The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-01-15

IpCCldIly uSIldHu lLC 1OllOWlllS lGIOl his
in the governmental affairs of Louis
iana believing them necessary to pro-
moee the general welfare of the people
First-The radical curtailment of the
appointive power of the governor, which
lis the greatest menace to free govern
ment in this State today. Executive pat
ronage leads the governor to exercise
1.-THE power of an autOcrat or political
despot, which is totally at variance with
the free institutions of this Republic.
Second-The abolition of the lobby or
third house, which NEEDLES with all
kinds of legislation and excrts an inAu-
ence unquestionably injurious to the
public interest.
Third-Dual office holding, and espe-
cially by members of the General As
sembly, must be stopped and the law
upon this subject duly enforced No
member of the Legislature should hold
any other public position whatever, for
thereby his independence is completely
destroyed.
Fourth-Extravagance in government
al expenditures must come to an end
and the financial affairs of the State
placed upon a sound business basis, so
that the people will not be called upon
to vote additional taxes on themselves,
because the State is unable to meet it's
own obligations.
Fifth-There must be a cessation of
salary raising, as we'll as the abolition
of large number of useless and un-
necessary offices if we are to practice
that economy which is now being de-
manded of all public eoficia1ly Espe-
cially would we urge reduction of
board employees, the present large num-
Der creating an enormous expense ac-
count to be paid by the State. Also, we
favor the reduction of the number of
boards and a concentration of the work
of our levee system and elemosynary in
stitutions in the interest of economy and
efficient service.
We believe the foregoing to be in
harmony with Democratic government
and conducive to the best interests of
this State and her people
The State is at present under the con-
troll and domination of one man who Sc
cured his election by glittering platform
pledges and promises which were ac-
cepted by the people of this State in
good faith. He has violated them in
many notable instances and sought to
build up and erect a self-centered po-
litical ol;garchy with himself as its chief
Ito dominate, dictate ard control every
branch Of our State government from
the Legislature which elects a United
States senator, down to the Game Com
mission, which elects the game warden
! who fattens at the public crib while the
people are told to vote more taxes to
| pay the old Confederate soldier his we'll
earned support.
The citizenship of our great CONNER
cia1 metropolis, New Orleans, is aroused
as to the true situation as evidenced by
the $4,000 poll taxes paid in that city,
and our friends are now fast organizing
there to join us in the noble and glori-
Gus undertaking of restoring economical
and Democratic government to this
commonwealth.
Invoking the aid of Him who rules
land guides the destiny of states and
nations and subordinating every local
| or factional issue that would tend to
divide our people, we appeal to every
man in Louisiana, and especially Caddo
parish, to join US in this movement to
Insure the enactment into law of the de-
mands set forth in this declaration, as
we'll as thep olitical overthrow of those
who, drunk with power, have arrogated
to themselves the right to dictate, domi-
nate, boss and control the free people of
| this fair State.
This report of the platform committee
was adopted enthusiastically.
The first speaker, Hon. Robert Rob
erts of Webster, scored Governor San
ders, who he charged had violated ev-
every pledge to the people and who had
created number Of Offices through
which he had increased his power of
control throughout the State.
The next speaker was Hon. Thomas
H. Lewis of Opelousas, who is aged rs
years and has never held a public Office
nor is seeking one, and who is the head
/ Of the State League, presented the issues
of good government clearly and logical
l1y. He pointed out the imperative ne
cessity of change which could be eff
fected by the people.
| The next speaker, Judge E. 6. Hum
ter of Rapides, reviewed the admins
tration of Governor Sanders in detail
land pointed out its shortcomings in
forceful criticism. In the course of his
remarks he complimented Hon. N. c,
Blanchard, former Governor of Louis