The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-11-28
MACHINE PLANS LAID.

"The recent editorials in the Times
Democrat on the proposed repeal OF the
constitutional provision which provides
that the Governor of this State shall
not succeed himself are most timely in
deed, and thousands of good citizens
are rejoiced at the splendid calls to our
people to save their Constitution their
State and themselves from the terrible
evils Of an olfice-holding dynasty, or,
as the Times Democrat so aptly phrases
it, from perpetual governor.
aYou have not sounded the alarm
any too soon, for the battle lines OF
the enemy are already formed, and the
promoters of the scheme are so strong
lily entrenehed behind the breastworks
of political patronage, sinecrres, soft
snaps, etc, that It would be difficult IN
deed to assault them successfully had
the attack been mitch longer delayed.
In fact the State machine claims to
have ample votes in the lower House
Iof the Legislature at the present mo-
Iment to pass the resolution when 1t IS
presented Its leaders assert with equal
emphasis that they lack but one vote
of having the two-thirds necessary in
the Senate, and claim that they will get
that one vote in the election of the sue
eessor of Senator Marston, who recent
Ily resigned. As this is an off year, and
the people will take but little interest
in that election, in all probability the
machine will find il very easy matter
to elect its man in that district.
"The State machines bases its claim
of the control of the Legislature, as one
of its supporters puts it, on the follow
ing Why just look at the members of
1.-THE House who are holding State and
lefty jobs. Don't you suppose these fell
lows know where their jobs come
froms Do you suppose they are going
to vote themselves out of good thing !
I tell you they will vote with the State
machine when the time comes for the
Legislature to submit that amendment
to the people. Every one of them who
holds job will vote to submit. He
won't dare. to do otherwise Besides
there are many members of the Senate
in the same boat, who hold good jobs
themselves, or who have relatives or in
fluential friends holding good jobs TN
{ der the State machine, and they viii
dance to the music too, as you will SCI
when the time comes
TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO ACT
: GThat is the view of a practical poll
tician, and it shows as nothing else cal
show, the power Of patronage, and
J, shows also the absolute necessity, no
i only of the defeat of the proposed
amendment, but the necessity also TO
d still further reduction of the Gov
II ernor's patronage. And now that thi
= fight is on, wish to suggest that Their
e is no good reason why the peopl
should not make use of this occasion t
have restored to them at the next SEES
: sion of the Legislature, all of thei
: rights that still remain in the hands c
n the Governor In other words, there
D no reason why the people should nc
a. make%his an offensive instead of de
e. fensive fight with the State machine.
e Suppose you look into the statemei
8 of the practical politician | just spol
= of and find out just how many men
: bers Of the Legislature do hold polit
d cal places given them by the machine
In fact, il you will look into the who
situation, | am confident that you wi
find all of the influences behind th
+ insidious assault on the Constitute
2 have their inspiration and origin Wi
& the place holders, and that they are !
= sole and only advocates. No one hi
s eyer offered TO defend the siiggestic
St since it was made at the banquet Civ
IS BY the office-hoiders to the ofice-hol
ers and for the office-holders.
r. There was no necessity for ii
rs amendment none has been or can
~ suggested; nor has any one been foui
. ~ who is foolish enough to attempt
= give single reason why such
- amendment should be passed. Howev'
i. the machine cares but little for t
II necessity or reason for any measure
of desires It will willingly assume t
BIT responsibility for the results if it c
only get its measure through the LIE
% islature. It has learned long ago II
$, nothing succeeds like success, and ii
= once thing has been done the peoi
soon forget It. and the voters forgiy