The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-12-14
Our Autocratic Governor.

From the New Orleans Times Democrat
We are getting in the course OF the pres
ent campaign much valuable information
about the late Legislature. In his original
platform Gov. Sanders declared himself in
favor of the independence Of the Legisla-
ture and against any interference with its
work on the part of the Governor. He was
elected on this promise, but he was no
sooner in office than he bent the General
Assemblymen to his will, until he became
it's absolute master and autocrat, ordering
it what to do and what not to do, and
making it mere dummy.
The Times Democrat, during the last
few sessions, called frequent attention to
this usurpation of power, the degradation
of our lawmaking body, and the injury
caused thereby to the State and the people.
The protests against the tyranny of the
Governor grew stronger and stronger, and
the ranks of the insurgents were swelled
by the popular and Legislative disgust over
the arbitrary acts of the Executive and his
offensive treatment of those chosen by the
people to make their laws. None the less,
with his control of patronage and the fact
that many of the lawmakers held positions
from which the Governor could remove
them if they disputed his will, he remained
the master of the Legislature to the last
moment, even Selling the right which
belongs to the Democratic white voters OF
Louisiana to choose the man to represent
them in the United States Senate, violating
the primary law and democratic principles
in doing so, forcing the General Assembly
to name himself first, and afterwards, in
order to save the ring from defeat, order
ing the General Assembly to take Judge
Thornton in his place.
But we are now in the course of the
campaign getting the innermost secrets of
the ring. Fred Middleton, the member
from jefferson, whose desertion from the
| Marrero machine is further evidence OF
it's coming dissolution, tells us that the
Governor was an absolute autocrat of the
Legislature-and ruthless autOcrat at
that
Mr.. Furlow, Representative from Qua
chita, furnishes additional information on
the subject. He tells of the frequent and
offensive interference of the Governor, and
the manner in which he dictated the action
of the General Assembly, so that he must
now assume responsibility for all its mis-
takes, its laches and outrages upon the
people.
He was wont, so we are told, to issue his
orders without the slightest hesitation
when a measure of Importance was under
discussion; and the floor walkers of that
body were called down stairs to receive in
structions from him. He issued his order
and many good bill, of interest and
benefit to the people, Mr.. Furlow says,
went to defeat before the Governors
} frown.
When the General Assembly, displaying
a faint trace of independence, seemed
likely to pass bill, or an amendment to g
bill, that would be of benefit to the public
but which was probably not exactly wha
the Governor wanted, the message came
from the Governors office: ''Tell Bob tt
call the roll slowly" and the roll was
called slowly, so as to get the Sander:
Representatives together and to work or
all weak and hesitatng members to defea
the measure.
Thus one good bill after another wa
strangled to death, Mr.. Furlow charges
under orders from the Executive. There
, was the Democratic income tax, for in
stance, where the Governor made his grea
'slip up" which he is now endeavoring-
but vainly-to explain to the voters
!, There was the Anderson bill, increasing
I the appropriation for the State Insan
! Asylum The defeat of this humane meas
J.. ure has been most injurious to these I'm
fortunate people and damaging to both tn
8 State and city. 1t was pointed out tina
4 the Insane Asylum was not receivin,
:. enough money to properly care for its in
mates. In spite of this showing the none
was refused on orders from the Governor
with the consequence that large numbe
II of the city insane cannot gain admissio
0 to the State Insane Asylum, as there is n
II room for them there and no provision 70
their support; and these unfortunates ar