The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-06-04
HON. LEON JASTREMSkI.

rounced as candidates for governor o
so far as indicated by a special from
Baton Rouge to the Eimes-DemOcraT
reproduced in this issue, has given al
inkling of his intention. While he il
reserved, somewhat hesitating on GER
| tain issues in which he should be boll
and fearless, he is sufficiently explicit
in his declaration in favor of primary
elections, which is emphasized by hi
urging on the Central committee tbs
adoption Of this system for the nomina-
ton of candidates of the democratic
party. This position will win to Mr.
Jastrer1ski many loyal democrats
| throughout the state, who have for
| years been opposed to the cut and
dried convention plan, manipulated by
a few, for the benefit Of the select, re
CARELESS of the wishes of the majority
| of the democrats who vote. However,
there is a feature, or clause of Mr..
| Jastrewski's declaration which is vague
and misleading-"that is to say, to
voice their preferences in the nominal
tions of candidates, and to elect all
| public officials whom it is practicable
for the people to elect"
What Interpretation should be placed
| on his words, ito elect all public Of
fcials whom it is practicable for the
people to elect?"
The contention of the great majority
of democrats who vote (and these in
Louisiana are the people in a political
sense) are in favor of the return to the
people of all appointive power now
vested in the governor. 1t it be prac-
ticable for the democracy of Louisiana
to vote for and elect their governor.
why should they not have the right to
elect ali the public officials who are
now appointed by the governor. Of
whom there are thousands throughout
the state.
The Caucasian. as an organ of the
beeen a long and steadfast advocate Of
primary elections for the nomination OF
candidates, in opposition to the conven-
ton system; the Caucasian, which has
been the foremost and for along time the
only advocate of the return of all
power to the people must insist
tool
they have the sense required to select
a governor why should they not pos
sess the judgment ito elect all pubic
officials?"
1t would appear to the Caucasion as
if Mr. sJastremski had constructed his
platform hastily and therefore, as all
his planks have not been nailed fast
and strong, he may tear up the ambig-
uous and cast aside the glittering gen
eralities for an emphatically declared
policy which will appeal to the reason
and the patriotism of the people. sag
1t should be self-evident that the
people are weary of the fossilized sys-
tenn, inaugurated in the days of radi- |
cialism and perpetuated to this date, |
but change is desired, a change is
and there must be and there |
will be a change in methods autocratic |
for the rule democratic.
In the contention for the govern |
ment the candidate who would win !
must not be faint hearted, nor can he |
deal in duplicity. He must take the |
people into his confidence; he must |
frankly tell the people where he stands; /
he must be manly. 1t has been too |
ong reproach, a blot on the intelli-
sence of the democracy to concede that |
The will of one individual has been |
swayed in favor of the select and it
1as been and it is being said currently
Is a fact that the candidate who is to
De our next governor of Louisiana must
receive the approval of this individual
il he can have no ghost of q chance
or success, regardless of his merit and
popularity. Such an admission seems
nonstrous to democrats whose aim
md purpose is to promote the well
are of the democracy of the state, in
i1C oClCSIiOi VI LIE DGSI ft1Gn IOr the |
'arious positions of honor and trust,
men who are not bound by pledges to
he. political machine in recognition of
avors received.
The declaration of Mr.. Jastremski in |
avor of the primary system of NOM
nation must force the aspirants for
honors to this position.
10 candidate can now plead for the old
cut and dried" convention system. To
ppose the primary system would be
ne equivalent to an admission of dis
rust of the fairness and honesty of the
who vote. Indeed, Mr. Jas
declaration for primary cleo
ons must force on the candidates and
the central committee this demand, |
svored by the great majority of DEM
Gratis who vote, but which has been
ersistently ignored or evaded under
eaS fundamentals oopno& ~ eo;7