The Caucasian., 1907-03-28
CONGRESSMAN BROUSSARD
Will He Enter the List as Candidate for
Governor ?-Interest in Blanchard
Course

be a candidate tor the gOVernorSnlp. L
have been ont Of touch with State poll
tics for thirty days and am not in a po-
sition to tell what the situation is or
how matters might present themselves.
may have something to say in short
time. | have not met with my friends
and advisers, and will make no an
nouncement until have ad such meet
ing Congressman BrouSsard in inter
view Monday
Very few well posted politicians from
Southwest Louisiana believe that Mr..
Broussard will be candidate for
Governor, says the States. Most of
hem think at least that he will not be
consulting his personal interest if he de
fray which might put period to his
,ntire political career.
Here is what one of the political lead
ars of the sugar belt who was at the St,
Charles last week had to say:
Some of Bobs overly enthusiastic
friends, whose political acumen is de
batabe quantity are responsible for the
iteration and reteration of his name i'll
the political skirmishes. Some of his
pretended friends whose motives are not
entirely unselhsh have also had a hand
in it, | think i'll the end his own views
rs to the right thing to do will dovetail
with the opinions Of those who would
not like to see his whole political future
wrecked OF one throw of the dice
There has been a material change i'll
the situation, viewed from the stand
point of Mr. Broussard's personal inter
ast since the passage by Congress of the
bill raising the salary of congressman
from $1,000 to $500 year, That has
made the Office of representative a very
attractive one and one which will be
much more sought after i'll the future
han in the past. Broussard has at this
time an almost unassailable title to the
Third District seat The strongest po-
ltical combination that could he formed
in that district would not avail against
lis large and loyal personal following.
in the present condition of affairs, and
with age in his favor and political fu
ture SO promising it would border very
closely on recklessness, not to say folly,
for him now to stake certainty against
what at least might be termed an i'm
probability, for the coming gubernatoral
primary will be about as open PROPOSE
ton as was the Derby run last Saturday.
Profound interest centers in the
course that will be pursued by Governor
Blanchard. 1t is said that friends of
Congressman Broussard requested him
10 make some declaration in favor OF
the congressman, but this the Governor
refused to do. As matter of fact. if
the word of men who are close to the
Governor may be accepted as indication
of his preference, it would seem that
Governor Blanchard's choice of his sue
cessor will be Hon. I. S. Wilkinson OF
Plaquemnes.
The city leaders are taking very little
interest in the gubernatorial race thus
far. The fact of so much of the ap-
pointive power of the Governor having
oeen Topped off is responsible for this
lack of interest A subordinate parish |
official WHO has been bestirring himself
tmong the leaders has marveled at their |
His intimacy with Gov
ernor Blanchard and his anxiety to have |
he Wilkinson cause espoused by the |
ward leaders is chiefly what is respon |
'ible for the suspicion that the Gov
,rnor's preference is for Wilkinson
There are those who are of the firm be-
ief that the chances of any candidate
night be enhanced by the opposition of
Governor Blanchard. The Governor has
'een unfortunate i'll incurring the dis
pleasure of some of his best and strong
st friends during his tenure of office.
The opposition of all the members of
lis cabinet, with the single exception of
he State Auditor, is of record. 1t is
tated that recently even State Auditor
,apdevielle was forced to differ with
Jews advanced by the Governor in ref
renee to the State printing contract.
here is friction between the Governor
nd the Register of the State Land Of
ce. Strong differences have sprung IN
etween the Governor and his Adiutant
At the outset of his admins
ration Governor Blanchard had no
Ironger friends nor warmer supporters
nan Colonel A. w. Crandell and Gen
raj Dave Stafford. In the same way did
e enjoy the heartiest good will and
npport of Senator G. c. Cordill. Num-
rous instances might be cited from ev-
ry section of the State of men who
arted i'll as friends and supporters ci
he Governor, but who were constrained
} break with him because of the course
c pursued
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