New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-12-18
Important Resolutions.

Mr.. Coleman, one of the able Representatives
from Madison, submitted ON the 18th inst, in. the
House of Representatives of the State of louisiana
the following preamble and resolutions, which
were adopted:
Whereas, 1t is deemed to be the true policy of,
the cotton States, during the continuance of the
blockade, to diversity the labor heretofore en-
ployed IN the culture of cotton that little no
cotton will be produced next year, and that an
abundant supply of the necessaries of life may be
secured for the future; and , tnEF5
8 Whereas, 1t is deemed to be within the legfti-
mate powers OF the Legislature to discourage the
production OF one article and to encourage the
production OF another, when great public neces-
sity or public policy may require it, by system
OF checks and premiums; therefore, 4z
Resotued, That the Committee on Agriculture be
and 1t is hereby instructed to inquire into the ex-
pedlency ana propriety of preparing and present
ing oill Tor the purpose of checking the culture
| tinuance of the blockade, and of encouraging the
culture of all such articles as are necessary for the
support of life, and for the more petfect ndepend-
ence OF the people of the State and Confederate
States; by q judicons system of taxes upon cot,
ton and OF premiums upon, cereals and food of all
descriptions, and upon wool, leather and all mate
r!ais OF Clothing, and upon iron, lead and all mate
rails OF the munitions Of war, to have effect, pro-
vided the blockade be in force on the lst day of
April next.
In relation to the monopoly of salt and other
articles of absolute necessity, Mr.. Coleman offered
preamble and resolutions which were referred to
the Judiciary Committee
The preamble declares that it has been repre-
sented that combinations have been formed in the
State, to monopoize salt and other necessaries of
life, and essential for the we'll being of the army
and laboring classes. That in the critical position
| of our affairs, the persons who so combice in a
| scheme of speculation and extortion against the
success of our struggle for independence, by
monopoly OF salt, salt meats, munitions of war,
army and negro clothing, etc., etc. which are con-
traband OF the blockade, thereby rendering eff
cient said blockade, subject themselves to a well
grounded suspicion of hostility to the Confederate
| Government, and that it is an acknowledged
| right of Government to seize and eonfiscate the
property of alien enemies within its jurisdiction,
and also to seize their persons for examination.
| The first resolution authorizes the Governor to
seize such monopolized articles if 10 his Judgment
| they have been monopolized for the purposes set
| forth in the preamble by an alien or domestic
| enemy, and confscate them to public use.
| The second resolution authorizes the Governor
to seize the persons of those engaged in such
| nlonopolies, and have them examined. If ascer-
tanned to be enemies, then to confscate the prop
| erty and punish the individuals, and il friends
seduced by uere, ETC., to distribute the articles at
fair price for the benefit of the deluded owners.