St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1911-08-19

schools, and State officials; in fact each and every party having
the handling and disbursing Of public funds Of the State.
During this administration there has not been a single defal-
cation of any official charged with the collection, handling OR
disbursng of public funds. From the figures furnished by the
Auditor, I find that the defalcations of tax collectors alone,
from 1880 to 1907, were 1862, 75482. These figures furnish a
powerful, and, I might say, an almost unanswerable argument
in favor of the establishing of this department and the increas-
ing Of it's efficiency. ".: --.
LEVEES.
During the three years that I have been your Governor
nothing has been left undone in the way of maintaining and
preserving intact our splendid levee system. The record shows
that under this administration up to July l., 1911 (three years.,
there was ~24,542,524 cubic yards of levees constructed, by the
State and Levee Boards, as against 24,446,546 cubic yards con-
strueted under the entire four years of my predecessor. This
shows an increase of 95,978 cubic yards, during the three years
Of this administration. The total yardage constructed by the
State and LeVee Boards during this and the Blanchard admin
istration aggregated ~48,899J07O cubic yards. During the same
time the yardage constructed by the United States Government
aggregated 14,872244 cubic yards, or less than onethird that
constructed by the State of Louisiana and the Levee Boards.
My felloW-citzens, the State administration that is now
drawing to a close has been a progressive one. 1t has stood for
improvement, for the material welfare and for the moral uplift
OF the people. 1t has stood for measures the benefits of which
will not be felt for years to come. It has not been wrapped up
altogether in the present, but has taken into consideration, some
what, the needs of those who are to be. We have tried to con-
serve the things that should be conserved and to do things along
proper lines. [ can ~truthfully say that, since I have been Gov
ernor, L have never asked myself the question whether a thing
was popular or not; I have only asked myself the question
whether it was right, and, if convinced of it's Righteousness, I
have abided by it. e.. 49,. $3.50. .a..~
I stated, in my inaugural address, that I knew my motives
would often be misunderstood and my actions misconstrued, but
mightier than the mouthings of the carping critic is the heart
beat OF the men of this land, wrapped up in the welfare of
wife and child, content in the happiness of home and freside;
and to them do I appeal. They gave me my commission; they
are the ones who, in the final analysis, should say whether or
not I have done good or evil. ..-
| have kept the State administration clean. Political crimes
and political mistakes are laid at my door. Before the bar of
public opinion | am arraigned, charged with crimes Of both
commission and omission; but, thank God, there is no man who
can say that there has been any corruption during this admin
lstration; thank God, no matter what else my enemies may
charge, they are bound to admit that, clean and decent, this
administration passes into the hands of its successors.
NATIONAL ISSUES.
But, enough of State affairs. = It now becomes necessary
to discuss national issues. There is no question of personal
difference between my opponents and myself. The three of
US are Louislanians, native born. All of us have served the
people, III various capacities, and our public records are
matters for legitimate discussion and legitimate criticism. Per-
sonalltles can have no place in this campaign. Pujo, Broussard,
and Sanders, as individuals, count for but little, but the prin-
ciples and convictions for which they stand are the all-inportant
questions. -.:#
For a month past, my opponents have been discussing my
record in State affairs. To-day, I propose to discuss, somewhat,
thelr records IN national affairs. For a month past, they have
been. engaged in discussing my political shortcomings; I may
be pardoned, therefore, if [ calmly and dispassionately discuss
ASSOA0 Ill Wy uRG
~ Since the Ruston meeting, both of my distinguished oppo-
nents have been engaging in joint debates, which have been
about as exciting as a game Of pingpong. The only contention
between these two gentlemen seems to have been who could
me the hardest. The joint appearance of these two gen
tlmen On the stump has been a veritable love-feast. Pujo-
meetings are announced and the public is invited to
and listen to what these modern Damon and Pythias have
70 say about their common enemy. The loving kindness and
gentle words that they use towards one another, in their stirring
debates, is a refreshing and delightful episode in this cam
ealgn. Their interests are one and their records much alike.
Democrats, out of 166 voting on the Payne tariff bill,
in favor of that bill. Two of these Democratic votes in
5aVor OF this Republican measure were furnished by. my dis
angulshed opponents. -Four Democrats voted against the mo-
aon made by Champ Clark to recommit the Payne tariff bill,
With instructions to remodel it along revenue lines. placing
articles on the free list, and two of these four
'otes were furnished by my distinguished opponents. a
They both take delight in ridiculing, on the stump, my
tatement that am a Democrat and that I will vote and work
WITH my colleagues, II elected to Congress, but neither one of
ny opponents can say that he is a Democrat, standing on the
NATIONAL Democratic Platform, because their records show that
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