The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-08-25
PLATFORM
Of the Democratic Good Government
League of Louisiana.

! has fallen into the hands OF men who
have been untrue to the principles OF
Democratic government, and unfaithful
to the prediction pledges made to the
Democratic voters who elected them in
the faith of those pledges. The time
has come to eject these men from pow
er, and to nominate and elect men to
public office, and to the leadership of the
party who will faithfully carry out the
following principles and policies:
First-The overthrow of political ma
chine rule which has taken from the peo-
| pie the substance of Democratic govern
ment and left them only the shadow.
Second-The fundamental change of
the primary election law, so that politi-
cal bosses can not control nominations.
their henchmen can not perpetuate
frauds, and the high officials of the
party can not refuse to investigate such
frauds.
Third-The adoption of stringent
anti-lobby law which will drive the
third house" from the legislative halls,
and thus relieve that body from bane-
full influence which constantly strives to
shape and to control legislation.
Fourth-The abolition of all unneces-
sary boards, board attorneyships and
other public offices; the curtailnent of
governmental expenses within economi-
cal limits; the cutting down of the ex-
orbitant fees and emoluments of public
officials; and the tightening of the bur
den of taxation.
Fiftfl-The reform of our expensive
and inefficient judicial system, and the.
reform of civil and criminal procedure
so as to lessen the delays and expenses
of the administration of justice.
Sixth-The recasting of our systems
of assessment and taxation which are
antiquated, unequal and unjust.
Seventh-The further and radical
eurtai1ment of the appointive power and
the restoration to the people of each
locality of the Democratic right of local
self government
Eiglth-The separation of our public
school system from politics and political
control.
Ninth-The enforcement Of those
articles Of the Constitution which pro-
hibit dual officeholding.
TentlITIle maintenance of the inde-
pendence Of the legislative and judicial
departments of the government from,
executive control, and the maintenance
of the independence of each of the three
principal divisions of power in which all
American governments are divided
These are -the vital issues before the
people, and must be settled before there
can be a solution of any other questions
of ordinary governmental policy.
Until these. are solved the peoeple can
have little or no hope that their will can
be made effective in the affairs of the
State; and until they are solved, and
solved in the interest of the masses,
these policies, even if placed on the
statute books, are but dead letter.
The political oligarchy which domi-
mates the State, made up as it is of pro-
fessional ofhceholders, tax-eating sine
curists and Unsuitable suckers of public
funds, will never give these measures
to the people, because these measures
mean stab in the vita1s of the system
by which this oligarchy lives, moves and
has its being
We appeal to you to join us in the or
ganization of league for good gov
ernnent within the Democratic party.
We appeal to you to organize in every
parish in the State and every ward in
the City of Orleans in accordance with |
the plan adopted by the conference
which issues this address.
We are not acting in the interest of |
any candidates for office, present or
prospective We propose to vote in the
Democratic primaries for men who will
pledge themselves to carry out the true
principles of Democratic government
and who BY their character will not de-
velop into political liars and political
prostitutes
By order of the Democratic Good
Government League of Louisiana.
E. H FARRAR.
Chairman.