The American patriot., 1855-03-21
RFMovfNor THE CAPITOL.

Baton Rouge to the city Of New Orleans, has
been agihted in different sections of the State.
In our own parish the matter has not received
the attention due to its Importance, our citi-
zens manifesting but little interest in regard to
it. Near the close of the session bill passed
both Houses of the General Assembly to take
the sense Of the people on the subject of re-
mova. The manner in which this was done
we think is glaring violation Of our State
Constitution The Constitution prescribes two
modes by which the Capitol may be removed !;
one directly by the Legislature, which requires
three-fourth's vote of both Houses; the other.
indirectly by amending the Constitution. To
amend requires vote of two-thirds of both
Houses, and by such a vote alone can any pro-
position to alter or amend the Constitution be
submitted to the people The vote in this
case did not result in the constitutional ma
jority, as required in either of the above men
toned nodes; and to submit tho question to
the people without the requisite majority, is
clearly violation Of the organic law. Il al,
The high Office, as we understand it, of
the veto power vested in the executive, is
to protect the constitution against the en-.
croachments Of the Legislature and if ever
there was an instance which required its inter
position, this is the one. We do not wish to
be understood as opposing the removal of the
seat of Government to the city of New Or
leans, if the thing was done as it should be-.
On the contrary, we believe that New Orleans
should be the Capitol Of the State, both on the
grounds Of expediency and convenience to all
portions Of the State. But we do oppose this
continual vacillation Of the popular mind, fix
ing the Capitol now here, and now there, in
aocordance to the whim of some sudden ex-
citcment gotten up by some political agitator,
more for amusement than profit. We are op-
posed to the policy Of going to vast expense
making enormous outlays Of public money to
erect buildings and fixtures suitable for legis-
lative purposes, and then throw them to the
winds by removing the seat Of Government to
some other point where the same process of
buildings and expenditures are to be gone
through with again, thus unnecessarily in
creasing the already too heavy burthen of tax
alton. No State in the Union has been so
sorely afflicted with removing its seat of Go
vernment hither and thither as our own. Such
whms belong only to children, and are not
very comfortable commentaries on the ciiarac-
ter of our people. Even in the recollection of
a young man, our Capitol has changed its To-
calty three different times to three different
places. Now at New Orleans now at Donald
sonvillc, now at Baton Rouge, and now-we
know not where it will be next year. Verify,
one must devote his whole life to the study of
Geography to keep up with the Capitol of
Louisiana. 4e
A settled hostility to New Orleans as the
Capitol Of the State, contributed much to call
ing the Convention Of Forty-Five to frame
new Constitution, and in that instrument
clause was inserted to the effect that the seat
of Government should be removed at least
sixty miles from that city. This clause was
engrafted in e-organic law at this time that
it might be beyond the reach of the Legsla-
ture to return the Capitol to New Orleans It
was said that the city was not suitable for the
seat Of Government, inasmuch as that the local
interest was too strong not to bias the acton of
the Legislature and would control to some ex-
tent, the deliberations of that body. 1t was
also objected then that the city was unhealthy
on account of the fearful epidenlics which fire.
quenay decimated its population. If these
objections were good against the city then, they
have equal force now.
The objections which may be urged against
the city cannot avail against Baton Rouge
This city is Objectionable in nothing. 1t is
healthy, easily reached from every portion of
the State; the State buildings erected at cost
of six hundred thousand dollars, where it is Just
now completed; and why not let the Capitol
remain? If the seat of Government is re-
moved, an additional item of million of dol
lars will be added to the State expenditures, to
be raised by taxation, and all for what-that
the convenicnces and amusements of the city
may minister more abundantly to the pleasures
of the members and officers of State, while in
the discharge of their duties.
We do not believe that there is room for a
deal Of astonishment by the people, at the ap-
parent disposition Of the majority of the men,
bers of the General Assembly to remove the
seat of Government from Baton Rouge to New
Orleans, and we think that disposition springs
almost entirely from want of proper arrange
mcnts for the personal comfort of the members
and other officers of State who are compelled
to remain in Baton Rouge during the sessions
Of the Legislature.
Just think of it? The Capitol Of the State
Of Louisiana cannot afford but one establish