The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1906-09-01

| der me to stand as the Democratic
| candidate to represent this district
in Congress.
would be less than human did
not express here my gratitude for
this marked honor to you, who
have selected me and through you
to the Democracy of this district,
which you so ably, patriotically
and conscientiously represent. NV
sole concern is how to express my
gratitude.
This is the sixth time the good peo-
pie of this district have honored me
in the manner III which you have
Just done. Should it be my destiny
to complete the term of office to
which this nomination will lead, /
shall then have served the people
Of this district and of our beloved
state for twelve years without opposi-
ton in the ranks of the Democracy
Of the district.
To live in the confidence and cs
TEEN Of SO good people as ours, is
sweet indeed. 1t smooths the rough
edges Of a life Of labor and toll.
which is necessarily incident to the
position, and spurs one on to higher
aspiration and greater ACCOMPLISH
ment.
But gentlemen. am not SO vain
as to appropriate to myself all the
credit for your continued and out
spoken kindness to me, extending
over SO many years. Much Of this
unan:mity of sentiment and action is
due to :he splendid harmony and
unity existing among our people.
We, of the Third district are pariot-
ic, God-livipg people. Our unity
has been and is our strength. The
harmony existing among our peo-
pie bespeaks a desire to lend inf1u-
ence, by long continuous service. to
your representatives, factor OF
| such vast assistance to Congress-
man at Washington. Long service
means good committee assignment.
Long service on committee means
high position and high standing.
This harmony is doubly evidenced
here today. With one accord our
good friend and neighbor, Andre
Martin, stanch Democrat, exempla-
ry citizen, conscientious official, tried
in many positions of trust is unani-
mously selected to represent us on
the State Board Of Equalization. May
our people be ever as wise and
fortunate in the selection Of their
officials.
| Tne pleasure of the harmonious
action Of our people, acting through
your agency, becomes the more
pleasant to me because proclaimed
at the parish seat at Vermilion
parish. The people of Vermilion
parish have been devoted to me
and loyal to my political aspirations,
and nv fond hore and honest
striving is that may always con-
tinue loyal and true to her people.
The position of Louisiana repre-
sentative IN Congress is difficult
one, requiring good judgment. con-
seryatism, courage and activity
| In fact, his is a peculiar position.
Proper committee assignment at
Washington is of far greater value
han adeptness in the art OF oratorv.
Much more is accomplished by
work on committee, the assignment
to which depends upon long service.
than by participation in debates on
the floor of the House. In this
respect Louisiana is fortunate and
has exercised great good Judgment
in keeping her congressman SO long
IN harness. The reason that labor
counts tor more than oratOry is
appareut to those who are familiar
with legislation at Washington.
The great levee system OF this
state is preserving to our people a
heritage in lands. the richest in
the world, is only maintained at
considerable cost to and under oner-
GUS taxation imposed upon our
people. True, some assistance Is
received from the federal govern.
ment, but that assistance is com.
paratively small What we get has
been obtained By the good manage.
ment and the hard work Of Louis
,an's representatives in congress. ex'
tending over period OF time
The scope Of the good work should
be extended. The construction and
care Of our levee system should bt
the work of our federal government
It is a question of national import
Il should be provided for at thu
national expense, ana the people
Of our state should be relieved o
the levee tax. This question il
peculiar to louisiana.
The two great products Of thil
distsict and section-the adequat'
protection Of which h also peculial
l-An 1osaia2nna that r. amnne m