Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-05-24
Political.

The Baton Rouge correspondent OF the
Point Coupte Echo, although opposed to our
journal in political principles, comedies with
us-or we coincide with HMM many things
which we see expressed in his communications
ard in this light we give the following para
graphs, which brings sober truths to light and
give expression to correct sentiment. The
peoplc of this State cannot be too often IN
formed Of the evils which pcrvade her political
atlaifs--tEcv cannot be too often aroused from
the seeming stupor, identical it appears with
this climate, and urged on 10 the ambition OF
her sister States, that those, who represent her,
shall be- the first men Of her State. Or Is it,
that there is too much wealth and sensual in
dulycncies in our city and villages, whereby
youth FORGET their high duty midst the encr-
va.ing temptations which soothe and seduce
them
We fully agree with the correspondent al
luded to, that the next Legislature will be one
of vast Importance to the State" Therefore
the great dcsidcratum in the forthcoming cleo
ton of selecting men for either branch of the
Legislature who are known for their talents
and high integrity, for :heir industry, and bust
ness capacities. We are assured that in the Pa
IRISH Convention of the Wing party, " Honesty,
Capacity and Fidelity will be kept saeredly in
view while selecting candidates for office-and
we are not SO bigotcl us to believe that any
other principle than this will animate the
breasts of four opponents: we will see if their
nominations are made from the supposed
strength of an individual, Cor the claims of his
~consanguinity) or for the high and elevated
standing which the community in which he
he lives, award him..
The first paragraph in the following, gives
an extraordinary statement, which we are not
sufficiently informed to endorse or refute. 1t
refers to the expenses Of the last Legislature:
The expenses ofthat memorable session amoun-
ted to lightweight Monsaua nine hundred and scr-
cnty-setrn dollars and IS ccnts, within a fraction OF
fifteen hundred dollars per day. And this expen-
diture of 100000, is not published In the acts OF
the Legislature, nor, is a minute made OF 1t IN the
journals. The people OF the State know nothing
Of it. During the long session o lsl6, which con-
tinued liz days, the expenses of the Legislature
amounted to $4,000, about $50 per day. Ii the
true cause, by which this crude mass of hurried
and ill digested laws, We're forced upon the State,
together with eXtravagant and unnecessary expen-
diture of the public money, were known, we
should probably find it to originate from the want
of experience and capacity OF the members who
composed that body. 1t is greatly to be %regetted,
that men of education, experience, and ability,
generally decline becoming candidates for the
Legislature. 1t is the self conceited and ignorant.
who are the most apt to push themselves before
the public for such Offices.
Our Senate was a very respectable body, COM
posed of men of intelli gence and experience, with
4 very few exceptions.
The exceptions in the House of Representatives
were per contra, very few men of intelligence and
experience. A majority of them appeared to be
young iiedselinss in law and physic; and were evil
IDENTIFY unacquainted with the spirit of laws, the
science Of political economy, OF the real wants and
of the State.
The next meeting of the Legislature will be
one of vast importance to the State. THERE'S !
much to be done, and much to be mdone. Our
system Of Internal Improvements will have to be
greatly modified. New laws relative TO our pub
lie lands will have to be passed. A new levee
system will have TO be adopted. The Corporation
laws altered, as also the public school system, and
the militia system altered or abolished.