The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-09-21
On page 152, under. the same head

| On page 152, under the same head
ling:
AFTER receiving subsidies botl
through direct bountiess and indirect
ly through the tariff for over 10C
years, the sugar industry in Louisi
ana, if it cannot stand alone, has nc
further claim upon the American PEG.
pie. 1t is absurd to ask the govern
| ment to continue to tax the consun1-
ers through the tariff S125, 100000
| annually, SO that Louisiana may pro
produce a crop, the yearly value OF
which is about $25,000,0 900. We should
look to industries that could be of SCI
vice to the American people, and not
| to industries that the American peo-
pie must serve.
The people of Louisiana are in an
absolute state Of lethargy SO far as
this campaign is concerned. No state
in the Union is SO vitality Interested
in the reelection of President Taft
as Louisiana is. And yet this list
lessness exists in the face OF the
self-eFident fact that if the election
was held today Mr.. Taft would besde-
feated.
In the past our people have been
wont to console themselves with the
thought that it made no difference
whether they supported the Republi-
can party or not; that the north and
east would return the Republican
party to power and we would be pro-
tected.
There is yet ample time, seven
weeks, in which to re-elect Mr.. Taft.
But it cannot be done unless the peo-
pie whose interests he has preYery-
ed, rally to his support. The most
cogent and powerful argument in the
Democratic text book is the argument
for free sugar. If the Democratic
party wins the election, it will be
largely on the promise OF free SUI
gar. Since the Republican party is
making the fight for Louisiana in
dustries, it has the right to expect
support of the people Of Louisiana,
and unless it secures that. along with
the support of the other states in
terested in the protective policy, it
will be defeated.
OF course many who read this let
ter will attribute it to my interest in
retaining the office / hold. What
ever may be a mans motives, they
cannot detract from the force of his
arguments If these are sound. But
as l shall not be a candidate for re-
appointment as collector of the port
in the event of Mr. Taft's reelection,
it will be seen that my motive can
not be enc of self-interest.
! merely wish to point out to my
people the danger that threatens
them and thereby give them the OPP
portunity to help avert it, At the
meeting of the Taft campaign COM
mittee last Tuesday, Mr.. j. A. Thorn
ton Of Morgan City authorized the
purchase Of 100 copies of the Demo
sratie campaign text book for dis
trfbution in Louisiana. Anyone can
ieeure a copy Tor 25c. on applica-
ton to the Democratic national com
mittee. New York City.
! hope everyone in Louisiana will |
send for it ana read the elaborate
and cogeflt an gunlents presented for |
immediate downward revision OF the
tariff to q revenue basis only and for
absoiuf el tree suga If. lived else
where these gInle1lts mi con
vince me of the correctness Of the /
Democratic position But as / IiVez
n Louisiana, they more firmly conf
vince me Of the correctness of the
Republican position.
Respectfully,