Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-15
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER IS, 1911.
WHAT HAS FOSTER DoNEa


Gently to point out in these columns
some of the things which Senator
Foster has done in his recent sem
atorial career which in our judg-
ment make him unfit longer to rep
resent Louisiana in the Senate. We
refer to the Senator's votes on the
amendments to the Payne-Aldrich
tariff bill where the record shows
him uniformly aligned with the
Interests led by Cannon in the House
and Aldrich in the Senate, and cast
ing his vote against any proposed
reductions Of duties-against the
declarations of the last Democratic
platform and, therefore, against the
interests Of the people he represents
or acknowledgements.
This record Of positive acts of the
Senator is in itself enough to defeat
his ambition for reelection, but
when we turn to the acts of omis-
sion committed by Senator Foster
we find record barren of accom-
plishment Of anything of value to
the people Of his State.
Senator Foster took his seat in
the United States Senate eleven
years ago, and during that time he
has entirely failed to make good. !"
Not one measure of Importance to
the State or the nation originated
with or has been championed by
him. He belongs to that class of
Senators Of mediocre ability whose
presence in the Senate is only dis
closed when they answer roll calls.
We have heard of Senator Williams
of Mississippi and will hear Of SEN
ator Vardaman, of Senators Bailey
and Culberson, OF Texas, Of Senator
Bacon, Of Georgia, and other South
ern Senators, but who has ever
heard of anything done by Senator
Murphy ]. Foster?
One great opportunity was given
to Senator Foster to do good service
to his State, but he utterly failed
to take advantage of it.
Some years ago the lamented s..
d. McEnery was offered position
on the Commerce Committee of the
Senate. This Committee corresponds
to the Rivers and Harbor. Commit
tee of the House and to it are re-
ferred all bills relating to improve
ments OF rivers and harbors and
appropriations for levees. Senator
McEnery, realizing bis age, and
thinking that Senator Foster, being
a younger and, physically, more
vigorous man, could best fill the
place, resigned it in his favor, and
the latter got the much coveted po-
sition.
Thus was opened to the Senator
an opportunity to serve the people
Of Louisiana where their interests
are vitality concerned by working
for increased appropriations fol
levees and by furthering the de-
mands Of the people that the ma
tional government shall take entire
and exclusive control Of levee build
ing and relieve the people from the
grinding tax exactions imposed upon
them to avert destruction from
floods.
With this opportunity in his
reach it would seem that Senator
Foster, in his present campaign
could point with pride' to a rec
ord Of service well done as a mem
Der of this Committee. Why has h,
not done so? Because, after short
service, in which he nobly sustained
his record in other respects by do
ing absolutely nothing, he, to The
intense indignation and disgust Of
Senator McEnery, resigned has plac'
on the Committee and threw away
the opportunity TO serve his people
which either his mind failed to ap-
preciate or he felt himself incom-
petent to embrace.
Verify, in the words Of the Epis-
copal service, He has done those
things which he ought not to have
done and he has left undone those
things which he ought to have done
and there is No health i'm him -