The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-16

the people at large, and must cause many OF
the rejecting to seek out the cause, to witness
the startling fact that the public interests and
welfare are not regarded in the slightest de-
gree, etherin congress or the various State leg
islatures Those who are trusted by the peo-
pie with the honor and responsibility Of egis-
lating for the country, seem TO lose sight oil
their sacred trust as agents of the people, and
spend the time. which they are paid to devote
to the State, either in wireworking for party
leaders or endeavoring to consummate some
palry measure calculated to enhance the pri-
vate interests of particular friends. Our last
legislature did but little, ifanything, TO advance
the interests Of the State; and the present ses.
sion has been frittered away in petty quanels
among the dominant party over the U. States
senatorship and The apportionment bill The
necessary consequence will be, the crowding
into the few last days ofthe session, amid ''con-
fusion worse COMPOUNDED" all the business Of
general interest, and whatever may be accom-
plished will be 50 badly done that not one-half
will answer the purpose intended Congress
met early in December. and the senators and
representatives intrigued, harangued or SQUAD
bled until the 4th of March, without doing any
thing whatever to advance the interests of the
government. The cause Of all this is easily
explained. We have become SO radical in feel
ing and sentiment that each State and parish
as a general thing, must to CRAFTY the spirit Of
progress, or the party leaders, despatch to con
gress or the Legislature the most noisy and PHI
ant individuals that can be pitched on-men
who can make a great noise on the stump, and
who, at the same time, are equally prompt to
obey the behests Of the clique that secured for
them the nomination. The result of the sys-
tenn is demonstrated daily by the noisy broils,
wrangling, fstcuGs, and the like scenes which
disgrace our Iegislatiyes halls, and, we might
add, serve as libes on republican institutions
The interests and opinions of Legislators con
dict to such an extent that it is with difficulty
The party whippersin can induce a majority to
calmly investigate any measure brought before
them, and many members often vote against
their own convictions Of right to get rid Of
question, for which they have been mportuned
untilsdisgusted. Too much time is wasted on
mere local and personal bills, in which neither
the government nor the people at large have
the slightest interest. The slow progress of
Legislation also entails heavy pecuniary griev-
ance on the public. Thousands of dollars in
the individual States and millions in the fed
eral government, are annually spent to pay
small politicians to lounge about senate aud re-
preventative halls, and just to be in the way of
those who are capable and willing to do some
thing to benefit the country, if the oilers would .
permit them. Whenever the masses take dis
passionate view of the matter, they will force
thorough reform in the premises. If they en-
ertain any desire to perpetuate free govern
nent, or enc capable Of commanding respect
rom the civilized nations Of the globe they
must SO curb their progressive democracy as
0 effect total change in the class ofmen who
low almost exclusively Flour legislative halls,
Use the wheels Of government will become
ch&red by corrupliel and corroded
With demagougism, while the people them
elves will lose al confidence in the republic it.
elf. This reform must be effected before we
an again boast Of wise or efficient legislation.
he utter unftness and ncompetency of the {
reat mass ofour national and state legislators I
as been remarked upon by the newspapers
II number Of years past, but 10 sure remedy !
as been offered for the cure Of the evil. $
A few months ago we published statement !
lken from the Washington Star, to the effect =
lat tie supreme court Of The United States 2
ad decided that no taxes could be levied or ;
elected on lands purchased oftbc general gov T
nmcnts previous TO the confirmation and is u
lance Of the patent The subject was brought u
the attention Of Mr. Howerton, assessor Of :
addo parish, who addressed the general land 7
flee, Washington, for official information in Il
gard to the decision. The following answer =
as returned by the departments: I
" GENERAL LAND OFFcE-Sir [ have the q
'nor TO acknowledge The receipt Of your letter q
the 9Th inst and have to inform YOU that d
is Office is not aware of any decision by the d.
. S. supreme court OF the character to wSch =,
u allude; and in preference to the taxing Of
e lands sold by the United States it would be IL
lPossible for this Office 10 express an opinion, Pl
ID must, therefore, refer You to the local ST
liberties. There is no specified date after
at of an entry upon which the patent therefor
issucd-thc issuing Of patents being govern be
by circumstances at the time existing. / am, in
=, very respectfully, your ob't seryt, b
THos. A. HENDRcKs, Commissioner"
l. Howertou, Esq, Assessors Office, Shreveport, ae
.Caddo parish, Louisiana" p
The McMIcEEN BEQUEsr TO C1NC1NNArr.- 4
me Of The relatives Of the late Charles Nc az
icken have been atlaw with the executors of Ie
5 estate, endeavoring to inyalidate his be- |
lest to The city Of Cincinnati, amounting II we u
member rightly, to $4,000 A decision !"
IS rendered BY judge Leavitt, Of the United r
ftes circuit court recently, in which he cited ~
: decision of the United States supreme court, SO
the Girard case, sustaining the capacity Of Pa
: city to receive the devise and the court ad 'e'