The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-06-11

sitting, and We trust that it will at.
tend to them in liberal and pro.
gressve manner, looking to the
comfort and highest good Of the
lerers Themselves, and also TO the
extinction of the dread disease in
such lew localities in Louisiana,
where it may be found.
Editor True Democrat:
As my time la week Was
taken up by an engagement which could
not be postponed was unah!e to mako my
bow rs intended. must make it now
aud leave the stage.
Some one is badly lost. Is it NY esteem
cd friend or n'ysclf: Tho point at Issue
appears to be this: Mr.. Gilmore approves
OF section $ Of our state constitution and
disapproves of the poll tax prerequisite.
My position is directly opposed to his
| III thought that the adoption of the
poll tax prerequisite, with the optional
feature, wonld produce "a bloody revolu-
ton followed by one man power" I would
he as strongly opposed to it as my friend
appoars to he. There would certainly I've
10 use for it in q community Of angels.
do not know what Mr. Gilmore means by
my Hypothetical reasoning after tho I'M
: attairah!e." Apart from the poll tax
y system advocated therein, government on
this continent is already established OF,
lines laid down in my article, and dis.
tinctly disclaimcd hope Of nything work
ing to absolute perfection. cannot SCI
that anything else was suggested that
conld he considered new, novel OF radical
Neither have I lost sight of the fact tina
: the main object was the elimination Of Tx
negro vote, but think it unfair to t!,t
! white man who Must stand test Of fit
ness thatthero should be established a,
f aristocyacy Of deMe,it whose solo claim L
the ballot rests upon the fact that it was
possessed by tho fathers or grandfather
OF its meu,hers. have advocated the poi
tax prerequisite because believed that
! ifproperly applied, it would, as a means
, to The end desired, be more effective tl,a;,
. anything else suggested, and at the same
time do less violence to the American p,in
ciplo Of government. regard tho PR
, vision in tho new constitution for a pol
I tax, imperfect as it il, as tho one redeem
ing feature of the suffrage ordinance. IT.
: operation was delayed in order to cnahlt
the Fitzpatrick gang to regain control o.
Now Orleans, but, unless an ovcrwhelm
{ ing majority of the white people of Ill,
! country parishes are sadly deluded about
I its merits, those members who secured IFS
incorporation have strong claim upv,
: cur gratitude.
Y All who think that poll tax prc1cqnis
3 lite will operate as al incentive to franc
e and corruption should not only oppose al
e measures looking towards the pertectiue
of the SYSTEM, but shonld work for tn,
. elimination Of the provision for it iii on
constitution. On the other hand, those
a like myself, who think it y potent anti
f dote to both, owe it to our state to wor!
for its retention until Convinced OF the
error Of their position.
u While believing with q thinli) a vasI
e majority of the people Of Louisiana. tina
the people have been needy trapped d.,
the politicians. hope that there will h
no moro convention folly. It is cost
and unsatisfactory business. We wouI
have no guarantee that the work of al
G other convention would he less unsatis
q factory than orr present organic law.
The people who We're permitted to yot
" under tho registration law, for q const it
u tional convention could chad the Lcgisla
|e turo which submitted tile convention prt
II position to them submitted sat.sfactor
O proposals for changes in tao old constit.
- tioM have changed their organic la
" without all Of the expense and disappoin
II mcnt attendant upon the work Of til
r. convention. The same people will vol
I. under the provisions Of the suffrage ord
e, dinance of the present constitution. l.
40 them learn wisdom by perionce-lnak