St. Tammany Farmer

Blanchard at Mineral

Judge Blanchard delivered a very acceptable and conclusive address at the great mass meeting in Mineral, Sabine parish. There was an unusually large attendance and the day was occupied fully with addresses from various candidates. Blanchard received an ovation. His speech left little to be said. He showed conclusively that his acceptance of the primary plan was not due to the letter of General Jastremski, but that he had favored and put the primary plan in operation in his congressional district many years ago.

As to his support of the ward leaders, he declared that there was no "dicker," as had been hinted or charged by Jastremski, and he hoped and expected that the charge would not be repeated. Said he: "I will say for the ward leaders that no one of them made any proposition to me or my friends to come to my support in consideration of office bestowed. If any such proposition had been made, it would have been declined. In the event of my election as Governor, I intend to treat the ward leaders and their followers fairly and justly in the matter of patronage, just as I would any other set of Democrats of equal weight and influence in the party ranks."

As to the question of cutting down the appointing power of the Governor, the judge was quite explicit. His position in this respect meets the wishes of the people. In his opinion the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Register of the Land Office should be elected by the people. As to the appointive offices covered by the Constitution, the Judge calls upon the people to elect a General Assembly that will co-operate with the Governor in carrying out their wishes.