfort ! I
heir declining years, and am proud to {
ay that, under the inspiration and in
uence of this administration, the voice c
I justice has been heard, and, tardy :
hough it be, the last remaining remnant
the old battle-scared veterans and the | I
'idows of those who have passed beyond 3
he bivouac'of battle and the scenes of |
arthly care, will be amply provided for {
D long as life shall last, by pensions {
-on the bounty of their State" In
Now, feliow-citizens, you are asked to |
trike down the Democratic party OF this {
tate, in order that the reign of this gov 1t
may be transferred to the hands I
those who we're the principal actors in '
nat carnival of public debauchery and s
lisrule in 1874 and 1876. To the most t
usual observer, it is perfectly evident \
nat the same old leaders of reconstruc- 9
on days have again forged TO the front, {
nd are seeking 10y every possible device t
, dupe and fool the people of this State s
nat they may again assume the reign Of '
over and the privileges of public plumber. t
He ensconsidered the Populist con- +
ention. which said they would not CON- c
Inc with the negro party, nominating a {
Ill ticket of their own, which was pulled e
own by handful of men, by the CON-
littee which combined the sugar plant 1
RS and negroes. So we can see, said the \
OvernOr that tho preSant ticket ia n | r