The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-09-12
THE STATE PRESS.

The SIAIE FNESSs
Claiborne Guardian journal: It is GER
tain that the problems of government are
now up to the people and they may secure
as good or as bad government as they de-
sire.
Mansfield Journal: The quibs of law
which favor the criminals and scoundrels
who escape on technicalities should be re-
vised on the basis of common sense and
justice, which is the very thing the guilty
do not favor.
Lake Charles American: Gov. Blanch-
ard is reported to be busily engaged in
running out of Baton Rouge all the asses
sors who drop in on the board of equaliza-
ton without invitation. The rule of 'shands
off" with the board is good one, but
should apply to all officials alike from gov
ernors down.
Lake Providence Banner Democrat: We
understand that there will be several more
plantations turned into rice farms next
year. The returns from the cultivation of
rice seems to be much better and surer
than cotton making. The grade of rice
made here is much finer than that raised
in the ''rice belt'' of Louisiana and it
brings better price.
Boyce Advertiser: The greatest evil of
all evils is that education and politics are
too badly mixed in Louisiana, and our
cranks demand Normal graduates as
teachers. We say give any person of good
moral standing teachers certificate if
they stand the examination. Brother Nc
if you want to get at something which
needs reform touch up the text book graft
and you have it all in nut shell.
Mansfield Journal: The boast that the
Governor has been stripped of nearly Of his
appointing power is not true. There are
at least dozen good paying offices
which are filled by appointment, some of
which carry salary of over $1,000. Most
of these Offices should be placed on the
elective roster and they are likely to be by
the next legislature. The existence of so
many appointive offices leaves more power
in tho hands of the chief executive than is
necessary for the good of the State.
Shreveport Times: Itoftenhappens that
shrewd attorney, by resorting to trickery,
appealing to the passions and prejudices
of a jury or invoking technical provisions
of the law, is enabled to defeat the ends of
justice in criminal cases. 1t also is true
that the criminal laws are so defective as
to afford loopholes for the escape of GRIM
inals from the penalties which are required
by justice. We often see these reasons
advanced as Qualifications for mob violence.
There is, however, another cause for mobs
and the things that mobs do. It is the
failure of the citizen to perform his plain
duty, unpleasant though that duty may
sometimes be. Too much stress has been
laid upon the faults of the lawyers and the
inefficiency Of the courts and the defects
in the laws in endeavoring to fix the blame
for the failures in the administration of our
criminal laws. Not enough attention is
paid to the duties of the individual citizen.
It has become habit with many of -four
hest citizens to avoid jury service. This
responsible duty then devolves upon men
who are either incompetent or careless and
when for one of these reasons justice mis-
carries in some important case "our best
citizens are shocked and Mortified. That
jury which deliberately turns murderer
lose on society in the face of solemn oath
to the contrary commits graver crime
than the one for which it refuses to meet
out justice.
The New York City Government expends