New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-02-07

speak of the money taken from it as war DEBT.
Even if taken for war purposes, Of which he had
no evidence it made no difference for in no sense
could it be regarded as war debt, the payment
Of which was interdicted.
Mr.. Scanlan was in favor Of the BILL as it came
from the committee, as it proposed to do that
which it was the duty of the State to do to return
the money which had been temporarily diverted
from the specific use for which it had been
donated.
Mr.. Head defended his amendment, and vindi.
Gated his purpose as correct. The Swamp Land
or Levee Fand, was not the creation of general
tax, but fund in the benefits Of which the State
at large had 10 interest. 1t was not for instance
lilse the school fund, for the benefit of all, and
moneys taken from which, for other purposes,
could properly be restored by general taxation,
but It was fund exclusively for the benefit of
lands-subject to overflow, one in which the inter-
est was-special and local. The money taken from
it he knew to have been taken for war purposes,
and the State had more right to pay it than if
it was dae to Mississippi
Mr.. stalel moved today all the amendments on
the table,. and the motion prevailed.
Mr.. snider moved to strike out the figures indi-
eating the sum to be paid, and insert such words
as would provide for the return Of the exact sum
taken from the fund.
Mr.. Williamson, supposing the amendment was
proposed in the belief that the amount taken from
the fund was' less than the sum proposed to be
returned asked the Chairman of the Finance Com
mittee to infornsthe House on that point.
Mr.. Walker said the amount taken was over six
hundred thousandd dollars.
Mr.. Tucker had another objeetion to the amend
ment, that the Treasurer might re gard the ebiga-
ton as war debt, and think it his duty to refuse
to turn the moneyove Mr.. T. wanted the sum
specified, and the bill to be specifically mandatory
upon the Treasurer. The money was needed in
fund, without any possible contingency ola failure
to return it.
Mr.. Snider withdrew the amendment.
Mr.. Kent was opposed to the measure, as pay
ing part of the war debt the State had contracted
as doing that indirectly which could not be done
directly. 1t was not taking from one pocket to
put into another. 1t was taxing the whole people
of the State to compensate the loss part of the
people suffered by war expenditure.
Mr.. Elan (Mr. DeLabarre in the Chair) took the
floor in favor of the bill Whether the money was
used for war purposes or not, whether taken ls-
gay or Illegally, the obligation of the State to
restore it was the same. The fund was dona-
ton from the general government for parteu-
lar purpose and whatever sums had been diverted
| from it should be restored.
| Mr.. Walker said the Finance Committee had
drawn up the bill with view to obviate the objee
tons which had been made to it, in connection
with the idea of a war debt, or the idea of gen
eral taxation for one of the sections provided that
so soon as the five hundred thousand dollars pro
posed to be returned should be realized from the
| roy L,,ilI
levees, the amount would be paid back.
| Mr.. Head repeated that whenever it was deter
mined to pay all war debts, he would pay this
but he would not consent to pay one debt whils
others were repudiated
Mr.. Halsey urged that if the objection to th'
measure as payment of a war debt sprung from al
apprehension that it might be regarded as contu
| macious or rebelous, such, an apprehension wa
very erroneous, for, since the fund had been do
mated by the Federal government for particula
purpose, the diversion of it from that purpose
and not the restoration, would, be continuation
and rebelous.
| Mr.. Williamson, as representative of part 0
the State which was high and dry and needed M
drainage fund, as might be supposed, had invests
gated this question with more than ordinary cir
cumspection, and the result of that investigation
was that all the objections which presented them
selves prirna faoae had,been obviate, and he re
garded it his duty to advocate the bill, because il
would be outrageously unjust in those living OF
the upands to refuse to pay a debt justly due t.
those on the swamp lands, whose fund had beel
used by the State He did not know for what pus
pose the money had been expended, nor did b
care for it did no. affect the legality or Justice
the measure under consideration. A misappso
priation of the money did not justify refusal Il
restore to those aor whose benefit it was donate
whatever was diverted, and the residents of tn
swamp lands should not be compelled to bear al
the loss of the misrepresentation.
The previous question having been ordered, th
bill was orderedto be- engrossed-yeas IS, nay
Is; and the raes having been suspended, the, bi
was passed and sent to the Senate.
THE CITY EaEcT1oN BILL--PoL1cE BILL. PASSED.
!, Mr.. Jonas having obtained leave, called up til
, substitute reported by the Committee on Amend
ments to the City Charter, for Mr.. Solomon's bill
providing a, police board for the city. Mr.. iona
, urged the immediate passage of the bill. He ha
understood, from authority he could not question
that the Executive hestated to sign the bill whic
lately passed the Assembly, providing for cit
, electiou.in New Orleans, until such law as ths
before the House was enacted.
Tho bill, which establishes police board, as d
rected by title 8, articles 1873 and 1874 of the Col
stitution of 1864, the members of which board ar
to ba appointed by the Governor, and Of which tn
n Mayor is one eD-oficio, was then takea up an
n passed witout discussion or amendmaat and sci
;. to the Senate.
MISCELLANEOUS.
nj Mr.. Williamson, from the Committee on Feder
e lRelatons, reported favorably, with verbal amen
ments Mr. Fcnners joint resolution, relating to Il
o sentiments and feelings of the people of LousiaI
e ltoward tie Federal government, and unfavorab
on Mr.. Thieneman's joint resolutions relative
l. the Imprisonment of Mr.. Davis, and exculpatiI
e him from the charge of treason.
ri Mr.. williamson presented bill to create
if Office of Commissioner of Emigration, which w
;, ordered to be referred to special committee,
is motion of Mr.. W.
o Mr.. Austin, from the Committee on Printing, l
ported fayorably, by substitute, MIR. Gates bill
|, amend the law defining the duties and fixing t
ia compensation of State Printer and both bills we
ordered to be printed and were made the spec
ID order for Thursday next at 10 O'Clock.
,e On motion of MIR. VOORHEES,, the bill to chan
the name of John Below and family was taken
a and concurred in
Id Mr.. Deporter introduced bill to establish
Or normal school for the State. Referred to the Co