New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1916-01-15
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.

ana OCinOCEallc voters W III StlcCC
those who are to be the party can
didates at the general election IN
April. From Governor to ward
officer. the choice is to be made,
and it behoOves the voter to see
TO it, that in every instance the
most efficient and best equipped
candidate be named for the po-
sItion to which he aspires so that
adequate and faithful service may
be expected from each when
elected.
insofar as the State officers are
concerned, Iberia s democracy is
agreed. and Col. Pleasant and
PorteuS Il. Burke are virtually de-
clared to be its choice tor the
leading Offices; but in Parochial
affairs the matter is not 50 easily
settled; opposition to the Sheriff.
the Assessor and the CITY Judge
has br0u ght forth activities on the
part Of the candidates which
grow apace as the time shortens
and awakens the lively interest Of
their partisans.
Heretofore. the Democratic
nomination was paramount to elcc-
ton and political activities ceased
with the nominating primaries.
This year. conditions are other
wise. and whoever secures the
nomination will be called upon to
combat the claims of Progress
sive opponent; claims which the
united Democracy Of iberia must
repudiate.
Deserted by its former dis
cipIcs. lettering and moribund,
this Progressive party now seeks
admittance to the Republican
ranks, and but few days ago
gave expression to this desire in
4 convention held by it's few re-
naming adhcrants. And yet, to
this very Party. personal interest
and the lust for Office impel some
to ask lis to join its ranks. to east
off our Democracy and become
affiliated with the Republican
party to which we of iberia are
indebted to all the political evils
which existed prior to 1884 and
which are Yet vivid in the memo
ries of many Of us. We are asked
to keep ont of the Democratic
Primary in order that we may
participate in the Progressive
Convention to be held few days
later. We are asked to refrain
from casting a vote for Porteus
r Burke for Lieutenant Cover
nor in order that we may contri-
bnte to the ambition of some one
to fill the office Of Sheriff or Clerk
o' Court, and incidently to help
secure for him the emoluments
thereof. We are asked to forego
our privilege of voting in the
Democratic primaries and to ex.
press our approval of Geo. Hen
derson and Gabi Leblanc in order
that inexperienced and untried
successors may be elected. All
this we are asked to do and moth
ing offered to US in exchange.
For the first time in many,
wears. iberia Parish has a candi-
date for State Office. Porteus r. /
Burke, than whom no man is more
deserving. seeks to serve his State
rs Lieutenant Governor. His life
amongst us here has been an open
book. Unselfish. kind and gen
erous, to a fault. he has ever been
willing to sacrifice himself for
the interest Of others. and with
his talents and ability has served
his native Parish and State when
ever and wherever called upon.
And yet. in spite of it all. and to
show our appreciation. we are
asked not to vote for him, but to
contribute our support to the
cause Of some ambitious one.
These requests we deplore. and
we ask all. and especially the
young men of iberia. not to be in
finenced by them. but to remain
steadfast in their allegiance to
the Democratic Party. To par
ticipate in it's Primaries and to
contribute by word and act to
every measure which will tend to
re-establishing Democratic su-
premacy in orr midst and crush
the efforts Of those who wish to ,,
a party which will be
absorbed hv the Republican party
II the next few years.