St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1913-10-11

/ CIdtlllS dSdltist lIlG pIdtC. lit
result very properly was Another
Failure.
In neither attempt was any
provision made to Systematically
and gradually reduce and pay off
4 the debt in a business-like way.
Straight so year bonds were
authorized, calling for the pay,
ment of 4 per cent interest an.
nually on the whole $11, 600, 00C
for so years; that is, the taxpay-
ers, who have already paid Out
at least SIG, 500, 900 interest or
| this debt during the past years,
would have to pay out 208 per
cent more, or over S22, 600, 600,
and still have the principal of
over $11, 600, 600 on their hands.
An understanding Of these
/ facts will convince every reason
fable man that it is high time
that sound business men expert
enced in finance should take
charge and evolve a system of
serial bonds, with provisions to
retire any bond at anysserni-an-
nual interest paying period, to
gradually reduce the principal
and with it the annual interest,
and to as quickly as possible get
rid of the entire debt. This is
Mr.. Dubuisson's view of the
matter, and he is an expert. who
has made special study of bond
issues and other financial ques-
tions, and has both the expert
ence and capacity to carry itout.
For over three years our reg
ular governmental machinery
has tried to settle this question,
and failed. The people of the
State are now asked to select 80
men to solve the question, which
must be done before January 1st
or bankruptcy will stare US in
the face.
This is no time to make more
mistakes. The proper solution
Of the question depends upon
whether we send the right men
to the Convention, men who will
seriously and soberly work out a
solution of this important and
urgent financial q u e ST o n.
Every attempt heretofore made
to settle the question has result
ed in failure. Politicians and
Legislators of ability tried it in
1910, and again in 1911, and both
times failed. Should the State
send to the proposed Convention
men of the usual type, the word
failure will be spelled for the
third time, and no chance will be
left for a fourth trial The due
date of the recognized State debt
will be upon us, and the States
credit and chance for progress
will be hopelessly ruined.
st. Landry cannot control the
selection of delegates throughout
the State. But it can and must
choose for itself, and by choos-
ing well it may be able to give
to the Convention a leader who
will aid in guiding the State
away from failure and to the
doorway Of success, in raising it
in the confidence of men and
nations instead of lowering it to
their distrust.
St. Landry has led before, and
it can lead now, If it chooses it's
delegate wisely. The race in this
parish is between Messrs. Ed
ward B. Dubuisson, John w.
Lewis, and William J. Sandoz.
The gist of Mr.. Lewis platform,
in his own words, is the simple
announcement that he will stand
with Governor Hall. This is in
line with what our etteemed
contemporary, the Eunice Star"
says in it's editorial of last Sat
urday advocating the candidacy
of Mr.. Lewis. Brother Strother
says:
It does not tcke a genius, be
his prestige and vocation what
it may, to go to the Convention
at Baton Rouge, hear the de-
liberations of that body, weigh
carefully all sides of the best
plan proposed, and cast his vote
therefor. Even the Editor of
the Star could do that.
The Clarion admits all that.
But do the voters of st. Landry
want to send to Governor Hall a
mere proxy, or a man to vote
Just as he should dictate?
Governor Hall himself would
not want that. This is not a
political question in which the
Governor wants to lead. It is a
financial one in which he wants
to be led. He does not want
good listeners, obedient voters,
eloquent takers, popular mixers.
He wants, and Louisiana needs,
expert help, sound advice, and
trained leadership. Governor
Hall wants a whole new plan to
r ep1ace two failures,
not one single, obedient vote