St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-07-03
To the Democratic Voters Of the
Parish Of St. Landry.

I take this method Of announcing myself as a candidate for the
Democratic nomination as a delegate to the CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION from the Parish of ST. Landry.
In making this announcement, I want to befrank with the peo-
Die Of this parish and to say to them that my candidacy is not in OPP
position to, but in advocacy Of the proposed Convention. II I be-
lieved no good could be accomplished by the writing of a new Con-
stitution, I would not offer myself as a candidate. II those who OPP
pose a new Constitution dominate the Convention, no doubt its work
will be a failure.
When the Convention bill was amended 50 as to give fair rep
resentauon to this Parish together with the other amendment
submitting the Constitution, when it shall be framed, to- the people
for their ratification or rejection as one Of your representatives in
the House I voted for the bill. 7 voted for it for these reasons
fst. Because { believed then, as I do now, that the time has
arrived when the BIG AND MIGHTY TAX DoDGING CoRPO-
lRATIONS should be made to pay their fair and just proportion of
the expenses of operating this government which protects them as
well as it does the other property owners Of this State do not see
any way Of making these corporations pay their share without
changing the Constitution, which provides q different method for as
sessing their property from the method pursued in assessing the
ordinary mans property.
I'd. Ihave an abiding faith and conviction in the honesty and
common sense of the great mass of my fellow citizens, and I felt sure
then, as I do now, that the citizens Of Louisiana have the manhood,
intelligence, energy and patriotism necessary to adopt a good Con
stitution, or to reject a bad one. For me to hold otherwise would be
tantamount to holding that the people of this State are not fit for
sef5government.
am satisfied that the great majority Of those who oppose the
Convention are as honest as are those who favor the Convention. a
great many think the time is not ripe for a Convention and that it
ought to be held at a later date; while others object to the Conven-
ton as a method Of changing the Constitutions. Still others oppose
because they are afraid that the people will not give the matter suf6-
Gent thought and permit themselves to be handled by the profes-
sional politician. But the LOUDEST OF THEM ALL, IHOUGH
LUCKILY THE FEWEsT IN NUMBER, ARE THE LACKFYs OF
THE TAx-DoDGING CORPORATIONS WHO ARE SEEKING TO
|BEFOG THE REAL ISSUE, SO AS TO DELAY THE DAY WHEN
THESE SELF SAME CORPORATIONS WILLBE MADE TO BEAR
THEIR JUST SHARE OF THE EXPENSES OF CONDUCTING
THE GOVERNMENT WHICH PROTECTS THEM IN THEIR PRO
PERTY RIGHTS AND CREDITS.
We may differ as to the proper time, we may differ as to the
methods, as honest men always do on matters only incidental, but
there is no difference of opinion on the main facts, and they are these;
Isl. That the great mass of the people, city and country, pay
as much in taxes as their earning capacity permits them to stand.
To further burden them would be nothing short 0f eFlmInat.
I'd That while other states and countries not near Sc rich as
Louisiana are pensioning mothers: the old and infrn, we find our
selves in that condition where not only our schools and hospitals but
the INSANE, DEAF AND DUMB THE BLIND AND THE LEPER
cry to US in vain for help.
These conditions are not NATURAL. They are ARTIFICIAL
CONDITIONS AND THE RESULT OF TRYING TO MAKE ONE
CLASS OF PROPERTY BEAR ALL THE BURDENS OF THE
GOVERNMENT. There is no reason or logic for Louisiana with her
rich mines of sulphur. salt, petroleum and gas; her vast forests OF
pine, cypress and hardwoods, her canals, mills and factories, to be
UNABLE TO HOLD UP HER HEAD AMONG the proud states of
this free Union and keep step IN the march OF progress.
Let the TAXDODGING CORPORATIONS be made to bear
their just share of the expenses OF operating this government and
every need of our established institutions will be met and 9 surplus
left sufficient to care for, in a manner BETTING his merits. the old
Confederate soldier who is to be with US only lew years longer. The
Convention certainly could do something for these old men who
made possible the white civilization in this southland of ours.
The issues are as clear as the MONDAY sun. No demagogue.
40 paid hirelipg OF the PLUNDERBUND, can mislead any person
who will take the trouble of giving three minutes thought TO the
matter. Democracy, as you and I understand IT, has always meant
EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES TO
NONE A tax system which permits or requires one class Of people
to pay more than their just share of the expenses of running the state
is not a DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM. THE PRESENT SYSTEM IN
LOUISIANA MAKES THE FARMER, CITY AND TOWN PROP
ERTY OWNER pay q greater proportion of the expenses OF the
government than the PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATIONS
Your property is assessed by an Assessor whose work IS sub
ect to review by the Police Jury ard Board Of Equalization. You,