Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-07-01
PnbIic Record of Hon. }. E. Ransdell, M. 6.

Grafton between him and Representative
Humphreys of Mississippi, 100000
additional for the Mississippi is carried.
making total for the next fiscal year
of $1,000, 900 for that river south Of
Cairo-the greatest amount ever provid-
ed for it in one year.
All other waterway projects in Louis
lana have been carefully watched and
large appropriations made for the Inter-
costal waterway from the Mississippi to
the Rio Grande; for a ship channel at
Morgan City; for the 35-foot channel at
the mouth of the Mississippi; and reason
able amounts for the Red, Teche, and
other State water-courses.
In the summer of 1905 Mr.. Ransdell
suggested the reorganization of the Ma
tional Rivers and Harbors Congress.
which became effective at a convention
i'll Washington, ID. c., in January, 1906.
He was elected the Chairman of its FIX.
ecutive Committee, and was unanimous
ly elected President of the association I'm
December, 1906, to which position he has
been reelected every year since without
opposition. This congress has become
tremendous force in molding public opin-
ion in favor of liberal, comprehensive
policy towards the nations waterways.
Mr.. Ransdell has visited every section of
the Union preaching the gospel of i'm
proved waterways as the best means of
cheapening freight ahd regulating rail
rates; and he has many friends among
the leading men of the Republic. 1t is
generally considered that the pending
Rivers and Harbors Bill, which has
passed both houses of Congress and will
undoubtedly become law soon, is the
best ever adopted, and much of the credit
for it is freely accorded to the National
Rivers and Harbors Congress and its
many allied organizations throughout the
United States. This bill is drawn prac-
tlcally in accordance with the views which
this great organization, under Mr.. Rams
delPs guidance, has persistently urged
for the past five years, viz: 1t carries an
> appropriation of $50, 600, 900; is framed
on an annual basis; and commits Con-
gress to the policy Of completing great
J projects within reasonable, definite time.
T When the tariff bill was framed, Mr..
Ransdell voted with the majority of his
> party on every proposition except the
J lumber schedule; and against the bill as
whole on final passage, as he consid-
cred it an Ubiquitous measure. In voting
? for duty on lumber he did what seemed
, best to him for the welfare of the district
and the South, and in so doing stood
! with 81 other Southern Democratic Con-
2 gressmen and a majority of the Demo-
t cratic Senators, led by such fathers Of
3 Democracy as Money of Mississippi, at
e present the Party Leader in the Senate,
Daniel of Virginia, Bacon of Georgia, and
= Others, who also voted for the duty on
. lumber.
: Mr.. Ransdell has always worked in the
: utmost harmony with his party leaders;
has taken an active part in the fight
r against the Cannon Rules; and in Aug
t ust of last year was unanimously chosen
J. as Chairman of the Finance Committee
!. of the Democratic National Congressional
Committee. In this capacity he is de-
h voting much of his time to collecting the
a funds with which the Congressional Cous-
;. mittee is waging Democracy's battle thro'-
h out the Union to win the House of Rep
resentatives in the coming fall elections.
q When the bill providing for the nation
al control of quarantine was before the
;. House, Mr.. Ransdell made an earnest
speech in its behalf, and was one of the
"a leaders in putting the measure through
that branch of Congress. Since the pas.
"a sage of this law there has been recurrence
"a of the dreaded yellow fever, and it is be.
:. lieved that our beloved State shall not
n again be scouraged by that awful disease
70 The Panama Canal legislation found ir
), him close student and advocate. After
70 a visit to the Isthmus in 1907 he gave q
series of illustrated lectures on the cana
- throughout the Fifth District, accom-
panied by Prof. w. X. Dodson, Directo
of State Experiment Stations, who lee
~ tured on agriculture and stock raising
g. Mr.. Ransdell has freqently spoken il
the district on Good Roads, Education
[s' Rural Free Delivery, the Cattle Tick
We Drainage, and other practical topics @
ar interest and benefit to his constituents
% 1t is universally conceded that experi
lal ence, familiarity with legislative proceed
IN ure, and acquaintance gained by lon
H. service in Congress greatly increases
'r- members usefulness and enables him
'p- serve his people more effectively.