New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1913-08-16

The more the effect OF the
meeting held at the Court House
August End, is studied, the more
convinced We become of prob
able disintegration Of the Demo
cratic party of the Third Congress
sional District of Louisiana.
The first sign of discomfort has
crystalized in the announced
candidacy for Congress Of Eu-
gene A. Pharr.
Mr.. Pharr is a life long Re-
publican and Protectionist. He
represents the best type of the
States citizenship; it's highest
intelligence; the dignity of
southern civilization; the respect
ability of the progressive man
hood Of the State. Much sup
port has been promised him
throughout the district by some
of the most influential democra-
tic leaders, who have heretofore
stood solidly for party unity and
party success. The seriousness
Of the Democratic situation can
only be realized when you APP
proach the cane farmer and dis
cuss the critical situation Of the
cane industry a situation, full
of danger and probably disaster,
created by the UnderwoOd-S Sim
mons tariff bill.
There is no use denying the
fact that the democracy of the
Third District is going through
a crisis, which if not properly
handled, will loose its long cher
ished political supremacy. Hav-
ing slavishly supported every
Democratic candidate for Con-
grsss and local officers for 20
years or more the promised re-
Duke at the poll is justifiable.
Democracy planted at the
White House, controlling Con-
gress and Senate, having made
promises of friendship and just
considerations of our Industries
through our democratic repre-
sentatiyes, can no longer expect
to control the loyalty of our peo-
pie, when we are invited to ac-
cept the humiliation of the SUI
gar industry through the cold
logic of the tariff bill.
Democracy in the Bird district
is only possible when linked with
a Democratic tariff for revenue
policy and the. subtle pledge Of
the Baltimore platform declar-
ing that no legitimate industry
should be destroyed.
A Democracy, nursed and
reared by free-trade doctrine,
by radicalism of the socialist, is
an anomaly in the Third District.
Every dollar of investment.
whether it be in factory or field,
in sugar house or sugar cane, III
sawmil or salt mine, in forest or
fish packery needs some meas
ure of protection, some relief
from the attacks of demagOgues.
Up to the Inauguration OF the
Wilson administration, the pledg
es of our Democratic Congress-
men and Senators were generally
carried out by the Republican
party and our prosperity main
tanned and encouraged by its pol
icies.
The necessity to abandon the
Democracy did not become acute
or threaten its ACKNOWLEDGMENT
and new political alignment, as
long as the Third District Demo
cratic organization could con-
sistently endorse the fiscal policy
of Republican administrations
and tariffs, when the executive
and legislative branches Of gov
eminent were in the hands OF
Republicans whose adminiStra-
tive records found lusty endorse
ment among Democrats OF this
District. The realization of the
dangers of purely Democratic
tariff bill and the destruction Of
the chief industry, the sugar in
dustry, did not disturb the con-
science nor the political economy
of the individual voter.
The dream of contentment and
security is now dispelled. He IS
graphing now, with the most
serious problem that has chal-
lenged his intelligence for twen-
ty five years. Next to white su-
premacy the solution of the sugar
question is the most important
to test the voters political fidel-
isy.
lne TtScutllcHl CmoouiCu ~
the speeches Of the New Iberia
meeting is the message our Ma
tional sOlons may receive at the
next election. We are sorry to
see such delicate situation
threaten the intrenched position
of the Democratic party of our
district. The fine personality of
Mr.. Pharr and his high standing
in the business and industrial
world Of this State pressages \
titanic struggle, royal CON-
bat, between the two ideals of
party disappointment and party
desperation. AT the next Con-
gressional election many a prom
inent Democrat, we fear, will be
found among Mr.. Pharr's sup
porters.