The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1912-02-27

JuOSo OdupUcl uCAI oPOhC, soy
ing that Democrats had a right to
demand Harris resignation, as he
had proven untrue to his pledge.
l.. L. JUDGE read a letter he had
written to Mr.. Harris protesting
against mixing politics and schools.
He also read the reply of Mr.. Har-
ris, who gave as a reason for his par.
ticipation in the campaign his inter
est in the Marks bill and general
school benefit. Mr.. Judice scored
Mr.. Harris and advocated his resig.
nation.
Judge Julian Mouton addressed the
meeting, contending that public edu'
cation and politics should strictly be
divorced, Just as had been the judi
ciary system.
Clerk of Court J.. G. st. Julien said
this day was appropriate for a meet
ing of this character, and that Mr..
Harris and all others should take as
their model Washington, with all his
grand character and lofty ideals in
social and political affairs.
w. B. Torian argued that if Mr..
Harris was guilty of the acts charg-
ed, he was not bound to vote for him.
Judge P. S. Pugh, of Crowley,
spoke, arguing that is the schools
should be free from politics, the
people of the State should be free
of Mr.. Harris. He cited Mr.. Aswell
as an example Of a school leader
who kept the system out of politics.
Attorney Jerome Mouton stated he
was in thorough accord with the
meeting and the sentiments express
ed.
Short addresses were also made by
Messrs. C. o. Mouton. Senator-elect
Fernand Mouton and Atty. ]. ]. Four
net.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Will
liam Campbell, w. B. Torian, Luke
Leblanc, A. Olivier and l.. L. Judice
to draft suitable resolutions, and in
due time the following were present.
ed and unanimously adopted as ex.
pressive of the sentiments of the
meeting:
Be it resolved by the mass meet
ing of the citizens of the Parish OF
Lafayette, now assembled, That
Whereas, Mr.. Thomas H. Harris
who has secured the unopposed Dem.
ocratic nomination to the Office OF
state superintendent of public educa
ton had, prior to his nomination,
stated that he did NJ believe in en-
tangling the public schools in parti'
san politics, and that, on account OF
his official position, he would de
cline to participate in any partisan
political meeting, thereby inducing
the people of the State to believe
that his declaration was a sincere
expression of his sentiments, and af
ter securing the unopposed Demo
cratic nomination by this false pre-
tense, he became a violent and Of
fensive political adherent of enc OF
the candidates for the Democratic
nomination for the governorship
thus falsifying his previous state
ments; therefore, be it
Resolved That this pernicious po
litical activity on his part, demon
strates his insincerity, has untitled
him, in u opinion, to remain as the
chief guardian of the educational in.
terests of the children of the State,
and,
Whereas, Mr.. Thomas H. Harris
is the Democratic nominee for super
intendent of public education, the
only relief that the. Democrats oil
this State have from his continuance
in office is to ask his resignation OF
the nomination to the Office when
he holds; therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense OF
this meeting that Mr.. Harris las lost
the confidence of the great majority
Of the Democratic electorate Of this
State. and that he should resign the
Democratic nomination to the Office
Of state suDerintendent NJ n,h1ic al
ucation, and he is earnestly urged II
take this action in the interest ol
the public school system of this
state; be It further
Resolved, That a copy of these