The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-10-03
AN ADDRESS
o the Democratic Voters Of Caddo
Parish. Louisiana

|
four representatives in the next Lcgisla-
ture. Many important questions in
volvlng the future welfare of our State
Will doubtless come up for consideration
during the next session of the General
Assembly and | sincerely trust | am suf-
hC'ently Informed and actuated by such
patriotic motives as may enable me to
| represent you creditably, honorably. and
i with such degree of ability as this
splendid parish is entitled to have in our
Legislative halls. In this campaign per
nit me to say at the outset. am mol the
candidate of any faction whatever. noi
will | represent any special class. but
propose TO deal fairly. Justly and con
scientiously with all questions that may
come up for consideration. would not
the Offices in the State. but at the same
time ] concede to all others the same
political privileges TO which they are en-
Titled. so that | am prepared to serve all
the people to the best of my ability. and
to them alone appeal for support.
in submitting my candidacy. it is but
right that some expression should be
given to the views entertained by me on
public questions as well as the principles
for which ! shall stand in the General
Assembly in case you shall honor me
as your representative.
First am Democrat and believe
that the principles of that party when
rightly applied will solve all the ills Of
our body polite. Its GROWING doctrine
Of Equal rights to all, special privileges
to none shall be my guiding star in all
matters of government.
Second shall favor a financial pol
icy looking to the utilization of the sink
ing fund as at present authorized for
the speedy retirement of our enormou,
State debt saving thereby nearly half
million dollars annually III interest that
can be devoted to our public schools and
other beneficial objects. ! would sup
port legislation having this object in
view as well as the funding of our pres
ent bonded indebtedness at lower rate
of interest than we are paying at the
present, making an additional saving of
over one hundred thousand dollars per
annun
Third--Legislation sould he enacted
to require the State Board of Liquida-
ton to obtain the highest rate of inter
est obtainable on the State deposit prop
erly secured by State or other solvent
bonds subject to the approval of the
board The number of fiscal agent
should be increased so that all of the
States funds would not be kept on de
post in New Orleans alone. but each
Congressional District should have a
share of this deposit
FOURTH favor allowing the poll tax
requirement as prerequisite for voting
to remain as at present. 1t has been
tried and proven satisfactory to the peo-
pie and constantly changing legislation
i'll regard to suffrage requirements is not
desirable We want such legislation as
will secure free ballot and fair count
and simplified so that the ordinary citi-
zen can vote intelligently OH all questions
submitted. am rather inclined to the
idea that each voter should register his
political alignment as they do in New
York In this way only known regis
tered Democrats can participate in oul
primaries and make nominations mol
good Democrat is ashamed of his party
nor does he want Republicans and Other
party men participating in our primaries,
and yet in the heat of political contes,
they are much inclined to do so.
Fifth most heartily favor amplify
ing and enlarging the powers of our
Railroad Commission as may be recon-
mended by them in their wisdom. The |
question of lower passenger rates is one
entirely for the Railroad Commission to
thoroughly investigate and deal out
equal and exact justice between the
-ailroads and the people They have full
authority to lower the rates. | most
favor legislation abolishing
what is commonly known as the railroad
obby or Third House. They participate
n all kinds of legislation in order to
log rolf for some pet railroad measure
,r against some good legislation ampli
ying the powers of our Railroad Com
mission | believe they more injurious
y effect legislation than any other cause
II existence today. They should be put
nut of BUSINESS or else the railroads will
ventually control all legislation L
Sixth-Some legislation is needed in
establishing an equitable fee bill for our
heriffs and clerks. There are many in
qualities at present. 1t is said the Sec
etary of State receives an enormous sal
ry in fees. If this be so. and doubtless
is. then he should be paid fair sal