The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-08-24
] CLA|BORNE's PLATFORM.
Pointe coupee Candidate for Con.
gress States the Cardinal Princi-
pies Of His Political Creed.

In announcing his candidacy fol
congress, Ferd G. Claiborne issued
the following platform of principles
and policies upon which he bases his
claims to the consideration of the
voters:
II believe that, as stated in the
national Democratic platform recent
ly adopted at the Baltimore conyen-
ton, the control Of the Mississippi
river is a national problem and
that the depth of It's channel should
be maintained for the purpose of
navigation, believe further that
the thousands of citizens who in
habit the fertile lands Of the great
i valley of the Mississippi river are
entitled to receive at the hands of
7 the general government absolute pro-
lection for their property and their
lives. 1t is neither wise from an
economic viewpoint nor from an
ethical viewpoint that they should
be expected to protect themselves
against the rayages Of this great
national drainage ditch which re-
ceives and carries off the rain of
thirty-one states Of the Union and
OF part OF the Dominion of Canada.
AS to improvements to be made
in the naVigable streams Of our state,
"A believe that, just as far as the
construction and maintenance of good
roads is necessary as a means Of
facilitating traffic and transportation
by laRl, SO the natural waterways of
our state should be taken care of as
the natural arteries of commerce;
and. since the general government
reserves to itself the control of ali
navigable streams, it should bear the
responsibility and defray the expense
or keeping those streams at all times
In proper condition for the purposes
OF commerce. / believe the naviga
BILE streams of our state should be
cleared of all distractions and open
ed for the free passage of water
craft. | believe the time is at hand
when those streams should be convert
ed into busy waterways bearing the.
commerce Of our state to the great.
city of New Orleans, so that when
the Panama Canal shall have been
completed our people will be able
to reap directly their share Of the
benefits that will come from thus
opening our markets to the world.
In this connection might add that
advocate the passage of such laws
as may be necessary to promote the
growth and development of the
American merchant marine and the
free passage of American vessels
through the Panama Canal.
III believe in a tariff for revenue
and stand for the protection of
all OF Louisiana's industries. II I
did not feel that / could conscien-
tiously advocate such protection |
would not offer myself as a candi-
date for congress.
II believe in the return to the
Monroe doctrine which our. govern
ment under Republican administers
ton has practically abandoned, and
believe in such improvements in
our national defences as will com
niand proper respect for that doc
trine.
II believe in the election of Unit
sd States senators by the direct vote
VI the people, anu my past record IN
the state legislature shows that q
have striven for this enforcement Of
this policy in this state, and IL elect
ed to congress I viii advocate the
of such laws as will carry
this policy into effect.
"a believe in an economical admin
stration oil the affairs OF the gov
arfsnent and the Adjustment of ALI
sirlecures. The national treasury is
he peoples treasury, and those who
lold its purse strings are only the
agents and the servants Of the peo-
lie.
There are many other important
principles which I advocate, but
which it Is not practicable 10 set
ourth within the narrow compass Of
az platform. shall discuss these
Principles on the stump during the
resent campaign.
!. I'm case of my election I purpose
D keep at all times lii as close touch
8 possible with the people of my
islrict, and their welfare and their
nterest viii be my inspiration and
" guide" !