The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1913-02-23

things | want the public to know.
PLEASE publish my address to the
laycrers of Shreveport.
L. H. THURMOND.
Saturday, February %.
Apte-It is the privilege and the
right of newspaper to decline and
tC refuse any matter offered for
publication, even if it beat the reg
ular fixed rate; nor is 1t essential
that any reason shall be given for
such declination. Each editor. or
publisher, or both, may be guided
by their view of such matter, ac-
cording to their policy. In this in
stance the Caucasian's editor has
given careful perusal to the address
by Mr.. ThurmOnd. 1t was delivered
in an open meeting and is subject
for general criticism. 1t is some
what tart and reflects on officials of
the city in their public capacity,
who have their recourse.
The Caucasian is not responsible
for whatever Mr.. Thurmond has
said since he is amenable On a call
for the proof Of any of his allega-
tons or statements. AS a public ut
terance it is given space in the eau
casian without apology and under
the rule which applies to communi-
cations for publicity.-Editor.
T. H. Thurmond's address before
the labor meeting at the City Hall
February 20, 1913:
Fellow Laborers: 1t affords me
great pleasure to meet with body
of men whom | can call friends. |
come before you not as Democrat,
Socialist or Republican, but as cit
izen of Shreveport who wishes to
see the City of Shreveport and citi-
zens thereof get what is coming to
them, or what is justly due them.
I was net aware that this meeting
would be called, until | saw a notice
of 1t in one of the papers yesterday.
It meets with my hearty approval,
for l feel. that this is the beginning
of movement that will end in
much better conditions in municipal
affairs.
Ny residence begun in Shreveport
October 1867. and the citizens who
know me cen testify, that | have
never failed TO. take the laborins
mans part when city officials. OF
corporations tried TO grind them
down.
II is this spirit Of oppression that
breeds anarchy, and the time has
some with the laboring man when
patience ceases to be virtue" In
every administration since this city
was Incorporated in 1889, excepting
they present administration, the la
tor4 VI man and the. city has had a
friend. l have been auditor of the
city under three administrations,
and the present one is the only one
of the three that vote solidly to 0
against the cigy's interest. There is
nothing in the power of the present
administration to give, that the
Shreveport Gas, Electric Light and
Power Company, the Waterworks
Company and the Traction Company
can not have for the asking. l was
auditor with the present admins
tration for nine months and know
whereof l speak. The citizens of
Shreveport are being imposed on by
corporations because the Mayor and
Commissioners are "lined up" with
the corporations. More than 500 or
dinances and resolutions have been
adopted by the present admlnlstra-
ton, not one or them, more ar less,
has been enforced against corpor-
alton. No effort whatever has been
made by the present administration
to keep the corporations from rob-
bling the taxpayers. The city officials
have no right to draw salaries OF
two to three thousand dollars per
annum from the taxpayers, and
make no effort to enforce the laws.
AS the matter now stands, the tax
payers of the City of Shreveport
have no protection as far as the City
Commissioners are concerned, NOR
ally or financially, against law
breakers and corporations. The
asset of city is its fran
chises. The present administration
are not only willing to give away
to begin at the present
date, but are now trying to give the
Traction Company one to begin y
years from this date. Just think OF
t. No other traction company in
he United States would have the
gall to ask for such a thing for
money consideration to say nothing
# having il. given to them free. Nor