New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1910-07-23


thing wrong with the signs of the
Zodiac, for the Times Democrat
has been on mad jambaree for
the past two days in succession.
With utter disregarded for law
and facts it has assaulted two of
the coordinate branches of the
government with a bitter mean
ness that is unjustifiable, unwar-
ranted and inexcuSable.
1t has distorted facts. ignored
the Constitution and refused to
read the plain mandates Of the
State law.
On Sunday morning it started
off with a SANDER upon the Legis
lature and the people of this city
when it said:
And the same spirit of jubila-
ton still prevails in Baton Rouge
as broke loose in that town on the
night of McEnery's death. over
the fact that the organization
had another big office to give
away"
There is but one trouble with
this statement-it is false; other
wise it is all right.
Further on it says:
Upon our statue books stands
q law which requires that every
senator shall be chosen by a pri
marv.!'
Here again is an absolutely
false and untrue statement.
The Constitution of the United
States prescribes ALTERNATELY how
senators are to be elected. and
how and when vacancies shall be
filled.
A primary could only have the
effect OF recommending a candi-
date to the Legislature, and no
State law directs or provides for
the election of a senator by pri-
mary.
The Constitution and the law
requires the Legislature, when in
session, or if not in session, at the
first session after the vacancy oc-
ours, to ill such vacancy.
1t was the sworn duty of the
present Legislature to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of
Senator McEnery if it could agree
upon Senator.
If it could not agree, this
State would have been without
its full senatorial representation
In the Senate until 1912, unless
an extra session of this same Leg
islature had been called.
Be Unknown and remembered
that Mississippi is an original pri-
mary election State. 1t was
among the very first to establish
and maintain that wise and prop
er system, but what did she do
when her Senator died suddenly
as ours did.
The Legislature was in session
when the sad news of the death
OF the great McLaurin came. Not
one word was said about a pri-
mary. Not one paper even pro-
posed to pospone that election
until a primary could be held.
Even the Times Democrat was
silent of suggestion in the prem
ises, and on they went, balloting,
until Senator Percy was named.
1t was only his initiative that
primary was proposed after the
scandals had been circulated.
There was never a word of pro-
test from the press and public.
Because fate and his indomit-
able spirit and proven qualifica-
tons had pointed out Jared Y.
Sanders, and because we dared
point out that there was unani-
nifty of sentiment, with ut pledge,
conference or controversy, thai
made him senator, the Times-Dem-
ocrat has rallied and snorted,
heaped calumny and abuse upon
the heads Of the Legislature and
the Governor.
Of course, when we point out
the Constitution, the law and the
precedent to show the fallacy
and impossibility of the Times
Democrats position, with super
cilious disdain it will ignore this
answer and absolute refutation
Of its absurd and lawless position.
There are other wild, unjust
and absurd charges in the two
TRADES Of that journal to which
we may later give attention, but
we defy it to answer the law and
logic presented above.-New Ad-
vOcate.