The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-04-05
A CUT AND DRIED" CANDI-
DATE

From the way the papers throughout
the State have begun to agitate politics
we should judge the political pot will
soon begin to poll. In fact, it has begun
to sizzle little already
1t is immattrial to lis when the ball
is opened, just so the people wake up i'll
time to have their say We should re-
grct very much to see the people Of the
State sleep on their rights and awake
only after a cut and dried candidate
had been nominated by a convention.
Let the peuplc-thc ones who should
have their say-selcct Democratic
nominee by white primary system, or
some such system as will permit the
masses to have voice in the affair.
There is one thing as sure as fate, and
that is, the administration has things
cut and dried" and will carry the day
in walk unless the people demand a
say and demand it in time. The first
thing the people are aware of, should
they be too prone to slumber, Conven-
ton will be upon them, and everybody
knows what that means.
To nip the thing in the bud clamor
for a white primary, chance for the
people, then the people will have some
show to dictate-Richland Beacon.
1t will not be questioned that certain
individuals in this State will dominate
and perpetuate themselves or their sue
cessors in Office, if the people are allured
into fancied security, or, when aroused
and urged to action, neglect or fail to
manifest and to exercise the power they
possess and can WELD for the better
ment of the State. 1t will be conceded
that the people being more or less oCcu-
pied with their affairs, business or agri-
cultural, are unlike the Office-hOlders
and have little time and inclination to
scheme politics. The, politician, the
man who has been fattening at the pub
lie crib and never tires of his feeding,
is always on the alert, always scheming
to maintain himself in his soft job, y
and would naturally stand in with the
side which he believes may contribute
to his holding on to his job, but this
same politician will be easily persuaded
to change his base and be with the peo-
pie if the people will insist OH their
rights. The question or issue in the
campaign which must engage attention
must be for either Office or for prin-
ctbles. If for Office, then let every one
scramble and get the most of it but if
it be for principles, then let the de-
mands for. principles be clear and we'll
defined. We ass rt that the major
ity of Democrats who vote are opposed
to the nomination of a governor or
other officers by'a t:.cut and dried" con-
vention in which the cut and dried"
candidates are foisted ON the people who
may be damifed il: they do not approve
+ the program, and being opposed. to con-
ventions will favor the nopiinatioifs by
a Democratic primary ELECTION. It may
also be asserted that the, great majority
of Democrats swho-vote are in favor OF
the return Of all political power to the
people which is now vested in THE 6 81
ernor by appointment. through which
his. spoWeftis greater: than that of any
governor Of any. State Of the tbs. Union, and
no Democrat who is opposed to the
present system Of appointments and, of
cut and 'dried'S conventions should de-
clare himself sci in favor of any gentleman,
candidate for governor: and other Offices,
who should notsannounce nanfully his
views and attitude. on these questions.
No man should be nominated and elect
ed for governor who is opposed to the
return of all power to the people: J -
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