Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1909-12-31
Cav. Sanders Statement Anent the
Proposed Amendment.

ceeding himself. Governor Sanders very
states his position on the matter
and says that he will advise his frlends
in the Legislature not to do anything IN
the way of bringing about repeal OF the
amendment. His statement is as follows:
"The Constitutional Convention OF 1898
was rendered necessary in order to settle
the then paramount question of the sui
frage. The Constitution was ordained
without being submitted to a popular
vote. Since 1898 numerous amendments
have been proposed by the Legislature
and passed upon by the people. Most OF
the amendments thus submitted have
been adopted; some have been rejected.
"When the Constitution of 1898 was
framed, owing to the doubt in the minds
of many as to the ultimate result OF the
suffrage clause embraced thereon, and
following generally the Constitution OF
1879, the appointive power was largely
lodged in the Governors hands; and Ar
ticle 200 of this same Constitution seemed
70 perpetuate the convention system by
establishing certain basis of representa-
ton in all nominating conventions.
"The suffrage qualifications having
stood the test of time, and the necessity
no longer existing for the concentration
of the appointive power in the hands OF
the Governor, numerous constitutional
amendments and legislative enactments
have been proposed and passed, almost
entirely eliminating the appointive power
of the Governor; and compulsory pri-
mary election law has superseded the
convention system as the method of par
ty nomination.
"Article 63 of the Constitution makes
the Governor ineligible to succeed him.
self in office. At the time OF its adoption
it was thought, by many, to be a wise
and salutary provision, for the reason
that the concentration of the appointive
power in the hands of the Governor and
the convention system combined made it
probable that the Governor might use
his position to renominate himself for a
second term.
1.-THE practical elimination of the APP
pointive power of the Governor, and the
substitution of compulsory primary for
the convention system of nomination has,
in the minds of many, eliminated any
reason for Article 63 being in the Consti.
tuition, and the reason no longer exist.
ing, it is argued that the restriction
should be removed.
81 was a member of the constitutions
convention, but did not vote for Article
63. was not present in the hall when
it was adopted. Had been present,
would have voted against it. believed
then, and believe now, that the people
are supreme. If the people desire to re
elect public official, they should be per
mitted to do so. l have always believed
in the primary method of making nomi
nations. To-day there is absolutely II,
reason why Article 63 should be part o
our Constitution, even admitting, for tn,
sake of argument, that there may hav'
been some reason under the condition
existing when it was adopted.
"Under the direct primary laws of on
State, the only hope that any public of
fetal may have of being reelected to tn,
office he holds, is to so conduct himsel
and the affairs of his office as to merit
denomination at the hands of the people
"Some months ago it was suggested
that the Legislature should submit to tin
people the question of whether or no
Article 63 should be repealed. The mat
ter attracted practically no discussion un
til recently, and then only as the result
of some attacks being made thereon.
"Since the attack began the matte
has received attention, and / am in re
ceipt of numerous communications, iron
all parts of the State, bearing on thi
question. The trend of public sentiment
as see it, Is in favor of the repeal o
Article So.
1.-The assaults directed against thi
lquestion have been INDUCED in on tin
Theory that the administration was il
favor of the adoption of the amendment
and l have been recently urged by nu
merous friends to declare in favor there
Of, and, when adopted by the people, t.
become candidate for Governor.
"The administration has never beer
behind this movement nor have eve
declared in its favor, or against it; OF
the contrary have repeatedly declared
that did not personally care to be Gov
ernor again.
within the past few days land OWN,
to the urgent request of many friends)
have given this matter careful considera
ton and have come to the deliberate con.
clusion that the amendment would easil,
carry, both before the Legislature anG
before the people, and, in that event,
that | would stand as good a chance a.
any other Democrat of receiving my par
tvs nomination for Governor, should
become candidate again for that high
office.
after mature thought, / have like
| wise come to the conclusion that the pro-
posal of this amendment in the Legisla-