The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1904-03-23
REPUBLICAN MEETING.
Gen. w. J. Behan, Judge Hunter
and Hon. l.. p. Bryant Ad-
dress The rleeting.
A Complete Synopsis of Gen. Be.
hans's Address Given. Fair Crowd
in Attendance.

Thursday evening the date for
the Republican mass meeting
proved to be a most disagreeable
night. Before night clouds
came up and when dark came on
it was black darkness pierced by
fitful lightning, threatening
a heavy downpOur of rain any
moment yet, Notwithstanding,
the weather, a fair crowd all
white men, estimated at between
POO and $50, assembled to hear
the issues of the day discussed
from a Republican standpoint.
About 7:3O the Sontag Military
Band, which furnished delight
full music for the occasion began
playing. At 8 Mr.. J. A. Char
gois called the meeting to order
and requested Col. G. A. Breaux
to act as chairman, who appointed
Mr.. Mike Crouchet as secretary.
Col. Breaux opened the
meeting with a few words ex-
planning it's object and then ir a
graceful manner introduced Gen.
w. J. Behan, postmaster at New
Orleans, and Republican candi-
date for governor.
Gen. Behan began by report
ing progress of the party as de-
mOnstrated to him on his tour
over twelve Or fifteen parishes.
He stated that the principles of
Republicanism were growing and
that many Democrats are be-
coming independent and ready
to cast their lot with the Repuli-
can party. He then outlined the
policies of the party stating that
the main difference between
Democracy and Republicanism
was a question of free trade or
protection. Here he showed the
advantage of protection to the
rice, cane and lumber industries
of Louisiana, recalling the dis
astrous result of Clevelandism
and Democracy by contrasting
the crisis of 1898, due to free
trade doctrines, and the follow
ing depression in 1894, when
marching armies of unemployed
advanced on Washington clamor-
ing for work or bread. So great
was the financial disturbances
that President Cleveland felt
himself compelled to send United
States troops to quel riots in
Chicago which were some of the
consequences following the
doctrines of free trade.
Gen. Behan next enumerated
the benefits to the whole country
| in connection with another great
policy of the Republican party
that of internal improvements,
embracing levies, harbor inn
provement and public build
ings, the money for which
was furnished by protection.
and which gave employment to
thousands regardless of locality
or party affiliations.
He called special attention to
the enterprise of the present ad-
ministration and the diplomatic
sagacity of President Roosevelt
in securing the property and
control of the Panama canal,
which, while it would be of great
benefit to our nation, would yield
it's richest returns upon Louisi
ana and it's metropolis. New Or
leans and provide an opening fol
it's young men to realize theil
future success.
Leaving general topics the
speaker then touched particu
larly upon State matters pointing
out that while assessments have
been going higher and higher nj
reduction in the tax rate ensuec
explained by the fact that as thu
. revenues increased so did thu
number of officials, new boards
and commissions with theil
, numerous accessories of em
: ployees and expenditures. HI
. alluded to the excessive appoint
ing power Of the governor whicl
reaches the enormous numbe