New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-03-17
HON. II. p. cHEW,s

} P NJ. to-day. . ,-.,., 80. qffs4-j
HON. Il. P. CHEWs
speech he Bno Regulate Parish Of
Mr.. PRESIDENT shall address myself to the dis |
,ussion of the provisions Of this BILL in the spirit
The literary anecdote revived by that monarch Of Eng
sh literature of his age Samnel Johnson, which must
be familiar to every cultivated mind before me-in
brief note to eminent cotemporary-" that ancient
lecturer was surely in the right, who, when he saw
bis audience retiring, refused to quit the stand while
Plato staid.' Let him who shall honor me with his
attention whilst shall make some observations on
this BILL consider himself the Plato Of this occasion
was sir, astonished at the severity of the remarks
which fell from the Senator from New Orleans, (lr
st. Paul) and at the immense strides which he took
in perambulating the entire extent of our vast cou
try, at the time getting the issues OF the late
Presidential election mixed up with the discussion Of
this bill As there was no relevancy in his remarks,
however eloquent, to the merits of this act shall de-
cline following him, and contine myself strictly to the
provisions of this bill. ,,,. ..'.,..... .ss '.g..s..
hold myself peculiarly qualified to discuss this
measure-though not native Of Louisiana, but born
in Kentucky, was in my earliest infancy transpanted
to her sunny cline, and grew to manhood on her soil
have kept myself familiary acquainted with the
passing events of the day in the deep solitude Of the
country, where it is my happiness toreside am ac
customed to pay yearly visit to the city OF New Or
leans, and always with pleasure at seeing the busy
tide Of commerce which rolls through the streets and
crowds her ample wharves with the boundless products
of half continent But if this act becomes law,
fear in my future visits should gloomy faces in
stead Of the smiling ones of todayin place OF the
pleasant recognition, when friend meets friend every
countenance would be oyerspread with the pallor
which marks the inhabitants of heleagured city.
beseech you not to disturb the happiness of the cit
of the commercial heart of State thus rudey
| have had but a few brief hours in which to con-
slider this bill, owing to the haste in which it is being
hurried through, the time altogether inadequate to
proper condensation Of my thoughts upon it, 1pro-
pose to give kind OF running commentary upon ev-
cry section Of the bill, from first to last. -.s
The very title of this act is startling to any
ber of the American party, who has had the honor,
or otherwise, to hold seat on either floor OF this
capitol, for the senses of such must by this
time be drugged to at the repetition of those
rending terms, thugs, assassns brass knucklers etc
The very title of this act starts these hobgoblins into
being, with which We are wont to be frightened.
Sec. 2 gravely provides the number of precincts to
be constituted. Now a disinterested party would
the conclusion that the local authorities were
better qualified to judge of this matter than the egis
nture; and would say, by all means, let them decide
the matter. -...- a.a .r. .u'
Sec. B. The absnrdty of this whole section is so
garng as to excite the greatest wonder. had al
ways supposed that the place where was to
vote was determined by convenience in respect to
residence but in this section the whimsical principle
is adopted of determining this point by the position
of the initial letter of his surname in the alphabet
1t has been said there is nothing under the SUM-
but that adage is falsifed in this case. The sug-
gester has just cause to be proud of his discovery
Sec. adumbrates the system contemplated by this
BILL Among the persona ges composing the Central
Board of Commissioners, little expected to find the
Attorney General of the State figuring. One would
think this high officer of the State might easily find
duties more congruous to the dignity of his official
position All little farther on in this section, find
two discreet citizens of the State are to be appointed
by the Governor. This would cOerce my opposition
to the bill had no other objection. The Executive
of the State has too much power already and we had
better withdraw flom than add to it.. | take issue
with the friends of this measure, this fundamental
principle that in order to preserve our liberties W.
4 must retain more power in the hands Of the people
! The people are, the primary source of all potica
power, is maxim which lies at the foundation of m,
| political philosophy.
Sec. 8. OF this Board, four out of five have beer
or will be appointedby the Governor, and good Demo
Gratis, as a matter of course. They would, no doubt
appoint majority of the commissioners ct each pre-
cnct from among the members of their party
Is there nothing that sqnnts of party in this? Blu
| this would be very unfair to the American party
which is in the ascendancy there and are fully en-
titled to all the benefits which the position affords
This section contravenes all the principles Which hav
| been hitherto recognized as belonging to party su
| premacy. ..r. ..,.
SEC. il. This is section which deals in dollars an,
cents in the way of expenses, and they are like
to he heavy in putting into motion this cumbrou
| machine it is probably u fortunate circumstance t.
that tax-oppressed people that there is no penalt
affixed in the authorities refuse to foot the bills
am far from obecting to this, for it is the cor
trary the only good feature | have met with yet il
the bill, but it is strong commentary on the hast
in which it has been gotten up and hurried throug
the stages Of legislation. sgg r. . 80 ,a.s
| SEC. l6. This contains On immense stride toward
| absolute power. Personal rencounters, from thou
sand various causes, may occur, and all of them ma
be classed attempts disturb the peace Of the city
to excite tumult riot, etc. The Superintendent o
any of his numberless chiefs subordinate deputies
may arrest the parties, under false accusations, an
ntiict upon them the merciess penalties of the bill
| How American treemen legislators could concoct sue
a stupendous engine of oppression, passes my poo
comprehension. The Autocrat of all the Russias, 0
the Sultan of Turkey, has not more absolute powe
over the liberties OF their subjects than this sectlo
confers the Superintendent or any OF his depl
ties. False accusations would be made and easil
sustained against any body and the penalties street.
enforced, which are in the last degree odious an
rigorous. It makes the blood run cold to read {
them. '" H ''t t' o. -I
SEC II. find the State Penitentiary dancin
throughout this section. | congratulate the prospee
i've lessee on the augmentation of operative fort
likely to result from the passage of this bill. wou
advise him to enlarge the accommodations (unoth
ceroon for instanCe.) double the supplies re-oil IL
machinery so as to be in readiness to realize heay
profits from the labors OF increased numbers As SUI
as this hill passes and is enforced will the number
admissions test the utmost capacity of that buildin
SEC. 10. The Governor again crosses the line
vision. 1t must startle every citizen to think no
rapidly all power is centering in his Excelency
hands l sincerely sympathze with him. speak
the officer, not the man. The increased responsible
ties we are heapng upon him must sooner or lat,
/ weigh him down. Ndsp Mr.. Superintendent has mao
his appearance, and let us usher him with becomn
honor upon the boards. The bill appears to me d
tectlve in that it does not prescribe aad furnish
uniform and other insignia OF office snledQ ms ran
But this he may be able to do himself with the lber
, allowance of something like $500 day. -Four chr
deputies, like satellites around central san, are
dance attendance to the Superintendent and TO con
l pose respectable corporars guard. ..-....s
| Sec. 81 allows all unlimited standing army, by II
consent of the Governor to be maintained any lengt
/ of time Was ever such project before begotten
I an American mind. This is the cnlaH--the calm
mating poat-this and the following section or tw
embrace the wide boundess powers conferred by tn
bill. 1t was conceived in fit of halucination,