The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-02-21

all the roads, schools and drainage
that was needed to make our state
the most highly improved of any of
the Union. But, today, if we want
drainage, schools, roads or agrlcul-
tural colleges or the improvement Of
our natural waterways, what must we
dot Tax the very homes in which we
live, while individuals are enjoying
the BENEFITS that should rightfully
belong to every citizen of the state.
Had the board of directors (legls-
lature1 devised ways and means for
the using of these assets for the benz
eft OF the state, instead Of passing
laws that made it possible for private
individuals to purchase them for q
mere trifle, and use them for their
personal benefits, it certainly, IN my
opinion, would have been much bet
ter for the stockholders (the men,
women and childrenl Of the great
state of Louisiana. II we want these
natural resources conserved and used
for the benefit Of the people, we must
elect men on this board of directors
who have such ideas, and not only
ideas but have the ability and will
power to put those ideas into effect.
The principles for which | stand and
shall act upon If elected a member of
that board Of directors are:
First stand for the constitution
al convention, for which men shall be
selected with ability to write con-
stitution which is conservative enough
to protect every interest as well as
every individual Of the state, as wei
as to have elasticity enough to permit
i the legitimate improvements and de-
velopnent of the natural resources
Of the state.
Second--That the natural resour-
ees Of the state shall be conserved
and used to the very best of the adj
yantages of the people Of the state,
and, too, as far as possible, apply the
proceeds from such resources to make
4 the necessary improvements of the
state and to tax the people as little as
possible.
Third-That / stand for a school
system in Louisiana that will give ev-
cry boy and girl of our state an equal
chance with the boys and girls OF
other states.
FOURTH stand for a drainage
system that viii properly drain our
lands, so that we can not only produce
crops, but can gather and market
them as well.
Fifth stand for highway de-
partment that will give us system
of standard roads throughout the
state. This to be taken entirely out
of politics and to be handled with
tnen Of experience and ability.
We have today a highway depart
ment Of the state, but instead Of pc.
ing a highway Of department It IS
bill Of expense. I am not finding any
fault with the men who are N TINS
department today, but It appears e
me as though It is not the fault o.
the men but the fault Of the legisla
lture, which did not provide anytime
but highway department. II y llkt
hiring a high-priced carpenter, witt
high-priced assistants, and tellfHf
him to erect and build fine building
for you without tools or materla
with which to accomplish the work
Hence, instead Of US today having
highway department, we simply havs
highway bill Of expense. The mex
session Of the legislature must estab
lish. in my opinion, a high
way department properly equIpp
ed with men and financed 50 that W
! can lay out a system Of roads an
constructs them, as they are doing Z
! other ssates.
Seth4 stand for agrleulusxal sol