The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1903-03-07
Don't Undertake too Much
Felicianas.

wish TO force IN the next campaign.
There are few of these we DO not
approve, but it will be serious
error TO complIcate mstters by un
dertaking too much at one time
The public school system, for III
stance, will do as 1t is for the pres
ent. There ls no use dragging 1t
into the next campaign. 1t is e1-
tremeIy doubtful if 1t could be i'm
proved by doing 30. So it Is with
other Issues mentioned. The main
issues-the issues of vital interest
upon which all other reforms and
improvements must Of necessity
depend, are, the adoption of prl-
maries as means of making pom'-
nations, and the abolition Of State
patronage.
At present our party "rgan'za-
ton is maintained through an elab-
crate appolnt,ve system of office
holders. IT. Is true that, nominally,
we have an independent party or
ganizatlon, but in reality IT is not
true, as ls witnessed by the lorna
ton of our State Central Committee.
Our party organization is built up
and maintained on the theory tina,
administration exercise aud control
of the State patronage is necessary
for it's success.
Let US review the origin and more
salient features of this plan:
1t had its origin in the recon.truc-
ton period and was adopted as
means of deprlving negroes of as
many of the rights and privileges
conferred by ballot as possible.
No one will deny TIT it accom-
plished this result.
Now two important facts will be
noticed IN this connection:
First, there was opposition to the
Democratic, or white mans party,
of this State!
Secondly, This opposition was Of
such character that 1t was consid-
cred necessary to deprive it of all
political privileges possible-the
ballot particularly.
What are the conditions and re-
suits to-day?
The common enemy has been
long since vsnqu,shed, but the IN
iqultous system, which can only ex-
list unfairly IN the interests Of one
party or faction, at the expense of
another. has built up an opposition
within its own party ranks. Thus
we have the administration and
anita ADMINISTRATION party OF this
STATE! And we are bound to have
them as long as the system remains
1t distinctly organizes and main
tains, with the Unfair advantage Of
government patronage, one faction
thin the party at the expense OF
another. No matter how wisely or
efficiently the government may be
administered an administrator par
ty is the inevitable result. SO that,
as a matter Of tact, 1t mai ntalns
factionnl organization and breedp
discord within the party ranks.
But this is not only anomaly
presented by this method OF party
organization or machinery. By
fredericksburg the white voters OF
the State, with the same methods
and laws employed in dlsfrancbls-
ing the ignorant and vicious negroes
of the reconstruction period, and
other equally undemocratic methods,
1t controls the true democratic SEN
timent and majority of this State.
This is the most important ques
ton that confronts tie people of
Louisiana to-day. When any ele.
ment or issue of discord exists with
IN the party 1t should, If possible,
be removed. True, the question Is
much larger than one ef party, mere.
ly, but for the sake of party and
party harmony alone it should be
changed. This great State can no
longer afford to claim or maintain
= patent right to dabble in petty
polltics-to enforce against it's hon.
est, intelligent white citizens recon.
structlOn extremes and subterfuges
that were designed only to check
ieluded negrots and unprlncipled
whites.
Until thus patronage is entirely
destroyed there will be no political