The Opelousas courier., 1904-01-16

AZ PSSEAS vi tAaAc ~ CSCSL4
bling in this campaign in their pri.
mary or sovereign capacity, unde,
conditions and auspices far better
than the present generation has ever
before seen or enjoyed.
1.-The managers Of the party ma
chinery, yielding to pressure, permit
the democratic voters to name at a
primary election, candidates for pub
lie Office. This is a step forward-an
upward movement most powerful for
good and most inspiring, because it is
ar exhibition Of returning loyalty to
true democracy.
"In bringing about this condition
] have had some small part, and I ap-
preciate that the invitation to ad
dress you tonight came not because
Of any ability, influence or eloquence
but simply because for years, indeed,
eve since it has been possible to do
so, yon know I have advocated con-
slant, frequent and direct appeals to
the people in all political matters.
"The convention system which had
grown up in this State dominated
10 it was by bosses and the machine,
had conferred upon individuals the
power to obstruct good government,
and gave them the liberty to further
selfish and corrupt designs, and af-
ford q wide field for intrigue and cor
ruption. To such a pitch had this sys-
TEN contributed to the principle Of
self-election that it might be almost
truly described in the famous SEN
tence Of the great Pitt, in which he
set forth the evil system which pre-
vented his country from ever having
an honest ministry and honest minis
tiers from remaining such, or doing
their duty.
1.-THE evils and injustice of the con-
vention system were raised to the
highest power when the constitution
al provision was made that in all po-
litical conventions in this state the
apportionment of representation shall
be on the basis Of population
"In these two lines Of the Con-
stitution the purpose YVES expressed
TO bind the democracy Of this state,
hand and foot, and deliver it to the
machine
"Under the operation Of the sys-
tenn thus engrafted in the constitu-
tion it was possible for the handful of
white men in n part Of the state as
voters to count for five times the
same number In an other part of the
state. Under the operation of this
constitutional provision, by swaps
and trade which you know were con
stantly made, it was possible for the
machine Of Orleans, combined with
two or three small parish machines in
the state, to absolutely dominate the
affairs Of the state.
For many years the idea of pri-
mary elections had lain back in the
heads Of many of the best democrats
in the state. They had talked it over
among themselves and discussed it
with the voters and had suggested it
in public print.
Some OF the newspapers in the
state took it up. Then came the pow
erfnl advocacy Of The Times-Demo-
crat, with day after day convincing
arguments which awakened the pub
lie sentiment and informed the pub
Tic mind.
fThere was then needed but the
man. The hour had come. 1t was
then that this gallant Confederate
soldier announced himself as a candi-
date for the Office Of governor and
demanded that a vote Of the people be
taken on the nomination. Neither
he nor his friends for him make the
silly claim that he invented the pri-
maries but it is q historical fact that
he was the first candidate to announce
hia allegiance to this method Of party
nomination, and to demand that the
party machinery BE- put in motion to
submit nominations to the people.
There can be no greater tribute to the
wisdom and the democracy of his
course than the amusing efforts Of
Mr.. blanchard and his friends to
eInim that they we're the first advo-
Gates of primaries
When Gen. Jastremski wrote his
letter to Mr. Blanchard asking him
how the justice stood on this ques-
siom-was he ID favor Of q primary
and would join ho Gen. Jastremsk
and his friends IN an effort to pre-
vail upon the state central committee
ID provide for the holding Of j pri-
mary election, Mr.. blanchard post
poned The answer, and while admit
Hill he was i candidate Ne would not
say yas, I will 90 With you before the
people. Az one of its adherents
pressed IT, be could not safely say
this then, being engaged IN The pro-
ess 0ff what he called smoking out
Senator Poster.
al that time @h this question SEN
ator Foster hinaaSg was occupying i
position bask desibed BY the anec-
aofe EhAE IS fold one DC his friends.
III seems that gIaktor Foster was in
franklin Last snl ner, and was asked
iii one of his friads was b. support
ng Price. Jasr4nsh or Blanchard,