New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1915-06-19

led US with copy Of his letter t,
Governor Hall, which we subjoin
| New iberia. June Ia, 1915.
Gov -rnor l.. E. Hall, Baton Rouge, La.
Dear Governor: 1t is not improbabl,
that | shall no: have the opportunity O
discussing the question of your signins
The Primary law act, and | Therefore
w'ite concerning it. | note that you are
being solicited not to sign it,
The act as now drafted is not the,
which Mr.. Butler, Mr. Maumus and others
laborating with me believed AS neces-
sary to meet our conditions, but must
| confess that taken from q broader view
point, and as the basis for the organza-
ton of parties in this State, it will tend
to accomplish the end. | note that obiec-
ton is made that negroes will have oppor-
tunl'y to vote IN the same primary as
others. That is true only in those places
VIII re negroes v tie, and it presents the
81 me situation as occars at the general
election. The Burke DILL rs originally
drat'e safeguarded this situation. The
Democratic Pa ty under legal authorize
ton has adde one qualification to the
requirements for participating in prim,
ries, and that was the word "white."
The Republican Party has not adopted
that qualificatl If negro, for in
stance, had applied to vote in a primar,
he would have been given the same ticket
as others. but by the provisions of the act
he could have east hts ballot only in a
box set aside for that class of citizens ex-
cluded from par ieipatioD IN the primaries
OF one party end admitted in that of one
cr more of the others.
The primary law as now enacted wi |
not necessarily induce all of those who
voted the Progressive ticket to 90 into
Progressive Party, as it is very evident. Il
party nomination will be made by those
who have changed 'om their party affili-
afions; but i! does not lay the foundation
tor the organization of parties.
A protest came TO me from some Repun-
llcans who thought that it would int efere
with the organization of strong Repub-
lican Party. While am irreconcilably
opposed to the principles of the Republi-
can Party, we all must recognize that
there are large proportion of the people
of his State who believe in the principles
of that Party and who would join it if a
white Republican Party could be organ
ICED. Ii the eyes will be turned from the
offices in the Custom House to the princi-
pies If the Party, as was attempted by
Hon. Henry N. Pbarr and others, and the
Republican Party were to adopt the same
qualification as the Democratic Party,
there would then be two white parties in
this State. True, the Nat o lal organiza
ton might not give them the offices, but
the party is not organic fer the purpose
OF getting Custom Honse officer; and the
SELF ction of Congressm' n, if they are able
to attain that end. is Of more Importance
to them; and certainly the basis upon
which they can best organize the party
Ny purpose in making these comments
is that do not know the sources of tb
various objections which are being urged
upon you. but am simply making refer
ence to the principal issues as l have
heard them discussed and to Offset some
comments which notice in the Press APP
oarentIy eman' ting from me, but the first
Information of which received in reading
ts columns.
Of course, it is evident that another
lass OF persons may have an interest in
'v"ldIrg party alignment, and it is those
tho think little of party organization and
would not be adverse in the next guber-
'atorial fight to select some candidate
Vho IN some contests is clothed with
'emocratic garment. and in National is
ues an iat's actively or otherwise with
ne opponents of the Democratic Party.
such there be with gnbernatorial aspi-
ations, he or they may readily look with
avor upon anything which would enable
on-Democratic voters to throw the weight
their unrestricted influence in imposing
pom the Democratic Party psuedo Dem
Graf for high place. Of course, the in
crest which anfi-Democrats would have ]
the election of such Governor would >
in the notification of his influence in
ehaif of the Democratic Party in Con- !,
ressional campaigns.
-O-