The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-07-26
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION
The citizens of Shreveport are now
confronted with political situation
which must appeal to their common
sense. The conditions in Shreveport
today are not as they have been in the
past. In the issues arising over the
control Of the city the question of anti
and prohibition must be eliminated, al
least by the citizens who would be
aligned with progressive development
the progress which is substantial and
must be beneficial to all classes.
To the citizens of Shreveport there is
offered new system of government
which, if approved by a majority of the
qualified voters. will supersede the pres.
ent system, d mayor and fifteen council.
men.
The advocates of the old system are
arraying against the new system all the
opponents they can command. The rea-
son for their opposition is manifest, but
they have failed in the opportunity that
was available 10 them to convince the
people that the new system should not
be regarded with favor
In no personal sense, nor with the in
tent of rejecting on any Of the gentle
men announced on the mayor and fif-
teen counciimen system, it may be said
that this ticket is not as strong as it
could have been. This ticket is all
one Of d kind and bears the senlblance
OF remarkable "lonesomeness which is
not attractive to the citizens who are in
sisting on a change of system in their
municipal government.
This situation is due perhaps to d
well conceived and diplomatic let
alone the fifteen eouncilmen and mayor
ticket combination and the concentra-
tion Of ai1 efforts towards the proposed
government by commission system,
upon which IS localized the attention
of the people
Ii will not be gainsaid that the great
majority of the people, at least the
classes having no direct interest in the
present system, are demanding a change,
and therefore are willing to give. the
proposed new system a fair test. It is
this desire for change which must
and will overwheln in defeat the old
system of a mayor and fifteen council
men.
II may be noted that there are some
candidates who are announced for the
present and the proposed new system.
iii this attitude they eoncede their doubt,
indeed. they would not feed comfort
able If they rested their anticipatiens
only on the ticket Of the old system,
btst occupying d dual position they en-
terrain the hope of emerging from the
contest without being overwhelmed in
defeat.
1he one mayor and fifteen council
men ticket, al presented to the people,
has cleared the situation perceptibly
iii the September 6 primary this ticket
viii not be III contest, since, according
III Democratic rule, the candidates
thereon having no opposition are the
Democratic nominees. The contest
therefore, on September 6 will be di-
reetiy Oh the proposed commission
form. and ID no boastful sense it may
now be declared that il will carry BY a
majority vote Of two to one.
The proposed commission form may
Be ridiculed and belittled ever so much,
but III its worst phase it would be an
improvement over the present system
fir Tie reason that If one OF all Of the
commissioners should prove to be I'M
worthy they can be recalled On pee.
ton 0f thirty -tlaree per cent Of the vot-
ers who viii have voted to put them in.
power. This Il the very essence Of the
strength of this system. which appeals
Is common sense. On the other hand,
Il any councilman 81 the present system
did fail ii his measurement he could
defy public opinion and hold his Office
e The end al his term, even II contempt
of Impeachment
The feature of commentator IN the.
proposed new system Il the referendum
andthe recall
The politician, Office holder q Office
seeker Who il not honestly b favor Ell
DE ne system 81 government must
stand from undes