Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-07-28

the work Of tax revision where the
commission above referred to left off.
in order that when the general assem-
bly, acts on this important and neces-
sary reform it may have fill infor-
nation and data at its command.
The Income Tax.
/ favor the passage, by the Louisi-
ana general assembly, of a joint reso-
luton giving unqualified Endorsement
to the proposed amendment to the
constitution of the United States, as
enacted and submitted to the states
by congress, authorizing the impo-
sition of federal tax on incomes.
The fear has been expressed in
some quarters that the proposed
amendment, as passed by congress,
may serve to reduce the marketable
value of many of our nontaxable pub
lie securities, by burdening them with
a federal tax, and force the state to
pay a greater interest On its bonded
Indebtedness than it is now charged
with. / do not share this appre-
hension.
The fact that large number of the
Democratic states Of the union and
many of the Republican states, have
accepted the income tax amendment,
IS congress passed and submitted it.
indicates that it bears the stamp Of
popular approval. The levying of a
federal tax on incomes has long been
recognized as a legitimate source Of
public revenue, and it's imposition by
congress has only been prevented By
lack of constitutional authority.
l am of the opinion that Louisiana
should at once join the ranks of its
sister Democratic states which have
Endorsed the Democratic principle of
an income tax, urged in many expires
sions and enunciated in the last ma
tional party platform.
Public Education.
Great progress has been made in
our efforts to place the advantages
of a common school education within
the reach of every child in Louisiana
and to afford vocational, technical
and advanced scientific training to
the youths and young women of the
state who desire to fit themselves
for various lines of human endeavor
1t should be our constant effort 10
place the educational institutions of
Louisiana, from the kindergarten 10
the university, upon a plane of eff
cheney exceeded by that of no state
in the union.
I am particularly impressed with
the splendid work accomplished by
the agricultural schools in a number
of the parishes, and favor systematic
development of this form of educa-
ton. 1t is of the utmost importance
TO the future welfare and prosperity
of the state that the youth of the
agricultural districts should be af-
forded an opportunity to obtain tut
ton in scientific farming, in order
that the agricultural wealth of the
state may be fully developed, and
those who follow agricultural pursuits
profit by modern methods of treating
and tilling the soil
Dual Office Holding.
condemn as undemocratic and uu-
just the holding of more than one Of
flee of public trust by any single
Democrat of the state. Dual office
holding has gradually, but surely, be-
come a political evil in Louisiana, and
pledge myself, If elected. to devote
my earnest and conscientious efforts
to its suppression.
Honest Elections.
The ballot box, aptely termed the
lark of the covenant" In popular gov
eminent, must be protected with jeal
Gus care and vigilance by free peo-
pie; for in an incorruptible electorate,
and the honest casting. counting and
returning of the ballots lies the safety
of the commonwealth.
American liberty is constructed on
foundation Of enlightened and hon.
est government, and the man who
robs another Of his vote, or by trick
cry, fraud, connivance or consent,
contributes to the corruption of the
electorate, in any manner whatsoever,
aims a deadly blow at society at the
same time that he violates the statu-
tory law.
The Daily Picayune, one of our
great conservators of thought, in It's
issue of May 81 last, said editorially: !
1T is the Picayune's demand that the |
approaching battle of the ballots shall
mark an epoch in Louisianas history,
that it shall speak to the world of the |
fair and square deal one can expect !
when either running for office OF vot- !
ing for it within the confines Of this
great Pelican state, that 1t shall an
nounce that within Louisiana's do i
main every ballot is counted as it is |
cast, no matter for whom.
l heartily subscribe to these senti- |,
ments. There is no crime defined by |
statute that has greater influence |
for evil on our system Of government !
than the corruption of the ballot, in |
whatever form it may be committed, |
for the reason that it strikes at the
very Keystone Of government, and |
makes of the very term liberty IT,
self hollow mockery.
To the protection of the electorate |
from the influences that make for
fraud, dishonesty and the guarantee |
to the people of this state of the safe
guarding of those sacred electoral /
rights conferred on them by the or
ganic law, / pledge my earnest en-
deavors.