The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-03-19
HE ONE NAN POWER.

VI lltlpi JNtlnCHt III HtEdSul CS dito hiNtH-
DDS which prevail in the parties and
which have operated against the people. |
BY one man power is meant the author
Ity vested in the Governor Of Louisiana
whose power is as greet, if not greater,
than the Governor Of New York. Under
The authority Of law he is vested with
the appointment Of officials in cve~E par
ish Of the State Which aggregate into
the thousands, The 4Hcstion is not on
tie personal or the qualifications Of the
appointments or appolntccs, but "heth-
CT the Governor Of Louisiana should be
permitted to exercise a power which in
one sence makes him political autOCrat.
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 appolntlve,
but in a 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 flied by one who would repre-
sent the majority of the Democrats Of
the parish, and naturally requested the
Democratic parish committee to order
primary election, 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 s1cF 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 a degree which surprised his
friends. The Governor Immediately and
uncerenoniously squelched the commit
tee who had advised him and desired
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. 1t 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 intinated that no other need ap-
lply. There could be no objection urged
against Mr. Mayheld, a gentleman es-
teetned for his personal worth, and who
ihad been the dead sheriff's chief deputy,
and it is not this appoisltement as the
would-be rebuIe Of Governor Heard to
| the Democrats of Lincoln parish for
their assumption of authority which is
vested in home alone, which should be
emphasized.
1t is true a primary would have re-
lquired delay in compliance with for
malities and technicalities, and in close
innalifies and technicalities, and in
close construction of the law the
acting sheriff could not have col
iected the taxes due and also that
such delay would have perhaps .incen-
Ivenienced people who desired to liqul-
| date their debts to the parish and State,
but the Democrats of Lincoln committed
Inc act to which Governor Heard should
Ihave taken offense. The power which is
exer Used by the Governor is supposed
| to be from the people, who are some
| times battered as sovereigns and are
sovereigns when they determine to be.
| II is clear to our mind that the apologies
| and explanations in favor Of the Cow
lernor can add little TO his credit, and he
has forced himself in a position which IS
| not in harmony with his declarations
and e1aunciations Of all rights being
vested in the people. But our purpose is
mot so much criticism of the Governor
for exercising a prerogative given him
| BY law as it is to cali the peoples atten-
ttion TO and TO emphasize the necessity OF
relieving the Governor of much if not
Iall the appointive power he possesses,
and with this and other issues before
which the claims of individuals are
minin,ized. The one man power is no
longer a necessity. The people are the
Ipower and the power must be returned
Ito the people. If not, why note