The Caucasian., 1910-07-31
10 THE VOTERS OF TIE CITY OF SHREVEPORT

az wears ago under exceptional condi-
/ tons; displacing beaurecratic gov
ernment foisted on Our people by the
Warmoth administration in 1871. Fac
ing an empty treasury with revenues
anticipated for over three years by out
standing pay roll scrip. Everything was
under seizure that was seizable for
,dgments, even the meagre fire appar-
atuS.
The total municipal outstandA obli-t
cations of all forms, aggregated more
than half the amount shown on the face
of the assessment rolls, which at that
time was less than one eighth of our
present swelling figures. But it was
all initiative without any referendum or
power to recall They were hedged in
by that divinity, Henry Clay Warmoth.
and his i1k, until routed out by the up
rising that placed Francis T. Nichols al
the helm.
The principal credit, however, is due
to the wisdom and guidance Of such as
sociates in the Council as the Hon. John
Gordon McWilliams, Hon. Simon Levy.
founders of the Commercial National
Bank; Hon. w. H. Wise, who as
member of the Nichols Legislature
nominated the first members, afterwards
filling a term; Hon. Capt. James F. Utz.
Hon. w. F. Buckelew, Hon. Fayette Al
cock, Hon. Chris Houser, Hon Robert
H. Howell, Hon. Henry FlorSheim,
Hon Ed Herndon, Hon. r N. Nickel
lar, Hon William Winter and others
filling vacancies from time to time all
of high character and ability. Being
ably advised by such attorneys as Hon.
T. Alexander, Hon. A. D. Land, now on
the Supreme Bench; Hon. Judge w. E.
Seay, distinguished lawyer, orator and
journalist and Hon. E. H. Randolph. all
brilliant members of our local bar, who
as guides, philosophers and friends with
whom it was very great and enlight-
ening pleasure to be an understudy and
using their compass to steer the muni-
cipal bark away from the shoals and
quicksands that were violently besetting
it.
Local history tells more I served
IL years continuously with two to spare
which | relinquished believing Shreveport
at last rested on a solid foundation and
that my private business which had suf-
fered, needed all my time and attention.
The liquidation of the city's obligations
lacked but little for completion.
Inviting a renewal of the honor at
this time under present conditions, is
pleasurable and bears a
5uperlative contrast to the conditions
ust alluded to ,and if selected will try
% follow in the footteps of the many
worthy and honorable encumbents who
nave served the city with such distin-
yuished credit and ability since then.
They helped to erect a splendid Auper-
structure that can be carried on Without
les1tancy. There is nothing that can be
:lassed or denominated as reform in
he proposed change. Nothing but the
necessity for giving the voters
ne mastery over their servants in man
lgement of affairs and giving them a
dominant voice at the polls as embodied
n the act which we are given the privi-
ege of accepting or rejecting
It accepted we will step on the first
ound of the ladder that ascends to the
highest ideals and aspirations that so
many are nobly devising for muni-
ipal government Success may har-
nonize and obliterate many discordant
otes now injecting the municipal air,
ecause the people will come into con
roll
50 am candidate solely and sing1y
nder the auspices of the Commission
orm OF government, without any alter
at1ve, only for square trial of the
litlative, referendum and recall.
Very truly and respectfully,
A. CURRIE.