The Donaldsonville chief., 1918-04-27

BOB" BRoUssARD,s CAREER.
Life and Service ofaLouisiana'.
Lamented Sena6sr.

.
Lamented Sena6sr.
RoberA Falvia lsBroussard, JUNO,
United sQbes septebr from this state
who died ~ his ..5me in New Iberis
on Esiday, April 10, 6ster pro.
j tracssd illness, was BOIL August II
1864, on his fathers stMarie Louise
plantation in Iberia parish, the son
of ]. D. Broussard and A. E. Con
soulin. He attended Georgetown
university, Washington, D. c., and
subsequently entered the United
States customs service at New Or
leans, filling the positions of inspec-
tor, assistant weigher and statistician
successfully from 1886 to 1898. He
pursued the study Of law during this
period and graduated from the law
department of Tulane University in
1889. Entering practice the same
year at New Iberia, he was twice
elected district attorney, resigning
that office to become. a representa-
tive in congress from the third dis
trict, to which place he was noni-
mated and elected in 1896, succeeding
| Congressman Andrew Price, deceased.
Mr.. Broussard was renominated
and reelected eigth successive times,
serving from the fifty-sixth to the
sixty-third congress, both inclusive,
covering period of eighteen years.
His last election, in 1912, occurred
after he had been nominated and
elected United States senator for the
term beginning March 4, 1915. Of
his senatorial campaign and his politi-
cal and official attitude and achieve
ments, the New Orleans Times
Picayune says:
"Mr. Broussard's campaign for
United States senator in 1911-12 was
an important chapter in the political
history Of Louisiana. When ]. =.
Sanders, then governor, declined
election to the senate to succeed the
late Senator McEnery, and Judge
Thornton became the Sanders candi-
date for the place with the under
standing that Governor Sanders
would be d candidate for the full
term, Mr.. Broussard went to Baton
Rouge and announced as candidate,
precipitating the memorable campaign
of 1912.
ssIn the meantime Congressman A.
P. Pujo, Of the seventh district, en-
tered the race for the senate and the
fight became a three-cornered contest
between Broussard Pujo and San-
ders. Even the Good Government
League organization which elected
Luther u. Hall to- the governorship in
a sensational campaign, did not OBJ
scure this remarkable senatorial
struggle.
ssMr. Broussard made q notable
campaign, visiting every section of
The state, and then descended on New
Orleans. He and his friends cap-'
tured the rank file of the voters
and WDn the ciEyE loussard poHed
such remarkable vote that, although
he did not obtain q maj jority, Gov.
Sanders, who ran second, Withdrew,
making second primary unneces-
|sary.
ssMr. Broussard was a loyal sup
porter Of Woodrow Wilson for the
presidential nomination in 1912 and
Sc was largely through his influence
that the vote Of Louisiana at the
Baltimore convention in 1872 was
split between Wilson and Clark and
on the deciding ballots swung to Will
son.
sIn congress Mr.. Broussard fire.
ouently voted with the Republicans on
tariff matters, and he was made
member Of the all important ways and
means committee of the house by
Speaker Cannon When the Demo-
Gratis got control Of the house and
Champ Clark became speaker, Mr..
Broussard was ousted from that COM
mittee and an attempt was made to
read him out of the Democratic party
hv o1sting him from the house DEM
ocratic caucus. This effort failed,
and Mr.. Broussard made a notable
speech in which he promised he would
be in congress years after those VINO
had fought him had been retired to
private life.
sTn the senate Mr.. Broussard's
principal piece Of legislation was the
enactment of the law permitting the
importation into certain southern
ports of cattle from tick-infected
countries of Central and South Amer
lea for immediate slaughter. This
law means much for New Orleans.
aHis indomitable will was evl-
denced in the matter of his illness, for
it has been a long fight during which
he did not lessen his activity or ne
elect the many important affairs IN
which he took a valuable part:
Mr.. Broussard was married Jan. IL,
1898, to. Miss Marrette Applegate OF
New Orleans, who survives him. The
couple had no children, but their
married life was very happy one.
Two brothers and two sisters also
survive the senator. The brothers
are Edwin L. Broussard of New
iberia, former district attorney, who
made the race for lieutenant gov
ernor with John M. Parker, in 1915,
and Albert Broussard, superintendent
tof the Joe jefferson estate at Avery
lIsland. The sisters are: Mrs. Blanche
Broussard Guilbeau, wife of Prof. T.
| L. Guilbeau, of the State University
faculty. Baton Rouge; Mrs. Marie
Louise Steck1er, wife of Richard P.
lStecklereeof the firm Of yIos. Steckler
Seed Co New Orleans.
There is nd gdssal legislation reg
lulating the ss'ayineS Of the national
anthem, but Come states have statutes
forbid{ Jag playing it as { apart OF g
medley.
Not our bit" but our best"
j5sS...-