The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-08-07

Having considered it were wise
to invest the chief executive with
much poweri in the matter of APP
pointments. as safeguard
against the abuse of such power
for personal political ends. the
convention wrote into the consti-
tuition declaration that the gov
ernor should be ineligible for a
second consecutive term.
But few years have elapsed
since that action was taken. Not
even the span of a single admin
istration has passed into history
since the constitution was
adopted.
To effect a change of method
of filling many of the Offices
would require amendment of the
present constitution.
The great jefferson taught
that the people are the safest.
though not always the wisest. de-
pository of power. | aggree with
him shat they are the safest de-
pository of power. and if they,
speaking through the state sena-
tors and representatives they
elect, by means of constitutional
amendment proposed, or statute
enacted Gas far as the latter will
apply). wish to effect reasonable
changes in the method of selec-
ting any of their public sesvants,
| will not be found thwarting
their desires.
While the experience of ages
teaches too frequent changes in
the. government system to be I'M
wise. that continued efforts to I'M
settle the constitutional basis
upon which the government au-
thority rests create Insecurity and
Iisquiet. yet hold that whenever
well defined popular demand
arises for change in particular
articles of the constitution, or
for the addition of new articles,
it should be needed and the peo-
pie given the opportunity to vote
upon the proposed change or adj
dition. In this way only can the
fundamental law be gradually
perfected in its parts and made
responsive to the changing con-
ditions and continued develop
ment and growth of the state.
| am charged with seeking the
goyernorship as a stepping stone
TO the United States Senate.
This is untrue. IL intrusted by
the people with their commission
as governor, | would not lay it
down to become senator even if |
could be chosen to the latter posi-
ton without effort on my part.
Nor have | any purpose whatever
of interfering with either of the
distinguished gentlemen now oc-
cupying the senatorial positions
from this state by any candidacy
of my own.
4 STATE CANVASS.
It is my purpose TO resign from
the bench and make a canvass of
the state.
My intention was to do this at
once, but on reconsideration. and
taking counsel of friends, 1t is
deemed advisable to POSTPONE
this until such time as will enable
NE to work up my portion of the
court accumulated business
coming over for the vacation.
This course is thought to be Ii
consonance with tie discharge of
public duty.
The courts accumulated BUSH
ness coming over for the vacation
consists OF forty-eight cases which
had been argued and submitted.
but not yet decided when. pursu-
ant to law. the court adjourned
on the Both of June and eighteen
applications for rehearing, sixty
six eases in ali.
By due allotment number OF
these cases are In my hands.
This work my successor could
not do. nor even participate in,
because of not having heard the
argument. This being so, nv i'm
mediate resignation would throw
much additional work upon the
other four judges-work which is |
expected to be done during the |
courts vacation, and must be
done then if the docket of sub
mitted cases is to be cleared in |
readiness for the next term of
court. Very truly yours.
n. G. BLANCHARD.