The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-03-17
PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES
HAVE LARGE AUDIENCE
Packed House Greeted inc. M. Fark-
eT and Edwin BT0uSSard at the
Auditorium Saturday Night.

A great part of the population of
Welsh and many visitors from Jennings
Roanoke, Lake Charles and other
neighb0ring towns made up the audi
ence at the Auditorium last Saturday
night which greeted The great triple
attraction featuring Jno. NJ. Parker as
independent progressive candidate for
governor and Edwin BrouSSard as
candidate for Lieutenant Governor on
the same ticket.
The audience was composed of Parker
supporters who sought the true light
as reflected from the source of its poll
tical derivation; solid democrats, who
were inqulSitive though SkeptiCal; little
children who came solely to see the
motion picture part or the triple at
traction and were impatient that they
should have to sit through so much talk
waiting for the film idols to appear on
the screen; and lastly mothers who
came along rather than spend Saturday
evening at home alone.
With the candidates on the roStrum
when the curtain lifted were MeSSrS.
W. E. Byerly, Lucien Corbello, Jno.
NarranS, Dolce Bourgeois, Dan Does.
cher, ChaS. Todd, j. NJ Barnett, A. 7.
Jones, Jules Todd, Nj. L. FarloW, ChaS.
c. Carr, E. D. Lewis and ChaS. F. Buck
Jr. who had journeyed hither a.purpoSe
to be present at this great meeting.
Mr.. ChaS. E. Carr called the meeting
to order leaving to the Hon. ChaS. F.
Buck Jr. the distinguished honor of in.
Producing the speakers.
Mr.. Buck stated that he had his
views but would leave the discussion
Of the political situation to the Candi.
dates, introducing first, Edwin NJ.
BrouSSard of New Iberia, brother Of
cousin Bob" the progressive Candi.
date for Lieutenant governor.
Mr.. BrouSSard addressed the audi
enCe in French and from the look of
intelligence and the smiles OF approval
which pervaded the countenance of
many of the purely English speaking
people present we take it for granted
they were thoroughly convinced of MIR.
BrouSSard'S sincerely and honesty of
purpose and pleased with his manner
and oratory, but he failed to draw any
notable applause from the French
speaking people.
Closing his remarks in English Mr..
BrouSSard made one potent statement
which carried conviction to the heart
of every one OF his hearers, democrats
included. He said Neither Mr.. Parker
or himself had made any pre- election
promises" Their platform should be
easily followed IF they were eleC led,
which, of course remains for the voters
TO decide.
In opening his address Mr.. Parker
stated that he had hoped to meet his
opponent in Joint debate before d
Welsh audience, abhOring the assertion,
which he limited originated in this sec
ton, that his opponent would draw the
crowd, giving him the advantage Of
large hearing.
He advocated an early constitutional
convention claiming that the present
constitution was entirely inadequate,
and in this connection he took occasion
to administer to the legal profession Of
the state d terrible drubbing. GRAB
bing them by the nape of the neck he
shook from them their glamor, stripped
them of their glory, gouged them, ard
left them thus torn and bleeding at the
mercy of a constitution which plain
business men would draft-pure, sweet,
and so simple that school boy could
interpret it's every clause.
Mr.. Parker also advocated the aboli-
ton Of the primaries, time honored
system which he claims is farCial. His
views on the land law and stock loan
systems took very we'll with the entire
audience, and in that position he found
himself striking harmonious chord.
Mr.. Parker eliminated portion Of
his usual address, having of course a
few remarks to make about BOSS"
Bob. Ewing, He is credited with bit
terly attacking his opponents and the
pink ticket system in an address in FL
tou Saturday morning. He remarked
that when-not if, but when he was
elected he would devote all of his time
to farming. Probably so.
We take serious exception to one OF
Mr.. Parker'S salient remarks, lie, that
there were but two newspapers in the