The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-04-05

part of the majority In favor OF the Vihdlcatloh
of public rights and decency, against the mis-
deeds of mscreants or political bigots This
step was not, as has been falsely urged, re-
view on the part of the General Assembly of
the judicial proceedings in the suit between
the parties to the popular contest. The adj
dress did not vote one man ont ard put another
In; 1t merely set forth the notorious and unde-
niable fact that the election had been accom-
panied by violence, outrage, and bloodshed,
to such degree as to make 1t q nudity, and to
call upon the General Assembly as the grand
inquest Of the people of Louisiana, to denounce
such conduct in fitting terms, and prevent, so
fur as was in its power, the enjoyment Of any
benefit to result from it. The General Assem-
bly, correctly thought that any man who would
endeayor to profit by the acts of set of ruff
fans at one time, and the misdecds Of seven
jurymen OF another, as was the case Of Joseph
Hufty, WIS not q fit person to All any Office of
honor or responsibility, and he was therefore
addressed out Of Office.
The legislative work Of the SESSION will, we
think, be very fayorably viewed by the people.
Provision has been made not only for the pro-
lection Of exposed and wealthy portions Of the
State, by the construction Of levecs, but also
for the preservation Of works already begun,
in order to carry out the condition under which
the swamp lands were donated to the state by
Congress A beginning has also been made
towards the abolition Of the Usury laws, which
by almost universal consent, have hung like an
incubus upon the financial operations of the
planting and commercial classes, and it is
thought that at the next session all remaining
restrictions will be removed. A Registry law,
as provided for by the constitution, has also been
passed, not, we believe, with any expectation
on the part of those who supported it that it
will prove any more Acceptable or eilicacious,
on trial among us, than it has done elsewhere;
but in order to show those who clammored for
it and condemned the delay in the action of
the Legislature in carrying out the constitu-
tional provisions, that democratic majority
was willing to respect It as far as was practi-
cable.
The proposition to abolish that great and
crying evil, the Quarantine establishment, also
passed one branch with great unanimity, and
would most probably have succeeded in the
other but for want of time. 1t will 60 next
year certainly.
With regard to local matters, the new City
Charter and the law equalizing taxation crea-
ted much difference of opinion. 1t is, however
generally admitted that the postponcmcnt of
the municipal elections until period which
will secure the selection OF our local government
by the bona fde and permanent citizens, will
work well for our interests, and that the regu-
latons regarding taxation and assessment, WILL
on examination, be deemed acceptable to all
The most important subjects of u general
remaining which demand early lcgis-
latiye attention. are those of the law of com
munity, the tacit mortgage system, and that
of forced heirshp The first two Of them
should be abolished or very much modified;
but so ramified are the interests involved, and
so perplcyng the details of any new policy to
be adopted in their stead, without inllicting
needless injury upon parties such as married
women and minor children who have acquired
rights and privileges under them, that all agree
that action with regard to them should be ta-
ken with great caution and deliberation We
indulge the belief that the more intelligent
and public spirited gentlemen, on either politi-
cal side, will devote oil their disposablc leisure
during the recess to these important matters,
and that the next session will not come to a
close without, at least, somemodfying lcgisla
ton being adopted, with q view to the ultimate
repeal of the entire systems.
As far as the law of heirship, it seems to us
that it offers no difficulties whatever to cor
rect solution. 1t is wrong, as we conceive it,
morally, socially and politically. 1t encumbcrs
the transfer of property to an extent that il
very severely felt by all concerned, and has, We
doubt not seriously impaired the growth and
Prosperity Of the agricultural interests of the