The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1907-10-01

Office beyond the dollars and cents
they can get out Of'the Office for them
selves. He should be capable of max
ing distinction between the .dema-
gogue or designing politician and the
high minded and public-spirited citi-
zen who is willing to fill Office not
simply for the salary of the Office.
but that he may be able to exert Il
wider influence in the uphuilding
of the schools and in the improvement
of the roads. and toward inaugurat-
ing and accomplishing other good
works in the interest of the general
public, and particularly the farming
class.
1t is serious mistake to elect to
Office any other kind of men thar those
who from what is known of their past
life in the community may be depend
ed upon to take lively interest in
making our parish go forward in the
march of progress. No man Is . dutl-
ful public officer who is not willing to
lead the people in all good movements
because he is afraid to lose IA few
votes by doing SO. Such an officer is
unworthy of the respect and conf
dence of the public, and the sooner he
is retired to private life the better it
will be for the people whose progress
he may be Obstructing by using the
power of his Office for selfish ends in
stead of exerting his Influence for the
greatest good to the greatest number,
in true democratic spirit.
1t is advisable. therefore, and neces-
sary that the farmer should take an
Mt
which is only another name for public
affairs. l am not advising you, my
friends. to launch into politics as an
organization, becasue such course
as that would result in disruption of
your splendid organization on ac.
count of differences of political opin-
ion among yourselves. | am APP
pealing to you now as individual citi-
zens who have direct personal inter-
est in good government for the reason
that good government is of benefit to
everybody, and will greatly assist you
in CARRYING out the aims of your or
ganiZatiOn and cause it to grow strong.
er and more useful to you AS class
than what would be possible under
less favoring conditions.
In the matter of financial aid for the
public schools for example. so much
depends Upon the kind of men we elect
on the Police Jury as to how much
money may be appropriated for rum
ming the schools. A police jury who
have not a proper appreciation of the
value of education to the children in
the parish, will oppose giving sutfi-
cient monoy from the public treasury
for the proper maintainance OF the
schools, and then after the money is
turned over to the School Board by
the Police Jury, it is liable to be spent
in ways that may not bring the most
satisfactory results to the children, ii
the School Board be not composed OF
men of good judgment and progress
sive spirit, SO you see why it is ne
cessary for you to select the right
kind of men for school directors, also.
The Police Jury and the School
Board are two very important public
bodies in our parish government, in
as much as they deal with questions
which are OF vital interest to every
man and his family in the parish.
Only good men and true men, and
men of progressive ideas, ought to be
entrusted with the administration of
our public affairs, and the people who
pay the taxes have a right to know for
what principles and policies the men
stand who aspire to public office.
whether it be police juror. school di-
rector, sheriff, clerk of court, Judge,
governor, or president of the United
States.
Happily, under the primary election
law the way is open to every citizen
to have d voice in the selection OF
public officers. This is great privilege
and a great responsibility also, and
we should all try to use this valuable
right of liberty OF action in such a
way as will be certain to build up the
moral and intellectual forces and the
material resources of our parish anG
of our country.
l wish to say in conclusion, ladie:
and gentlemen. that | am not candi
date for any Office, but / am strOns
education along broad lines, to make
q people strong and fOrceful in mind
in heart, in body, and able to do theil
full part in the work as men ant
} women worthy of the name. And Sc
it is that l stand for good schools IL
cities and country, but more especi
ally for graded and high schools il
rural districts. And | stand read,
now, as in the past to devote my bes
J energies toward enabling everybod,
in Lafayette parish to attain sount
! education, that they may be prepared
to live strong, useful and Independent
lives; and in this way I believe car
contribute better than in any othe
way as an individual, towards tn
, improvement and advancement of tn
; conditions surrounding farm life il