The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-09-14
The Candidates at PIattenyiIle.

1
at Plattenyille, Assumption parish,
on the 7th instant, at which all the
three candidates for governor and a
number of aspirants for other state
offices were billed to speak, proved a
decided disappointment to all con-
cerned, both in point of the number OF
people present and the lack of en-
thusiasm they manifested. It had
been expected that such a formidable
: array of distinguished otficeseekers
and orators would draw several thou
sand of the Democrat yeomanry of
our neighboring parish, but even the
published reports ia newspapers th at
are never Over-modest in their state
ments OF the size of Democratic gather
ings admitted that 500 would be a
very liberal estimate of the crowd of
men. women and children that was
brought together by the double at
traction OF political gabfest and a
school fair.
Hon. John Marks acted as chair
man of the meeting. and even his in
PRODUCTION of the speakers partook of
the general spirit of depression that
was SO manifest on every hand. In
stead of the confident Volubility and
humor which usually characterize his
public utterances. there was degree
OF brevity and lack OF fire that made
the predatory remarks appear exceed
ingly tams, and his laudation OF
the several gubern atorial candid ates
amounted to a little more than verbal
certificates of good character and the
assurance that they were not nearly
such bad fellows as they have been
painted.
Gen. Jastremski made what seemed
from all published accounts to have
been the best speech of the occasion.
He referred to his service in the Con-
federate army, OF course, and threw
bouquets at his army friend and COM
rade, Gen. Francis T. Nichols, which
was fit and proper thing to do any,
where, but particularly so in Assump-
tion, where the gallant Nichols spent
many years OF his life and is revered
and loved by the whole population.
Gen. Jastremski reviewed his cam
paign of four years ago, and justly
claimed much Of the credit for bring
ing about the overthrow of the system
OF government by gubernatorial ap-
pointment in lieu OF popular selection.
He reiterated the declaration that
nothing would induce him to withdraw
from the present contest, and set forth
the reforms he will endeavor to bring
about if he is elected governor, prom
inent among which is the reduction of
railway passenger fares to two cents
a mile.
Hon. Theodore Wilkinson made a
plain, straightforward speech, devoid
of person alities, presenting his views
as to the prominent issues of the cam
paign in earnest and convincing terms.
He said taxes, big salaries and fat
fees should be reduced; that the state
should get the highest rate of interest
available for her surplus funds in the
hands of her fiscal agents; he recalled
his support Of Jastremski and Banks.
dale in the last campaign, and
pledged himself, if elected, to fill the
Office of governor with honor and dig
nifty that would bring naught but
credit upon the people of Louisiana.
Lieut.. Gov. j. Y. Sanders was the
last of the gubernatorial aspirants to
talk, and he displayed as much of his
eloquenee and ability as stump
speaker as could have been looked
for under the dampening influence of
a small and rather listless crowd of
hearers. Mr.. Sanders praised both
his opponents and admitted his belief
that either would make a good gov
ernor, but he said he knew he would
make a good one and therefore he
asked the people to vote for him in
preference TO his competitors. He
went over the principal parts of his |
published platform and cited the many |
Democrats of prominence, and I'M
questioned integrity with whom he |
had served and worked and voted in |
he past, closing with an invitation to /
Ill the people to come to Baton Rouge
and see him after he is inaugur ated
governor.
Chairman Marks apologized for the
absence of Hon. James J. Bailey, one
If the candidates for lieuten ant gov
,rnor, who was kept away by an en-
to get married. Senator p.
d. Lambremont of St. James pre-
ented his candidacy for lieutenant
,overnorin an eloquent French speech.
Ion. S. Med. Lawrason of West
'eliciana did likewise in English, and
'rief addresses were made by Col. R.
7. Pleasant of Shreveport, candidate
or attorney general, and by State
AUDITOR j. M. Smith, who is now a
andidate for state treasurer. Hon.
Y alter Guion, of Assumption, who is
candidate for reelection as attor-
ely general. generously declined to
AXE up the time OF the other speakers
4 his home parish, and closed the
leeting with a few well-chosen and