The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-10-25
@THE sLUsH FUNDS"

Since the, end of the congressional
and judicial primary there have APP
peared in some newspapers the allega-
ton that @slush funds were used in the
purchase of venal voters. It was
charged that Judge Land had knowl-
edge Of such action. but when called to
account the allegators promptly relieved
Judge Land of such diseredit, with full
apologies.
Il now appears that Judge Watkins
has been connected with the "sIush
funds" which has elected from him a
vigorous deRial This assurance from
Judge Watkins should be sufficient to
sslessce the tongue of the detractor, but
it is a novice in politics who win pre-
tend TO deny that the ptirchaseable voter
is not an active element in politics in.
Louisiana.
The New Orleans States in its COM
ment on the slush funds says
1T will be an unfortunate day for
Louisiana when money or corporate in
fluence rather than an unterrifed and
untramtneled rank and file controls its.
elections; and it Is in line with that idea
that the States has suggested legislation
at the next session of the Legislature
that viii provide for complete publicity
Of campaign expenses and stern laws
to punish those who seek 10 debauch the
electorate.
Il is already an unfortunate day for.
Louisiana when money and corporate
influence have exercised their pernicious
influence towards the control of an
election. Referring to the 9slush funds
the States has received a letter, quot
ing from gentleman Of high character
residing in Shreveport, who not only
charged employment OF slush fund in
the recent campaign but asserted that a
purchaseabFe element existed in nearly
every election, and that the use of such
funds was the rule rather than the ex-
ception.
Seriously, viii the States deny or
plead ignorance of the fact that .spur
chaseabIe element is always ready to
be influenced at every election. and that
this element is not confined or limited
ia Shreveport
II would be senseless TO say that
money IS not used to influence the pur-
chaseable element at elections, which is
encouraged and facilitated BY the pri-
mary election law, whose interpretations
arc coated with i legal verbiage, as
founding to The ordinary conservative
citizen inclined to observe the law.
e In the law there are provisions de-
signed to have fair and honest cleo
tionss these may be nuilifed BY the
heeless and Others who are ready with
funds 10 persuade the voter who is in
waiting nearly to be influenced
Fortunately while there are voters in
Shreveport susceptible to be influenced
at from fifty cents and upwards. these
are unirnportant except when the result
IS dependent on q close margin.
w Y lCpCt& 15&A ENkkESs4A 10 I'LL tAA~ SAtAy
town III the United States which is not
free from the apurchaseable element
except, perhaps i should be ii the city
Of New Orleans
But what Is the use Of complaining, of
eriticisisig Of 81 citing the law and its
provisions emphasizing the prison and
the penisentiary, when the purchaseable
element Il encouraged b. the operation
Of the sslnsh funds
There is a preventive, At least to some
extent. when the man who offers to
bride and the man Who receives the
bribes which may Be Ii various forms,
should not only Be dlsfranchised but
should BE- made 70 pay the penalty in
accordance with law
This enforcement OF the law must
M with the men who favor, advocate
and stand for fair and honest elections.