New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-10-21
rHE pEnooRACY on MoNoPoL1Es.

l
of the State government, which, by the
way. is rather indefinite as to time, they
will find the following pledge staring
them in the face:
5. That all laws creating inonopolies. and
granting to individuals and Interpretations
exclusive rights and privileges, should be
repealed d. Democratic PLATFORM
This resolution was not composed by
Dick Taylor nor Duncan F. Kenner, for
though both of them are good Democrats,
they are too familiar with the doctrine OF
vested rights to suppose that they can
be disturbed in the possession Of the
New Canal. The fact that this valuable
franchise was conferred upon them by a
Democratic Legislature as q reward for the
services they rendered the Confederacy
may be of no special importance. At
least, we do not deem it sufficient to JUS
tify the wrong. It was done in 1856,
when the seedy followers Of Lee and JEFF
Davis had been discharged from the Con-
federate service, or captured 10y General
Grant and sent to their homes. The
South. they said, owed them a living,
and they were opposed to Reputation,
So the fat places and franchises of the
State were parceled out among the
leaders. We are all familiar with the
Grand distribution. Some were made
presidents of railroads, others of
banks and insurance companies jeff
Davis himself got only one of the latter
positions in little country town, while
others of lower rank, but with better
talent for looking after No. l, obtained
valuable prizes. There was an ample
field, and the season, though a short one,
was we'll improved. The State and city
governments, the Waterworks, the New
Canal, the jackson and the Opelousas and
the Carrollton railroads, the parish Off
GERS, and various enterprises of less i'm
portance presented openings for played
out patriotism, which were eagerly caught
up and put to good use.
The Republicans have reformed many
of the abuses. They have done
well. But the shrewd fellows who drew
the canal prize can not be 80 easily busted.
The Drainage Board hangs on pretty well,
but we will Dust them at last. The ''good
thing" fixed up for Bragg. Bosworth ct ID
genus on.,se, has been spoiled by the med
dlesome Republicans, who have undone
nearly al the work the patriotic, honest,
fair-dealing Democracy could accom-
plish during the short time they
rioted in the high places here.
We have, it IS true, a number of mo-
nopolies yet on hand, but they are not all
of them oppressive. They are generally
regarded as public conveniences, at least
For instance, the Gas Company furnishes
light at rates fixed by law. 1t is a mo-
nopoly, though, perhaps, necessity
The city railroad companies monopolize
the business Of carrying passengers on
certain streets, at fixed rates of fare.
These companies are not at all unpopular,
and we can hardly suppose the fierce
Democratic will attempt to interfere with
them when they become lords Of the Stu
ation--if ever. The Slaughterhouse
Company supplies US with all our
fresh meat, but there are too many
Democratic stockholders in that
concern to make it quite safe
for the Democrats to attack it. Old
Charles Morgan, of New York, enjoys
several monopolies, but we can not see
how he can be disturbed or interfered
with, except by establishing competition
in the manner already begun by the en-
terprising projectors of the Chattanooga
Railroad He owns the only steamship
line to Texas, the only railroad to the
western part of this State, the Pontchar-
train road, the line TO Mobile, and large
number of ''our oldest and best citizens
So that the Democracy will find it uphill
business attempting to repeal his fran
chises. The only monopoly that we are
aware of that is assailable is the Slaugb-
terhouse Company, and that is safe from
State legislation. For a monopoly legally
established becomes a vested right. The
law can not be repealed. and there is
little reason to suppose that the Demo
Gratis would reduce tho number of the
monopolies we now have, nearly all of
which were created by themselves, if they
had the power to do so.
On another occasion, we invited some
champion of Democracy to give us his
views upon this question in a historical
and legal point, but no one has yet ven
tured upon the dangerous ground The
resolution No. S, which we quote above,
was inserted for bombast, but was never
intended to supply the party with text
Tor either speeches or editorial articles.
The legal difficulties are insurmountable,
and, besides, the Democracy are great
promoters of monopolies when they are to
reap the benefits. We will go as far as
any one in opposing all laws creating any
manner of monopolies but we do not
want our statute books incumbered with
unconstitutional attempts to divest vested
rights, even though they are as odious as
the New Canal franchise.
FRANCE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTINUING
THE WAR.
It is said that Bismarck is ready to
mako peace. Why should he not be? Is