The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-10-06
AN ADDRESS


Hour representatives n The next Legisla-
t,ure Many important questions III
viewing HE future welfare Of our State
viii doubtless come up for consideration
during the next session of The General
ASSEMBLY and sincerely trust | am sui
Efficiently informed and actualed by such
patriotic motives a. may enable me 10
represent YOU cr,ditaby, honorably, and
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 not the
candidate Of any faction whatever, nor
will | represent any special class, but
propose to deal fairly, Justly and con-
scientior>ly with all questions that may
come up for consideration. would not
exchange my political freedom Tor all
the Offices i'll the State, but at the same
time | concede 10 ali others the same
political privileges TO which they are en-
titled, 50 that | am prepared to serve all
the people to the best Of my ability, and
10 them alone | appeal for support.
In submitting my candidacy, 1t is but
right that some expression should lie
given to the views entertained by me Oh
public questions as well as the principles
for which shall stand in the General
Assembly in case YOU shall honor ne
As Your representative.
First am a 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 NY guiding star in al
matters Of government.
Second-I 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 enormous
State debt. saving thereby nearly half
million dollars annually i'll interest that
can be devoted to Our public schools and
other beneficial objects. | would sup
port legislation having this object III
view as we'll as the funding OF our pres
ent bonded Indebtedness at a lower rate
Of interest than We are paying at the
present. making an additional saving OF
over one hundred thousand dollars per
lnnum.
| Third-Legislation sould be enacted
to require the State Board OF Li4uida=
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 agents
should be increased SO that all Of the
State 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 a prerequisite for voting
to remain as at present. 1t has been
tried and proven satisfactory to the peo-
lple and constantly changing Legislation
in regard to suffrage requirements is not
desirable We want such legislation as
will secure a free ballot and fair count
and sinplfied so that the ordinary citi-
zen can vote intelligently on 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
10, . tT11
primaries and make nominations. MOI
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 4 political contest
! they are much inclined 20 do so.
Fifth | most heartily favor ampliiy
ing and charging the powers Of our
Railroad Commission as may be recon-
mended by them i'll 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
railroads and the people, They have full
author ltN 10 loNCI lllS idtNH. Iii''7t
earnestly favor legislation ab0lishing
what is commonly known as the railroad
lobby or Third House. They participate
in all kinds Of legislation in order 10
| "log roll" for some pet railroad measure
or against some good legislation alnph-
| tying the powers of Our Railroad Com
mission. | believe they more injurious
| ~ effect legislation than any other cause
in existence today. They should be put
out Of BUSINESS or else the railroads will
eventually control all legislation.
Sixtl1-Some Legislation is needed in
establishing an equitable fee bill for our
sheriffs and clerks There are many in
CAPABILITIES at present. 1t Is said the Sec
rotary OF State receives an enormous sal
airy in fees II this be 50, and doubtless
it i, then he should be paid fair sal
&ry, clerical force provided and all fee
mid ;n+, the State + r.a-11rz-