The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-06-13
JUDGE BOARMAN lis NOT Who'll
LY UNDERSTOOD"


It has been announced in public print
that Judge Boarman ." is not wholly .un
derstood'' in his meddling and inter
ference with the construction sof the
new postoffice building in Shreveport.
In what sense is Judge Boarman ''not
wholly understood
Indeed he is well and wholly under
stood by the citizens of Shreveport who
stand for progressive development.
It has been declared that Judge
Boarman IS intention is not TO deprive
Shreveport of a handsome new Federal
building in fact, this is far from his
purpose, and "that when his motives
are properly placed before the people
the plan which he has in view will meet
with favor.
- Judge Boarman s. plan In nutshell
lis not to tear down the present hand
some structure, but to purchase another
site in some easily accessible locality
and there rear new postGffice build
ing. The building at Marshall and
Texas streets he would have altered and
used exclusively for court purposes, and
to house the other Government officials.
This plan would give Shreveport two
Government buildings instead Of one,
and if it is adopted by the Treasury
Department, he believes there will be
no cause for complaint. "
This is a rosy and fantastic view of
the situation, but it is Inpraetscable.
If for instance the Government were
an Individual, it would he possible to
reach deal, such as is sconsummated
daily by individuals, an buying or in
exchanging property; but this privilege
of the Individual cannot be .practiced
by the government without the specific
authority of Congress
Think 1of two buildings for sShreve-
port instead of ones
This is "a great scheme and the only
wonder is that Judge Boarman has kept
it concealed from the dear, good people
until now, when $5O, oDo of the 100000
appropriation by Congress for a new
postoffice building at Shreveport, is
available.
Why did not Judge Boarnaan, at the
time Congress was considering the ap-
psopriafion ,af 500, oan for sshe new
postoffice, air his plans and lend his
influence then to its success as he is
now directing his efforts to the snullif l
cationa
The people have been graEaly in
formed 1hat q. Judge Boarman IS snten
tion IS not to deprive Shreveport OF a
handsome new Federal building, etc
To say the least, this IL investing
Judge Boarman with a power Of which
he is net possessed, and to eoncede to
him this influence, authority or power
would be equivalent to an aaknowledg
ment that he could exercise greater
control IN and over the affairs OF
than all its citizens, indi- /
vidually and collectively.
It will not be disputed that Judge
Boarman may have the ears of some |
Of the influential men in Washington,
but fortunately this is limited, although
be may for the present check and retard |
she construction of the new postoffiee,
i he be permitted TO have full sway
In the discussion of the new postof-
ice and Judge Boarman S attitude,
here has been developed some of the
motives of opposition which have been
net and overwhelmed. Nor is Judge
Boarman's opposition strengthened in
us plan for two buildings instead Of
me.
In the first place, the, Act of Con
yress, appropriating 100000 for the
lew postoffice building in Shreveport,
. specific, and not a dollar of it could
,e diverted to any purpose, whatsoever,
lot related in the bill.
Secondly, the Secretary of the Treas.
lry-is not vested with authority by this
Act of Congress TO purchase or have
a lot on which building
hall be constructed. No Intelligent
,itizen should be naisled.
To carry into effect the plans Of
Judge Boarman for two buildings would
'equire new Act by Congress and this
would entail q delay Of several years
{ ii failed to meet with defeat.
In the plan Of Judge Boarman as
'lueidated in public print, lot similar I
n size to the lot of the Federal build
ng would cost from $4,000 to $780,
100 instead Of $4,000 OF $4,000, and
his would exhaust half Of the appro-
,riation. +.
In all fairness every objection raised
y Judge Boarman has been met intel
igently, and it now remains to be seen
whether Judge Boarman shall dominate
'ver the citizens Of Shreveport.
Indeed Judge Boarnan is well and |
wholly understood. It would seem that