The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-03-18
CONGRESSMAN
BROUSSARD
HIS POSITION EXPLAINED FROM
CAPITAL OF THE NATION
1T Will HELP LOUISIANA
Is the Claim That Has Been Put For
ward in justification of His Vote
Of Cannon for Speaker

In a Washington special to the ,neS-
Democrat dated March 10 ii is stated
that as more than half expected Robert
f. Broussard. representative from the
Third Louisiana District. was today ap-
pointed member Of the House COM
mittee on ways and means. His appoint
ment is without the approval of Champ
Clark. the Democrat leader. This.
however. is of no particular significance
from the point of view Of the man who
is seeking to discover how things are
going to be done during this extraordi-
nary session of Congress.
The Louisiana member will have Just
as much influence on the committee.
will be just as much factor in the tar
if fight as if his appointment had abe
hearticst approval Of the Misourian.
There is no question but that the ap
pontment will be of great benefit to the
particular interests of Louisiana. While
it may be possible that the sugar and
rice duties would have been satisfactory
without the appointment of MIR. Rrous-
sard. the fact that he is to be member
Of the committee will serve o make as
surance doubly Sure
1t appears that Champ Clark. leading
the Democrats opposing the continuance
of Cannon as Speaker. had ignored the
fact that Broussard had been working,
ever since Louisiana lost representation
on the ways and means committee, to
get some one on it whose chief duty it
should be to represent the interests of
the sugar and rice growerh of the Mis-
sissippi delta There has been no mys
terry about the fact that he considered
himself we'll qualified to perform that
duty The greatest stumbling block has
been the fact that the two vacancies to
be filled were created by the Outgoing of
two Northern men
Broussard figured that Clark and the
Republican insurgents would give no
consideration to Louisiana interests.
Clark heretofore has always been op-
posed to duty on sugar. He refused
any help to the sugar interests every
time it was possible. There could be
no help from that quarter. There could
be from the Republicans and Democrats
who disagree with Clark and the insur-
gent Republicans.
Louisiana members have always re-
served the right to act independently on
matters pertaining to sugar. Twelve
years ago Representative Pierce of Ten
nessee offered resolution in a Demo-
cratic caucus inviting Broussard and
Robertson to leave it because they
would not agree to stand for free sugar
The resolution was not pressed, Brous-
sard making an impassioned and fierce
address on the duty Of congressman
to take whatever steps he deemed neces-
sary for the interest of the greatest
number of his constituents The caucus
refused to draw the line then.
WOULD CRUCIFY TWENTY
THREE"
But the Democratic leadership is de-
termined to cruelty the twenty-three
Democrats who voted with the Repub-
lican leaders instead of with the Demo-
cratic leaders and their Republican al
lies. They called caucus Immediately
after the announcement this afternoon
for the avowed purpose of tagging the
twenty three. The fact that none of the
Republicans leaders proposed to thus
close the door to the insurgtnt Republi-
cans did not impress Clark and his ad-
visers. The leader gave out an inter
view breathing condemnation on the
twenty-three. condemning the commit
tee appointments. his own incldded. and
| by Inference saying no one could be a
Democrat except such as followed him
in all things.
Messrs. Broussard and Estopinal re-
ceived many kilograms today. some sour
and some sweet. A sugary one came
from George NJ Robertson, member oi
the Democratic Congressional Commit
tee in the Third District He prizes it,
Robertson wired: Congratulations Yor
did right thing Third District will re.
member you
The two Louisiana members are not
doing a great deal Of talking. but they
have no doubt about the correctness o
their position. namely: That tlty served
their constituents best.
IF one desires to play in the politica
game" said Broussard, the more prac