The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1903-02-21

that incompetence) on the other,
will result III the revolution.
So much for the general ques
ton.
Now to your charge concerning
the candidate | have favored tor
next governor more particularly
for the reason that | believe he
would more keenly appreciate the
opportunities for h,gh-mindedness
to make tame III Louisiana history
just at the present.
| answered you perfectly honest
ly as to your query. | do not know
how Mr.. Broussard atands on any
of ,hs planks l have advanced,
looking to the faithful political re.
generation Of this State.
Now, do not mountebank me.
You are no harlequin, YOU know.
Answer me these two questions:
Hon do you think the PEOPLE
Of the State stan0 on these plaaks ?
Now, among The coiossi men
toned as possible candidates for
governor, is there one who would
dare advocate that the dem ocracy
bs restored by cutting out every
slnecure and looping off all the
governors appointive patronage and
making it ineligible for sheriff to
succeed himself?
Be honest, now. Let me know
which candidate avowedly espouses
the cause of the real democracy
let me know which sspirant will
back these planks openly before con-
sention time.
/ pause for a reply. And you
will pardon me if | tell you l am
prepared for pretty long pause.
How do the people stand? All!
there's the rub! 1t is difficult, very
difficult, indeed, to answer this
question honestly and t,uthfuily.
In times gone by We have heard
many people "swesr by the beard
of the Prophet that they were
heartily sick and tired of the
shameless, disgraceful manner H.
which political affairs IN this State
are conducted and that they would
cheerfully JON any movement or
which bad for It's oh
ject the wiping out and exterlninat.
ing of the gang that are responsible
for it. Later, when the fight was
on and an honest effort waa .he,ng
made by honest men to achieve 8
result that would bring aboot the
desired change. We Rave seen these
same people in the front rank OF
"the gang" whoop,ng things up for
all they were worth.
Undoubtedly there are many in
telligcnt people In the State who re-
alize the seriousness and danger OF
preeent conditions and would like
TO see change that would rebound
to the Safes advantage, bnt they
do not care to take prominent
part in the movement and thereby
become target for the petty perse-
cutions that fall to the lot OF all
who openly put themseles on recorc
as being opposed to the powers thar
be. Of course If the people coul
once be aroused, as you say, and ar
rayed against the ollgarchy of office
holders, ''tbere would be somelbins
DOING For years well-meaning
men have worked on the hypo'h he
sis that "the needed reforms coul}
be worked out inside of the parity
Has 1t been accomplished up to
date? No! Aud it never Will be.
Why? Because the Office -holders,
their brothers, cousins and nephew'
are too powerful aud will zee thai
nothing which promises serious
opposltlcmlo their macblnat!uas l.
permitted to govery far. When amal
who wields little Influence organ
yes a kick, an alarm IS sounded a
ence. A man who can 'approach'
him is selected, told what to do ant
| is sent to him. He may want scme
thing or q relative or friend may
he IS told tie thing can be had OF
demand If he will "just keep hand
Off" and that settles it. Sinecure
aud guberDatoral appointments ar
dangerous things, and, at the sam
time, mighty motors. "Do bu
arouse the people," you say. Truly