The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-04-13
The Royal Road to Reform.

The Royal Road to Reform.
Lake Charles American-Press
The esteemed Times Democrat, we are
grieved to note, is inclined to be impatient
with the papers of the State because they
have remained silent on the political sit
uation'' and is, somewhat unjustly, init
mating that their silence is due either to
the fact that "they are controlled by the
Sanders machine, which is vainly attempt
ing to delay as long as possible public
discussion of it's defects and iniquities, or
because the editors want to see which way
the tide is drifting before committing them
selves.'
The American Press believes that the
papers of the parishes are taking just as
much interest in State politics as the early
stage of the campaign and the somewhat
chaotic outlook as to principles and per-
sonalities would justify at this time. Many
of them are, week by week, suggesting to
the vothers changes in the present laws
which would be beneficial. An unusual
number of them are outspoken upon the
need of abolishing the tremendous power
of the executive over appointments and
consequently over the Legislature. Some
are suggesting unusual care in the selec-
ton of Representatives in the Legislature
without which reform in this State resolves
itself into mere howl to get some other
fellows in office.
We really do not see what more they can
do at this stage Of the game, unless they
indulge in denunciation of the present
Governor for exercising the power that the
voters of Louisiana have been foolish
enough to place in the hands of the Exec
utive. We must confess that we do not see
the wisdom or the necessity of such a
course. So far as the State Administration
is concerned Gov. Sanders is not an issue.
He cannot be candidate himself, and we
see no indication that he is trying to name
his successor. Whether his record is such
as to recommend him for other honors he
may seek is another question, which may
be better discussed when the candidates are
actually before the people.
AS we see it in Calcasieu, the overshad-
owing topic is, Shall the Governor continue
to exercise such enormous power as has
been entrusted to him heretofore? And
the administration advocates have quite as
much concern in this as the "leaguers :"
or plain insurgents; because they may rest
assured that whoeveris elected Governor is
going to WELD all the power the law confers
on him. It is just as much to the interest
of one class of adherents to take away this
power as it is to another, because the
CURLING of such power is common con-
Germ.
AS the American Press has reiterated,
perhaps to tiresome extent, only the
election of LEGISLATURE COMPOS-
ED OF STRONG MEN WILL RELIEVE
LOUISIANA FROM OPPRESSIVE LAWS
and tyrannical abuse of power by the Gov
ernor. Not only must its members hold
the right views, but they must be stout
hearted enough to stand up against the
pressure of the incoming Governor Who
EVER HE MAY BE. We think a search
of the records will show that every Gov
ernor of recent years has gone just as far
as the Legislature permitted him to go in
the exercise of his power, and if Gov. San
ders has gone farther than any others, it
is because he had the weakest kneed Leg
islature Louisiana was ever cursed with.