The American patriot., 1855-03-14
OLD ro6rEs Mar AT THEIR OWN

II In was Introduced, into the House last
Tuesday which, raised storm of excitement,
the like of which, perhaps. has never before
been Witnessed in the legislative hall. The
feature Of the bill which caused all the trouble
most .disgustingly odious from the spirit
which prompted it, and the contemplate end
sought to be effected-was proposition to
change the time of holding the municipal cleo
tons from the month Of March to that Of Sep
TENDER, right in the midst Of the epidemic
season. The hollow and fallacious reason as
signed for this change was to prevent, as it was
said illegal voting; as at this time the floating
population would be absent from the city. But
the real purpose sought to be effected was
purely party one, and as such fell under the
condemnation of all those lovers of good order
and justice, who are disposed to look to the
true. interest Of the State and not that of
party. 1t is known that large number of the
citizens Of New Orleans are absent in Septem-
Der, to escape the dangers Of the summer, and
as it was imagined that this class were UNI
friendly to the schemes of the Old Fogies for
Office the object of the bill was to cut them off
from the right of voting in the city elections.
Two thousand Of the most respectable citizens
of the city would thus be prohibited from vo-
ting and the disposal of the city Offices would
be given into the hands Of that class Of the
population which would remain in the city
during the summer, the major portion Of which
is not more respectable than they should be.
Against such an outrage as this bill would per-
petrate, the minority demonstrated until re-
monstfance was useless. The Old Fogies be-
lieving the measure would advance their party
ends, were deaf to all appeals made to them
not to do this great wrong, were determined to
use their advantage while they possessed the
power. After all other means of opposition
were exhausted, the minority, as last resort,
determined to use the only expedient in their
power to defeat the measure--to break the
quorum, and put stop to further business.
This was done much to the regret of those
who were engaged in it, and the only apology
that can be offered for such lawless course Of
proceeding will be found in plain statement
of the facts Of the as given in this article.
The second day the bill was called up again
and attempted to be thrust down the threats
Of the minority, when again the quorum was
broken. The institution Of the quorum per-
haps was never intended to be perverted in
this way, and the Old Fogies were loud in their
denunciations of the course pursued by the
minority. But they should bear in mind that
the precedent has been set by themselves, on
same means to defeat measures which they
conceived prejudicial to the interest of their
party and country. The end of legislation
should be to adapt itself to the circumstances
of the people, and not, by taking advantage Of
circumstances to deprive q portion Of those
rights which they may legally exercise.
The municipal elections held in March, all
have the privilege Of voting. both those who
remain in the city during the summer and
those who 60 away.
On the third day, when the majority saw
that they did not possess a majority in them
selves, and when they discovered the deter
mined opposition made by the minority-de-
termining to fight the bill to the last-the thing
was abandoned; and as the most courteous
manner Of disposine of the bill it was laid on
the table, with the private understanding that
it was not to be called up again. If "the end
ever did justify the MEANS" the minority will
be amply excused for the course pursued in
this affair. The precedent set is bad one,
and the affair is disgraceful to the Legislature
and to the State in every step of its history.
Both parties are culpable, and it is much to be
hoped that this affair will be blotted from the
memory Of all, and that such scenes will never
be enacted again in the legislative halls.