The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1912-09-28
A PLEA FOR THE OBSERVANCE
OF LAW.

West FeliCiana) have a record OF
which they are justly proud, that OF
always being in the forefront in any
fight for good officials and good gov
eminent in louisiana Going back
only to the days Of reconstruction,
these parishes were among the very
first to rise against tyranny and mis-
rule. Every succeeding political bat
tie has seen them allied with the
heaven-armed forces Of right, regard
less of might.
Their exercise of the franchise has
been so largely sane and just and
right that it is amazing now to OBJ
serve the position assumed by many
voters in East Feliciana and a few
in West Feliciana, in the present
congressional contest. These voters
most of them perhaps have voted
heretofore on high planes of thought
and principle. They are now sup
porting Lewis l.. Morgan for con
gresham, not because of any spec
ial regard they have for him, or for
any decided opinion that he is the
better man for the place but simply
and solely, as they are frank to adj
nit, because he has promised to make
Alec East, of Wilson, La, his sec
rotary!
Such voters are not really voting
for a congressman, they are voting
for a clerk, an inconceivable politi,
Cal absurdity, if it were not so we'll
known and undeniably authenticated
Morgan's campaign in East Feliciana
has been carried out on this issue
alone, and although some of Mr.
East's friends, much as they esteem
ed him and wished him we'll, have
declined to debase the intent OF
50 high and important a ballot as
that for Congressman by using it to
secure for him a $1,000 clerkship, yet
many others, it is regretfully noticed
have accepted this poorly balanced
proposition, one which they would no
entertain for a moment as a business
transaction. 1t is astonishing that
such should be the case, but it is
even so, if frank statements to that
effect may be relied upon.
Besides this being an unworthy as
Well as unbusiness-like prostitution
of their ballot, it is moreover a VIC
latton Of both the national and state
laws, which expressly prohibit the
promise of any position for the pur
pose of influencing votes.
Sec. q of the Louisiana law reads:
Section 27, Be it further enact
ed, etc, That it shall be unlawful,
for any person, directly or indirect
ly, by himself or through any Other
person.
"(2) To give, offer, or promise
any office, place or employment, Of
to promise to procure, or endeaYol
to procure any office, place or EN-
pIoyment to or for any voter, or t
or for any other person, in order 4
induce such voter to vote or refrain
from voting at any election, or to USE
any force to vote or refrain from vot
ing at such election for any particu
lar person or persons.
900 To give away or distribute
intoxicating liquors in unbrOken pack
ages to persons with the intent o
Influencing their votes in an cleo
ton"
The law applies not only to Mr.
Morgan, who has promised Mr.. Eas
this position AT AN ADVANCE or
SALARY, but to every voter whC
permits this promise to Mr.. East tt
influence his vote, for thus Sec 28
% of the Corrupt Practices Act O
Louisiana may be construed.
reads:
Section %. Be it further enact
ed, etc, That it shall be unlawful fo
any person, directly Or indirectly, b,
himself Of through any other person:
"W To receive, agree or contrac
for, before or during an election, an!
money, gift, loan or other valuable
consideration, office, place or EN-
plOyment for himself or any othe
person, for voting or agreeing to vot
Or for coming or agreeing to COM
to the polls, or for refraining o
agreeing to refrain from voting TO
any particular person or persons a
any election"
Every voter who casts his vote TO
Morgan, meaning East, violates th
law. The Felicianian, who realize
the significance of this, and who be
lieves that laws are made to be obey
ed, must inevitably conclude tina