The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-11-19
THOS. C. BARRET'S PLATFORM


ing promotion to the highest office
within peoples gift, announces his
policies-he faTors extension OF Proht-
bition state aid for good roads,
better schools and free textbooks fer
door children, strict enforcement OF
antitrust laws, binding primary cleo
ton laws; heartily supports measures
in behalf of labor and is irrevocably op-
posed to increase Of taxes.
In submitting his candidacy for the
GoVernorShip, Mr.. Barrett announces
his platform as follows:
In submitting to the Democratic
electors of the state my candidacy for
the highest office within their gift, |
deem it my duty to inform them as to
the policies shall pursue if nominated
and elected Governor OF this common
wealth.
First favor the immediate ex-
tension of the local option unit from
the parish to the congressional district
and election in each district on the is
Suance of liquor license; and during my
term OF office, if elected, | pledge my in
fuence to secure the passage Of leglS'
latiye amendment submitting to the
electorate of the entire state the queS.
ton of statewide prohibition. Those
who favor prohibition, already number.
ing more than 50 per cent, OF the popu-
lation, and affecting three-fourths Of
the states area. cannot be denied the
right of the referendum on this queS
ton.
"Second-The resources Of our great
commonwealth are well nigh fundlesS,
and when once We have adopted eCOnO-
mic policy which no longer gives shelf
er to thousands of saloons and allied
liquor interests, which during the year
1918 resulted in drink bill estimated at
S37, 000, 900, OF which more than one-half
was sent to the liquor baronS outside
the state, our resources, relieved OF
this heavy burden. will rise in magni
fcent way to provide for all necessary
publi3 expenses.
This has been abundantly proven in
many of the states OF the Union, more
than three-fourthS of the territory OF
the United States to-day being free of
saloons, and more than content to so
remain. The state of Louisiana is be-
ing perpetually drained OF its surplus
wealth by a business which does not
create single dollar of value, but, on
the other hand, is one of the most pro.
life sources of inef1ciency, extrayag.
ance, political corruption, vice and
crime.
ut is conServatlyely estimated that
but for this menace to our civilization
and progress, the expense of maintain.
ing our state penal system, our hospi.
tails for the mental and physically az.
flicted, our INDECENT poor. and the alb
normal outlay for criminal expenses
aud policing our cities, might be reduc-
ed one-half. The conclusion is irreSi.
stible that the saloon and liquor traffic.
is in no sense an asset, but a positive
liability to the people Of Louisiana.
Third am irreyocably opposed to
increasing the rates of taxation upon
property. either for the purpose OF the
state, the parishes or municipalities,
believing that the present rate is sum
Gent to meet all necessary require
ments if property values are faithfully
and justly equalized throughout the
State, legitimate new sources of re-
venue utilized, and the funds arising
therefrom economically expended.
Such changes IN the tax laws should be
made as are required to equalize the
burden Of taxation. placing more of the
load upoa shoulders that are able to
bear It. and tightening the burden up
on the small property owner.
Four believe that the charitable
and eleemOsynarY institutions of the
state .shOuld be supported as literally
as the stats's finances viii permit. so
| that they may perform thoroughly and
capably the purpose for which they are
created.
"Fifth-Ststs aid for agricultural
| schools. so that the boys and young
men OF the State may be taught scienti'
&c and BETTER methods of thing the soil
and how to raise better stock, if neees-
Sary, and should be freely given, to the
end that by better farming. Louisiana S
! fertile soil may be made TO produce the
maximum wealth. The industrial
schools ought to be provided with
means to give textile training, that We
may stimulate here the growth OF
manufactures to care for our raw pro-
| ducts, a sure sources of acquiring the