New Iberia enterprise and independent observer., 1904-06-25
SOUTHERN POLITICAL STANDARDS.

SuU lnERN 'bliiiLHL ~ ANbHNDo.
Several days ago Hon. James ii
Eckels former comptroller Of the
currency, delivered an address be-
fore the Alumni Association of the
University of Georgia, in which he
used the following language.
1t has been frequently said in the
North that the South is the home OF
the politician. | rejoice that there
is at least one section of the country
where politics is an honorable pro
fession, and every man feels that
he must discharge his duty toward
the State. | wish that everywhere
throughout the land public Office
invited to the discharge of public
duty men of ofcharacter, and scholarly
attainments. The country wOuld
be far better for such service and
even the humblest position which
has to do with science and control
Of government would again take
on the character of an honorable
position.
1t is fact recognized by broad
minded men throughout the conn
try that up to the present time
Southern politics has not been vul-
CARRIED by the corrupt use OF
money.
OF course such a statement is not
intended to apply to the republican
custom Of buying negro delegates,
bnt to the standards prevalent
among the white democrats of the
South. Several months age Sen
ator HOar, in an address to re-
publican audience, alluded to this
fact and expressed the hope that
some day Northern politics might
be elevated TO Southern standards.
1t is a high tribute to Southern
character and is justly deserved.
Time was when it was the habit
of certain men in the North to
criticise Southern elections and
charge all manner Of crimes against
the ballot, but the world is coming
to know that every step Of import
ance which has been taken with
regard to the ballot has been in the
direction Of good government and
honest election The ignorant and
vicious elements have been elimi-
mated, and the Southern election,
with rare exceptions, is free aud
honest expression Of the will of
the people.
The effect has been to bring for
ward men of high character and
ability to administer affairs of state
and to represent the States in the
Federal congress.
The use of money to purchase
votes is unknown in any Southern
State. Corporations are never
called on for campaign contribu-
tions. The people are afforded an
opportunity for free and fair
Of their desires, aud no
attempt is made thwart them by
or corporations. Million
aire senator's represent no Southern
State. This is not because our
do not covet political
honors, but because q senatorshlp
in the South is an unpurcLasable
quantity.
II the South affords tS the ma
ton a lofty example of political
virtue, it is true also that her gov
eruments are the most economical.
Probably all the governments OF
the States which once constituted
The Confederacy do not cost in the
what the government OF
he State of New York costs Taxa
ion is low, honest administration
IS prevalent everywhere, and scan-
1al is rarely breathed against
public official.
And these conditions are perma-
nent.
There is not the slightest fear
that some day Southern politics
will be dominated by money.
Southern sentiment woald never
tolerate such thing. Aud we are
glad this is so, and glad it is the
of the South to afford an
example which evokes the CON-
mendation of the friends of good
government in every par. Of the
country. -Picayun.e
That Threbblss Headache