New Orleans Republican., 1868-09-16

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Rouge than to summon the great number oi
witnesses that are required in this particu.
lar case to attend the Committee here. It
will do no injury to either party, but result
TO their good, and to the good OF the State,
by lesseDing the expense Of this Committee,
and therefore as member of that Commit
mittee am in favor of the resolution and
hope 1t may be adopted.
MIR. OHara: MIR. President, as regards the
question of economy, l believe the State
can save some expense that would result
from bringing the witnesses from Baton
Rouge to this city, by adopting this resolu-
tion. Mr.. Rsgan has been compelled to
bring his witnesses here and has been put
TO great deal of expense, and unless was
satisfied that by the passage. of this resolu-
tion justice would be done him, would be
unwilling to support it. know there is no
question but that the State will save good
deal Of money by the operation, and as re-
CARDS economy, it is great deal better to
pay the expenses of few men going to Ba-
ton Rouge than six or eight witnesses
coming and going. But don't think it is
doing Mr.. Ragan Justice. | don't think it
is giving him fair play. This is the only
reason why | shall oppose the resolution.
l therefore move that the resolution be post
poned until tomorrow.
The resolution was finally tabled.
House bill No. 81, an act removing the
seat OF justice of the parish of Carroll from
the town of Floyd and fixing it at the village
OF Elton, in said parish, on the Mississippi
river, was read.
Mr.. Ray: This bill, as passed by the House,
removes the seat Of justice in the parish OF
Carroll. 1t is a region of country that | am
tolerably well acquainted with and feel
inclined to support the bill from the know
ledge have of the country and the neces.
sity for 1t. During the war believe every
house OF consequence in the town of Floyd
was destroyed. The most of the population
IN Carroll parish lived along the Mississippi
river. There is swamp between the court
house and the Mississippi river that during
a great part OF the time when the river is
high has to be crossed in a boat l know
that many people living in that part of the
parish have desired that this change should
be made. | believe that the whole delega-
tion from that parish in both Houses are in
favor of this bill. Mr.. Lynch, who is alb
sent, recommended the removal of the seatof
Justice from where it is. | believe the meas
ure will meet the general approval of all
parties interested. The only objection
have heard urged is that it is located on
private property, and that it will be meahs
OF speculation to the persons who occupy
that property. That is no consideration
whatever. II it will be of general advan.
tage to the parish to have the change made,
such consideration should have no weight
with us whatever. | therefore move that
the bill be considered engrossed.
Mr.. Blackman: Mr.. President. this is a
bill introduced, as l understand, By mem
ber OF the Legislature, for the purpose of
removing the courthouse from the town of
Floyd, iu the parish of Carroll, and estab-
fishing the court house of that parish on the
plantation now owned and possessed by this
member of the Legislature, without ever
having consulted the interest OF the people
of the parlsh-w without ever having taken
the sense OF the people of the parish of Car
roll, as to whether the seat of Justice should
be removed or not. He wishes to place it
upon private property, all for the benefit of
one individual. l am not as a Senator
on this floor, and as g Representative of
the people of Louisiana rea ady to act upon
such proposition. II the people of Carroll
desire to remove their courthouse, and have
an additional tax put upon themselves to
build new parish buildings; if they desire
this to be done, then |. as a representative
of the people, am willing to support the
But know the condition of the
people of the parish. They are not only
impoverished by the war, but the overflow
has swept over that country for several
successive years since, and caused failure
of their crops, which has almost reduced
them to absolute and abiect poverty: so
that f. proposition Of this kind, at a time
like this, to remove the seat of Justice to
the premises of a private individual, to place
burdens upon the people who are
already SO impoverished, is a proposition
that can not support until have conviuc.
ing evidence that 1t is the wish OF the people.
And / will assert that to impose such bur
den upon them at such time, against their
will be piece of injustice upon
the part OF any Legislature that DOES 1t,
which is wholly ineXcusaJle. Have the Deo
pie of this parish been consulted in regard
to this measure? Where is the evidence
that they have? 1t has been the custom of
every term of the Legislature before this to
allow the people of parish to have vote
upon the question of changing the location
Of their seat OF justice before such change
could be made, and if such vote has shown
Il to be the desire of the people of the
parish that such change should be made
the Legislature has always made it accord
.ngly. If am satisfied by proper evidence
that it is the general wish of the people
interested that this change should be made
shall favor the bill, but without some pro.
per expression OF the general wish of the
people for such change, | shall oppose
the measure.
Mr., Coupland; Mr.. President, move that
his bill lay over subject to call, as the
Senator from Carroll is not here.
Mr.. Pollard: Mr. President, I would be
glad il the Senator was here, because then [
know there would be no trouble about it.
The gentleman who offered the bill, General
MeMlllen. it is true, as the Senator from
Claiborne says, that he drew up the bill,
but he drew 1t up in accordance with a let
ter and petition that he received from the
people. He was doing the business for the
people. should prefer that Senator Lynch
were here. would not like to do Injustice
to the people, but l understand that the
majority of the people of the parish desire
The removal of the county seat. The Off
GERS elected in that parish at the late cleo
ton dare not go to the courthouse to trans
act their business unless they have guards
with them. There are some old citizens
there that are opposed to it no doubt, but
they are very small portion. don't blame
them for opposing it, but the large mass of
the people are in favor of it. 1t is benefit
to the people, and we have right to iegis-
late for the benefit of the people. If did
not really and conscientiously believe that
would be doing right in voting for the
bill would not do it.
Mr.. Blaekman 3 / second the motion to Law
The bill ON the table subject to call.
Mr. Ray: Mr.. President, hope the bill
will not be postponed.
Mr.. Coupland: Fhai forgotten that Sena.
tor Pollard was here. 1 withdraw NV mo-
ton tospostponeg.
Mr. Day; At one time this courthouse
was upon the Mississippi river, and in order
that the convenience Of the people /.
might be met. q vote Of the people
was taken, and it was removed from
the river 20 Floyd. They have erected
a courthouse there at considerable expense.
and there has been no desire expressed for
the removal OF the county seat back to the
river at any point. don't doubt that the
member from thatparish in the other House
has received petition requesting it should
De removed. You know how easy il Il to
get these petitions up, signed by three or
Our, or q dozen persons, but they don't
,onstitute the taxpayers; and such thing