The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-11-25
ADDRESS,.
To the Democratic Voters of Bossier::

parish to the Constitutional Conven-
ton called to meet in February next
The work to be performed by this
Convention is of vast importance to
the State, and it is but just to you in
soliciting your support, I should out
line, in a general way, my views on
the most important of the questions
and propositions likely to engage the
attention of the Convention. Expect
ing to be candidate for this posi-
ton, I have, during the summer and
fall, given to the subject matter
good deal of thought and study.
favor a decided reform in matters
PERTAINING to suffrage and election.
A qualification should be placed upon
suffrage to the end that the political
control of the State should always
rest in the hands OF the Intelligent
and property holding classes
favor a REIMBURSEMENT of the Judi
cial system of the State in such way
that while the administration of JUS
tice may be prompt and thorough,
it will be accomplished at less ex-
pense to the people than at present.
I favor the adoption and mainten-
ance of a most liberal policy on part
OF the State in the matter of public
education, to the end that provision
may be made for better schools and
terms of full length, not less than
eight months out of the twelve.
I favor public policy on the part
of the State that will eliminate trusts,
prevent monopolies, and hold those
now existing in check; and that will
result in common carriers and trans
portation lines being forced to deal
fairly with the people and held to
reasonable exactions in the matter of
freight rates without discrimination.
I favor system of conducting the
governmental affairs of the State to
the end that the same may not be a
burden in the way OF taxation upon
the people. Rigid economy and the
strict accountability of public ser
wants should be the foundation stones
of such system.
favor system of government
that will make elective by the people
| the officials that are to be intrusted
with the administration of public
affairs, and that will prevent too
long term of Office by one man.
You understand, of course, that a
Constitution must necessarily be gen
eral in its terms, and that it remains
for the General Assembly, by legisla
tive enactment, to work out the
details of most of the matters herein
before referred to.
The fact that I am now one of the
Senators from the District, and that
it will devolve upon the present Leg
islature, whose term of office contin.
ues until 1900, to carry into effect by
appropriate legislation the provisions
of the new Constitution, is a circum-
stance to which I may not inappro-
priately call your attention. Should
| serve in the Constitutional Conven
ton and participate in the formation
OF the new Constitution, I will, I
submit, be all the better qualified to
interpret its provisions and to legis-
late concerning the same, in my ca
pacity as Senator.
The time for your action on this
nomination is so near that it will be
impossible for me to make thorough
canvass and I take this method of
presenting my views on the main
questions, pledging myself, if elected,
to use my best efforts to carry them
into effect. Respectfully,
j. A. W. LOWRY.
| At this time nearly everybody is
interested in crop and market re-