The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1900-04-07
SHOULD NOT COMPLAIN.

uAtiOn papers OF the NePuoHCan-
fusion ticket of this parish have
been rejected by the election board
ut Baton Rouge. On accoun: of
the action OF the Board this peace
full and law abiding community is
threatened with very serious trouble.
Some irresponsible parties glibly
talk of shotguns, winchesters and
other things of the same sort. We
hope, however, that these wild
threats will serve only to make
those who utter them ridiculous in
the eyes of sensible people.
Under the law certain conditions
must be complied with IN preparing
nomina alton papers. Before all
courts there are well-established
rules which are to be observed. In
the present case the Democratic
nominees protested against the
nomination papers of the Republi
cans on the ground that they were
irregular. The Democrats claimed
that the Republicans had violated
the law in the preparation of their
nomination papers and appealed to
the Board to rule them out. The
Board sustained the protest of the
Democrats and the nomination
papers of the Republicans were re-
jected.
Speaking of the contest from this
parish the Times Democra, core
spondent at Baton Rouge says:
The Republican nomination papers from
Lafayette parish contested by Sheriff Ike
Broussard proved an easy morsel for the
election board. For abundant errors and
fragrant irregularities these nomination
papers carried off the laurels. Candidates
signed their own nomination papers, sgners
failed to write their addresses, the political
designation and the elephant were placed
upon the papers after certi6cation by the
registrar, and several signers after hearing
of the irregularities in getting up the docu-
ments withdrew their names. The contest
ants were represented by Mr.. Thomas J.
Herman and the Republicans, although
amply notified, failed to have representa-
tive present.
The board promptly sustained the protest
of Sheriff Broussard.
No one will accuse the Times
Democrat of being partial to :he
present administration and that
journal tells US that the omination
papers of the Lafayette Republicans
sscarried off the 1aureIs for abund-
ant errors and fragrant irregulari
ties"
We do not wish our remarks to
of the present election law. Far
from that We believe that the
next Legislature should repeal this
law or change it SO as to simplify
matters. Although this law has
been framed by some Of the best
men in the State and voted for by
Legislators of unqu-stioned integ
rity and conceded ability we do not
think it is suited to the genius Of
our people, 1t matters not what
may be Its purposes or however
honest its Interpretation and en-
forcement, it is our opinion that it
will be a source of trouble at every
recurring election.
But in the case of the parish Re-
publican fusion candidates the de-
cision of the Board seems very
much like the melting out Of poetic
justice. At the primary held last
December a full vote was poIled.
Out Of d registration of 1888 1000
votes were cast Republicans voted
IS freely as Democrats. They voted
solidly for their favorltes but were
defeated. They were honestly
beaten. AS honorable men the de-.
feated candidates should have ten
sdered their support TO the victo-