The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-08-07
JUDGE ]. 7. WATKINS NOMINATF1
Mass Meeting At Minden Launches A Roo,
Websfer's Favorite Jur;st--.c.,s;ax =
In Favor OF Prin1aries---Elis Address.

cue at MInden last thursday wa
attended By citizens from til
Northwest parishes of Louisiana
the number present reaching 8,
600. Numbers of speeches wer
! made by prominent men from th,
different parishes and everyon,
endorsed the candidacy of Judg,
Watkins. Resolutions were
adopted endorsing Judge Wat
skins for governor and pledgins
him the support of those present
at the lnasSmeeting.
After the meeting had expressed
itself In the matter, Judge Wat.
kins stated that he would accept
the trust reposed in him and gave
the following as his views.
JUDGE WATKINS SPEECH.
Mr.. Chairman and Fellow Cit
zens:
The expressions uttered here
today have profoundly impressed
me. No one appreciates friend
snip more than myself. Sur
rounded now by many who have
known me ali of my life and be-
lieYing that there Is not one in
this vast assembly who is not my
personal friend, feelit my duty
to speak my convictions fully,
without reserve, even on those
questions which do not per Sc
appertain to the guhernatorial
chair.
When a candidate is offering
for position it is a common
thing 70 .sut questions to him
which in 10 way test his qualiii-
cation to fill the Office for which
be Is offering, expecting that an
answer either way may effect his
popularity. The test for every
man should be. is ne qualified? |
suppose that i large majority of
those in the sound of my voice
are IN favor eff a direct primary
election for the purpose of nomi-
mating candidates from constable
70 governor. | have always ad-
yocated nominations by primary
sfor city, ward. parish and district
efhcers. As a matter of princi-
pie, where IT is practicable. it is
fright. But nothing is right to
be attempted where it is utterly
lnapracticable to carry it into
eifect. The governor of the state
has nothing TO do with the man.
'ler IL which the nominations are
made. That is left entirely in
me hands of the state central
eommittee. Four years ago when
tne state central committee was
called together to determine how
tne nomination should be made,
lne question for primaries was
pressed. Such men on the COM
!nlttee as Hon. D. G. Scarborough
rom Natchitoche.s, and others
INSISTED that no one but rich
msn could become governor of
tae state of Louisiana through
sne g medium of primary election,
dne convention plan was carried
len. As the members of the
vale central committee are SUBJ
Aanually the same now, as then.
Alo q they based their arguments
snu votes upon the idea that this
overnment would be converted
ato rich mans government if
~ primary plan were adopted.
. g not easy to conceive that
ssley have shifted their convic-
ii.e conclusion is that a con-
ssn1lon will be ordered. If a
amary election were practica-
IS ! would much perfer it. The
ary OF the governor is $4,000
s. annum. For four wears it
counts to $50, 900. In all the
.llnary elections with which /
Is had any connection the can
mes announce in all the news
'ess, pay for their tickets, issue
iars, pay for their tickets
.ng carried to the polls on the
Of election, have some one to
s after their Interest at the
lls on the day of election, pay.
81 ollls. car fare and oil other
g expenses. 1t is no trouble
e up the list of ex-
af such . campaign to
fOr the state, particularly
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