Evening journal., 1918-04-19
IN MEMoRIAM OF SENATOR BRoussARD.

THE death OF Senator Robert r. Broussard-"Cousin
Bob" as he was anectionateiy called by the French
element in Loulslana--is hard blow to the OF
tariff protection, and removes from the sphere Of
national politics statesman and q gentleman. The
Pelican State Will have TO comb itself assduously "a.
nnd OF equal ability to take the place Of the late
Senator from Louisiana Had the Senator lived in the
North he would have been Republican, but he be
Heved that such party label would have curtaed his
usefulness to his State in that might have insured his
defeat for election to the Federal legislature.
Broussard entered Congress in 1897 with the inaugu
ration Of President William Mckinley. lie thus had
opportunity to take part in the consideration Of the
Dneey tariff law which passed that year and which FOR
twelve years thereafter American industry chance
to develop unhampered by serious foreign competition
and It was due TO that development that American
industry has been able TO stand the terrific
strain Of today. Broussard OF the twenty
eight Southern members Of the House who voted for
that For years he had been employed in
the Custom House at New Orleans rising 10 the position
OF expert statlstican The technical knowledge thus
gained and his sympathy with the cause OF protection,
marked him a valuable to have the Ways and
Means Committee, to that committee he assigned
by Speaker Cannon March i6, 1909 He was the only
Democrat who sat with the committee in executive
session when the Payne law OF 1909 being drafted
and he rendered signal to the who had that
bill in charge He voted for the bill the floor Of
the House.
But his on the tariff had aroused the ire OF the
Democratic opposition, and when. through schism in
Republican ranks the Democrats into power and
later undertook the drafting Of the near-freerade law
Of 1919, operative they indulged in petty
Broussard dropped from the committee and given
an assignment TO the unlmportant committee
pendures IN the Department Of Justice. The Democrats
further In their persecution, and denied 10 this
representative OF the Third Congressional District Of
Louisiana tho opportunity to speak the Wilson
Underwood tariff law.
II have sought in vain said he May 1. 1913, ITO
get recognition which think ! entitled TO receive In
a Democratic house Failing in that want to express
my appreciation Of the courtesy extended to by the
leader Of the Republican party in ahordlng me op-
portunity to present the Of the constituency which
l represent"
Here was democracy for you. spelt by the Demo-
cratsl The state OF Louisiana should remember this
incident when Of its most stalwart champions Of
tho States greatest industry denied by its own
party the right to speak In Congress matter affect
ing The prosperity Of the State He voted against the
present law.
Broussard the nrst Senator Louisiana to be
elected under the direct primaries 1912 taking his seat
in i9i. He not for protection in spots lie was q
protection Demoera-"Amerca frst" last and all the
time Louisiana refuses 70 send TO the Senate brother
Republican the country will be fortunate get another
man able the lsmented cousin Bob"