The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-10-29
The Foul Record Of the Radical Party In
Louisiana.

The Clinton (La.) Patriot thus sums
up the wrongs and outrages of Radical
rule in Louisiana:
More than two years have elapsed
since the Constitution of 1865 was adopt
Ell, and the destinies of the State di-
rccted by the Radical party. During
this time what has that party done?
It has increased the State debt from
~ 900 900, to $l3, ,OOO, 600; and now pro-
poses, by an amendment to the Con-
stitution, to limit the State debt to
$25, 900 900, which sum it is presumed
it intends to incur, Judging it by its
past actions.
The Republicans have impaired the
value of real estate Mt forced sales, by
requiring farms to be sold in lots not
exceeding fifty acres.
BY their constitution they have dis
franchised many Of our best citizens,
not before punished by the Radical
Congress.
They have combined the offices of
Assessor and Tax Collector in one in
divislual, and refused to permit the
people to elect them.
They have impaired the credit Of the
| State, which before the war, stood
highest in tho markets of the world, to
| many per cent. discount.
They have passed n printing bill to
benefit Il few chosen fayOrites Mt cost
Of a million of dollars to the State Treas
ury, without any necessity therefor.
They have increased tho cost of liti-
CATION to such an extent in fees and
printing, rs to Glebar the poor man from
pursuing his rights julicially.
They have fOrce<l-as far as law could
force-upon an unwilling people, mixed
schools-to the great injury Of the cause
| of education to both races.
They have attempted to establish
social equality; and in their COnven-
ton, have pledged themselves to elect
candidates, who will pass, even over
the Governors veto, laws establishing
social equality.
They have imposed burllensOme and
unequal taxation, even taxing the corn
raised by the poor man for subsistence.
They have denied the right of indi-
| viduals to pursue their professions, and
by the passage Of the Slaughter House
and other Bills, created mOnopolies in
the hands of tho few to the injury Of
the many.
They did license public gambling,
and do now license II lottery, the great
est OF all gambling and Of all iniquity.
They have given away ofthe peoples
money, the sum of $3, ,OOO, 900 rs a gratu-
itious donation to the Chattanooga Rail-
road company.
They have ousted from seats, both In
the Legislature and Senate, represen.
tatives duly elected by the people, put
ting In their place men of their own
party, utterly incompetent, thus abro
eating the right Of election, and usurp.
ing the rights of the pcODle
They have created new Parishes, to
make now offices, for their favoritcs,
contrary to the wishes and against the
interests of the people.
They have changed the seat Of justice
in other Parishes, contrary to the will
of tho people and refused them the right
of expressing their wishes thereon.
They have created new courts, with
iniquitOus powers, without any neces-
sity therefor.
They have abrogated the most i'm
pOrtant features of the charter Of the
city Of New Orleans, and deprived them
of the exercise Of the vested right of
electing their officers, by the people,
| for no other reason rs is believed than
that the Radical party were in the mi
nOrity in that city.
They have conferred unhe.ard of DOW
ers ON the Governor, in the appoint
| mentS to Office.
They have placed in the hands of the
Governor, of the Registrar of Election,
and body Of five men, the power to
control all elections, and to set Mt naught
the will OF the people, as expressed al
the ballot-box.
They have increased the expenses O
elections, ten fold Of what they ought tC
be.
They have established uniformed
sums, when no necessity exists therefor
They have clothed the Governor by
the Constabulary bill, with absolute
power through his agents to control any
Parish.
They have given the Executive rs
great powers AS any Constitutional mon
arch.
They have given the tax collector ter
per cent. commission as his compens.s
tiOn, which is ten times as great ns ht
ought to receive.
They have failed to establish any
free public schools, although an abun
dance Of funds have been appropriated
for that purpose.
They have caused the laws contained
in the Civil Code, Code Of Practice ant
Revised Statutes, to be hurriedly re
vised, thus confusing them, and hat
them printed ut an enormous cost, in
manner that il shameful, and in which
many parts OF them cannot oven b,
} read.
They have passed laws recognizing
secret marriages, thus encouraging i'm