The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-09-06
SHATTUCK'S WARNING
The Interjection of Politics into the
Panama Exposition - The Proposed
Tax Not Popular in the Country.


Tax Not Popular in the Country.
The article following is reproduced
from the Times Democrat and may b.
read with general intertst.
Lake Charles, La, Sept. 2, 1910.
To the Editor of the Times-Demo-
icrat | have been an interested locker
on at the struggle between the political
factions in this State, and am glad te
see III your editorial of Tuesday that you
perceive the danger to the exposition
because of it. My honest opinion is
that so far as this immediate section OF
the State is concerned, the damage is
already done. The interjection of poll
tics in matter which should have been
absolutely a non-partisaf affair is hav-
ing most discrediting effect. further
believe that the declination of Governor
Sanders to qualify for the United States
Senate will add to the unpopularity of
the tax
In fact, in every reason adduced for
the failure Of the exposition tax we find
the Governor the storm center. The
criticisms hurled at his administration
of affairs has affected the tax adversely,
and from two viewpoints. His friends
and he is far from being without friends
are indignant at what they consider
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accusations made against him, so they
are ready to oppose the tax in order that
the people of New Orleans, who are by
far the most interested in securing the
exposition, may understand that the
country resents such action His enc
he is rich in this respect-be-
lieve every word printed in deregation
of him. and iump to the conclusion that
the exposition is a Sanders affairs. got
ten UP to glorify him and advance his
political fortunes therefore they oppose
the tax.
am not defending the soundness of
such arguments, but if they are used
6and they are) then the effect is the
same.
When the death of Senator McEnery1
occurred, the General Assembly was in
session; under the law there was but
one thing to do, and that was to elect al
successor. There was but one name be-
fore that body, as the other two names
voted for were merely offered to keep
the irfeeoneilabies from voting blank
| voted for Mr.. Sanders, and in doing
SO [ must confess was not thinking
Of the exposition. | voted for him, first,
because he was the only bona fide can
didate; secondly, because consider him
a big, bfaifly man, whose chief failing
an inclination for big stick methids--I
believed might be of benefit in that bun
die Of dry bones called the United States
Senate. | fecognizesas a matter of
equity, North Louisia.a should have one
Of the senator's, but the man who looms
big in that section would not allow his
name to be pt sented
sincerely believe that the final de
slination of Governor Sanders to accept
The senatorsiip was tactical mistake, |
30 far as the exposition was concerned
The scene of battle is about to be trans
ferred to Washington, where his vote
and influence would be a powerful assist
ance, therefore to decline it at the in
stance of the very men who shouted
aosannas at his elevation looks as
.hough New Orleans politics and the re-
.ention of the registrar of voters were
Of more Importance than the success of
he. exposition
The tinsophistieated country mind can
not follow such a bewildering change of
front swithout cotiiuring UP dire suspi
sions. Once let the belief take root that
he exposition is the foot ball of New
Orleans politicians. and the matter is |
1etticd Remember, | am not uttering
20 much my own views as / am repeat
ng the arguments which may be heard
my day. When you add to the clamor
If Mr. Sanders opponents that other
number of country voters
who are unable TO see where the exposi-
ion would help them personally. and
who are constitntionally opposed to fur
her taxation, it must be conceded that
he proposition is in some danger. II
ooks to me as though the affair has
been badly botei1ed
S. o. SHATTUCK. i