The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-03-15
THE ONE MAN POWER.

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which have operated against the people.
BY one man power is meant the auth0r-
1ty vested in the Governor Of Louisiana
whose power is as great, if rot greater,
than the Governor of New York. Under
the authority Of law he is vested with
the appointment Of officials in every par
1sh OF the State which aggregate lut0
the thousands. The question is nol on
the personal or the qualifications Of the
appointments or appOintecS, but Wncth-
ct the Governor of Louisiana should be
permitted to exercise a power which in
one serce makes him political a,uocrat
1t is true this power was vested in the
Governor TO safeguard the people at a
time when the State was in peril but
there is now no danger since the people
who have the right to govern are in full
possession of the State Under the pres
ent system Of appointment the people
are not only relieved of the authority of
electing officers to positions appontive,
but in vacancy such as sheriff, for in
stance, the wishes of the people may be
nullihed altogether. as was practically
demonstrated in Lincoln parish recently
where there was a vacancy resulting
from the death of the sheriff of that par
ish. In such case, under the law, the
coroner of the parish assumes charge
until the vacancy is filled. When this
vacancy occurred the citizens of Lin
coin expressed a desire to have such
vacancy filled by one who would repre-
sent the ajority of the Democrats Of
the parish, and naturally requested the
Democratic parish committee to order a
primary election,s at which the Demo-
Gratis would be given an opportunity of
declaring their choice. 1t was under
stood and agreed to that the man receiv-
ing such majority should be the sheriff |
Accordingly the Democratic parish COM
mittee fixed a date for such primary,
which provoked the ire of Governor |
Heard to degree which surprised his
friends. The Governor Immediately and |
t1nceremoniously squelched the commit |
tee who had advised him and desired a |
delay in the appointment until the people |
could speak. Not only were the people
willing but the several candidates read |
lily acquiesced in a proposition which |
was fair and Democratic, Ii is unneces-
sary to quote what Governor Heard said |
except that he declared that the people |
had no authority and that he had al
ready appointed the man, Mr.. Mayheld, |
and he animated that no other need APP
ply There could be no objection urged |
against Mr. Mayfeld, a gentleman es-
termed Tor his personal weTth, and who
had been the dead sheriff's chief deputy,
and it is not this appointelnent as the
wonA-be rebuke OF Governor Heard to
the Democrats OF Lincoln parish for
then assumption of authority which is
vested in home alone, which should be
It is true a primary would have re-
4u1red delay in compliance with for
nsalities and technicahties, and in close,
nalities and technicalities, and in a
close construction Of the law the
scting sheriff cqsld not have col
arted the taxes due and also that
yuch delay would have perhaps ineon- I
1anieneed people who desired to 1iqui-
bate their debts TO the parish and State,
nit the Democrats of Lincoln committed
~ act to which Governor Heard should
rave taken offerrse The power which isl
exercised by the Governor is supposed
9 be from the people, who are some.
an1es hattered as severeigns and are
overeigns wheri they determine to be.
IS clear to our mind that the apologies
md explanations IN favor OF the Gov-t
rnor can add lfTtle to his credit, and he
as forced himself in position which is
OF in harmony with his declarations
nd enunciations Of all rights being
ested in the people. But our purpose is
OF so mitch criticism of the Governor
Or exercising a prerogative given himl
y law as it is to call the peoples atten-i
on TO and to emphasize the necessity of ]
slieving the Governor of r1uch if not
1 the appointive power he possesses.
nd with this and other issues before
hicf, the claims of individuals areI
itlinlfaed. The one man power is no t
niger necessity. The people are the G
over and the power must be returned !
the people. If not, why not? Il
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