New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1910-05-07
HON. P. R. BURKE RECORD
DEFENDED.

We reproduce the subloincd
communication from the Opehousas
Courier in answer to an article
published some time since attack
ing the records Of Hon. =. r.
Burke of this City whilst mem
Der of the General Assembly rel
alive to his vote on the pension
for Confederate Veterans:
Opclousas April. 90. 1910.
Mr.. Editor-ln n communica-
ton signed ."Confed appearing
in your last issue, my article of
the previous week has furnished
text to attack Mr.. Portcus X.
Burke. Of New iberia.
This attack is prcdicatcd upon
a hostility which the writer claims
Mr.. Burke demonstrated against
the old Confederate veterans when
serving as IA legislator from the
Parish of Iberia. do not wish
to believe that "Confcd' would
willingly do any one an injustice,
and if he will investigate the facts
with reference to Mr.. Burkcs
vote on a proposed Constitutional
amendment 10 increase the pen
sions Of the Confederate Veterans
which was before the General As
sembly in 1900. he will find that
Mr. Burke s vote was not inspired
by any hostility to the Confederate
veterans but through strong
conviction rs to his duty as leg
islator.
"Mr. Burke explained his posi-
ton at the time and | take from
the Journal Of the House (June,
1900) these extracts from his
speech which vindicate him Of the
charge levelcd against him by
"Confcd. ~:
81 do not think there is mem
ber upon this floor, an officer cog
infant with the financial condition
of the Slate who will deny that
this amendment goes beyond the
ability of the State to meet this
additional demand. If this Gene
raj Assembly wishes to increase
the pensions to the Confed vete-
rams and bring substantial relief
TO them without at the same time
imperelling the credit of the State
and operations Of the government
in its important departments,
none will more cheerfully and 10y
ally support such a measure than
myself. do not believe that this
measure as il stands will bring
sure and safe relief, but by pro-
ducing deficit will bring about
confusion and disturbance in our
financial status even to the extent
Of compelling the State to abandon
the present cash system now in
operation in all its departments
and institutions. But genuine
and substantial relief can be given
by submitting an amandmnt to
the Constitution increasing tho
pension as proposed in this bill
and at, the same time and in the
same amendment authorize an in
crease in The rate Of taxation from
six to six and half mills and
dedicate the increase OF onc-half
Of a mill TO the sacred cause OF
pensions. BY this amendment
you provide means to meet this
increased demand upon the gov
eminent without in any manner
menacing its financial integrity.
81 trust that the bill will be
amended in the Senate along such
lines as these and / villa then give
il my cheerful and earnest support.
"Mr. Speaker. ! want to do my
full duty TO my State and my
people, and God knows that the
old Confederate veterans have a
strong claim upon me. My faith
err wore the grey and fought un-
der the flag Of the young Confed.
eracy.
"All Of the associations of that
great and grand struggle are holy
and sacred to me. No cause APP
pcals stronger to my love and
sympathy than that of the old
soldier who footsore
and worn travels down the hill
side Of life alone and in need; all
that l can do for him under my
oath of Office. and my sense Of
duty to this commonwealth l shall
chcerfully and gladly do and
trust that this measure may be so
perfected in the Senate that sub
stantial relief win be given to our
old and needy soldiers who were
the grey more than quarter Of
century ago"
I, was a matter of common no.
toriety at the time that a number
of other legislators and high State
officials agreed with Mr.. Burkes
views. II was also a matter OF
common notoriety that some men,
bers Of the House voted in favor
Of the amendment because they
felt assured that the senate would
kill il.
But Mr.. Burke's course was
honest and courageous, and he
stuck to his gnns, q the OH on.
federate veterans who were on the
firing line did on so many memoir
able occasions Instead Of provo-
king the hostility Of the veterans
because Of his vote on tina! occa-
sion, believe that Mr.. Burke has
earned their respect and admira-
tion.
I do not hold III. Bnfkes con-
sent to advocate his candidacy.
but I an persuaded that i only