The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1915-09-18
TO THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA:

MOSI OF tne programme outlined ny
the Democratic Good Government
League, in the year 1912, has been
written into the statutes of Louisiana
Great progress has resulted on many
lines.
There remains much of the evil of
invisible government; of rule by poll.
ticians, for their own perpetuation: OF
the shaping up of majorities, by hurl
ing armies of "patronage-fed" alpoin.
tees upon the voters at every precinct
all of which our people have sad
acquaintance with, under the name of
boss" or ring" rule.
Some of the most experienced men
in the state say there is no cure for
this disease, which, rooted in New
Orleans, checks, thwarts and cankers
the political progress of the entire
state. They either defend it by saying
that political reorganization" is always
necessary or they reconcile themselves
to it by saying that political necessity
will drive any governor to create a
ring" of his own, or to amalgamate
with the existing ring" for the sake
of power, or of ordinary administration.
The Democratic Good Government
League does not propose to rest until
it has seen the state cured of this
disease. We know it can be done. We
know that party Reorganization" can
exist without corrupt advantages; with
out putting unworthy men into Office
for the sake of the votes they can
hustle up" at the polls: and without
building up cliques and machines for
running New Orleans and the state.
We know that human nature is not so
poor and bankrupt-that political lead
ership in Louisiana is not so lame and
weak as to necessitate the formation
Of ring" by all those who as candi-
dates, have first promised to destroy
ring rule"
The Democratic Good Government
League considers the outlook most
favorable for waging campaign for
the destruction of that "ring" which
was bold and scheming enough to
arrogate to itself the writing Of the
constitution of Louisiana, by ruling out
of the convention all delegates in New
Orleans who did not have it's O. K,
and which by that arrogance and
scheming, carried the convention down
to defeat.
The convention was, In the opinion
of many "anti-ring" men, safeguarded
from the working of any ring" virus
into the constitution. The people Of
Louisiana thought otherwise, and their
decree against the convention, On that
ground, must be taken as a final SEN
tence of death against all those politi-
cal methods, institutions, maneuvers
and cliques which constitute the ward
boss" system of New Orleans.
| The city ring" with so many re-
sources, with so much ability, and
with so much to offer to the ambition
of the country leaders, is not easily
put to death. The way to do it, in our
opinion is for the people to call upon
all candidates for governor to state
specifically:
l. Whether they will make appoint
ments in New Orleans, or upon any
state or municipal board, upon the
Recommendation Of any, or ALL Of the
ward leaders of New Orleans, or of
friends intermediary of theirs.
2. Whether they will permit or en-
courage their appointees to make sub
appointments on the recommendation
of any, or all, of the ward leaders of
New Orleans, or of any friend or inter
mediary of theirs.
8. Whether they will advocate be-
fore the legislature an honest and
genuine civil service system that will
put the minor employees of New Or
leans, and of any and all boards con-
nected Herewith, out of politics, by
basing their appointment upon merit
and ability alone, regardless of politi-
cal activity or influence.
a. Whether they will advocate be-
fore the legislature an amendment to
the primary and general election laws
subjecting to removal any city or pub
lie board employee, who letters around
polling place at any election, or who
does any soliciting for votes on cleo
ton day, or who fails to remain at his
post of duty on election day, except
while he is voting.
Any candidate for governor who fails
to stand for the removal of the above
props to ward-bossism, or who, over
looking the greater evil of the suppress
sion of liberty, objects that any of the
foregoing measures will interfere with
the civil rights of the city employees,
IL \ Is