The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-05-21
GOVERNOR L. f. HALL.
Continued from first page)

| Dtllef able TO carry out party prlncl-
piles and party policies They are
reaching for the substance of politi-
cal power and will be no longer con-
| tent with its mere shadow.
The broader primary system has
come to meet the demand for pro
gress within the party. 1t furnishes
a sound and enduring basis for the
ideal republic. With the vast ac-
emulation of wealth and the efforts
of private greed to control public az
fairs and shape governmental poll
cies to suit its selfish purposes, with
the increasing complications of in
dustrial development and the ever
widening scope of governmental
| functions, the old system became a
menace to the liberties of the peo-
pie and they have started on a new
path. They have brought the nomi-
nation as we'll as the election of
their officials within popular con-
| troll.
| They are right. In that way alone
can the integrity of the political
| party be best maintained and party
conduct made responsive to their
will. The ablcst students of gov
ernmental philosophy are united in
the opinion that we'll defined and
permanent political parties are es-
sential to the well-being of re-
public.
The road to reform is by such
means always kept open. The path
way of progress is kept cleared of
| distractions. Public officers are
held to stricter accountability for
| their official conduct and, without
revolution, the new ideas which take
root in the public mind may be ex-
plotted an dput to the crucial test of
trial
The Voice of the People
can be and is thus heard in every
branch of the government and the
integrity of our government and the
safety of free institutions assured.
| come here after one of the most
| exciting and holly contested cam
paigns ever witnessed in our State.
1t was one in which issues as well
| as methods and men were thorough
| ly discussed. My elevation to this
| high office was. not personal vic
tory. 1t was the triumph of the
| cause that | represented, the cause
of purer methods and better laws,
of retrenchment and civic righteous
ness, the cause of popular right and
justice. The people, asserting their
power and awakened determination;
thus declared their wishes in terms
that can not be misunderstood.
There has never been a clearer
mandate sent forth from the ballot
box than that which went out on the
23rd day of January, and | am sure
that all Democrats without regard
to fractional alignments will heed it
as the mandate of the party and will
work in harmony and good will in
the effort to embody in proper legis-
lation what the party by an over
whelming majority has already de-
creed and accomplish what the
people wish. The advance referen-
dunn has clearly outlined what the
people demand, and as trusted sery-
ants we who have been commissioned
by them, have received our instruc-
tons.
A Public Officer Is Public Servant
who owes the moral and legal duty
of faithful service to the people.
Their will when it has been ex-
pressed and their good when their
will has not been expressed should
be his sole guide. When he goes be-
yond this and uses the power en-
trusted to him to be exercised for
the common good to further his own
or the selfish interests and ends of
others he becomes usurper and an
embezZler of power
As the Governor elected by the
people and commissioned by them !
propose to stand squarely for the
principles enunciated by the plat
form on which was chosen and for
the constructive reforms as well as
remedial legislation indicated by it.
1t shall be my sincere and constant
purpose to serve the whole people
faithfully and unselfishly and to do
all within the legitimate scope of my
power to meet their wishes and pro-
mote the common good / may make
mistakes, but for these / ask a char
liable and kind indulgence
The legislative department being
an independent branch of the gov
eminent, it is to the General Assem-
bly, that the people must in the last |
resort look for the proper legislative