New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-07
GLASS LEGISLATION.

There can be no greater nor more insid-
ious foe to liberal form of government
and the rights of the people, than class
legislation; legislation that builds up the
few and makes them strong by comforting
upon them exclusive privileges. and
weakens the great body of the people ina
corresponding ratio. In this country
where representation is based upon the
total population of representative dis
trict, it is hard to conceive how men
elected by all classes can go to the halls
of legislation and pass laws that favor one
class and Expresses another. 1t Is true
that in the election OF our
lawmakers, choice has to be
made, and frequently the sue
cesstr,l candidates are chosen by bare
,naiorities, leaving the people divided in
the work of electing their representatives.
But while the majority determines the
choice of representatives, that portion OF
the people voting in the minority should
have none Of their rights impaired. The
fact that the people have been divided in
the choice of representatives is not to be
taken as proof that the persons chosen to
represent certain district may. i'll the
course of legislation. discriminate in favor
of one class or portion and against the
interest of others. Glass legislation was
one of the great evils of the mother
country when the American colonies
We're driven to declaration OF
independence. Ele people of this coun-
try were not disposed to submit to it then,
and there is no reason to believe they
have so far degenerated as to be ready to
ranounce at this time the grand principles
that were proclaimed in 1776. 1t is true
there may be some persons in this coun-
try who are so entirely selfish as to ask for
legislation that is incompatible with the
public interest. and laws may be passed.
through influences brought about by
them, that are injurious to the great body
of the people. but to say that it can
continue to be done after the peo-
Die have been made acquainted with
the fact and advised of the con-
! sequences is simply asserting that
| they no longer possess the power, based
upon virtue and intelligence, to protect
| themselves. 1t is true that distinguished
member of the national Congress. Hon.
G.. W. Julian, recently took occasion to
open a speech in the following very re-
,narkable words: ''11r. Speaker, nothing
is more remarkable than the growing ten
dency of legislation in this country to
lend itself to the service of capital, of
great corporations, of monopolles OF
every sort, while too often turn
ing an unfriendly eye upon the peo-
pie, and especially upon the laborins
poor" yet the very fact that he has spoken
out against it-and his words are quoted
| all over the country as a warning to the
people of the evil that is besettinS the
legislation of the country. and threaten
ing them-is living evidence that. there is
|
evil, and preserve in their purity the prin
ciples of our government The people,
all over this great country. will hold to
strict accountability the national repre-
seutatives who have assisted in the grow
ing tendency of legislation in this coun
try to lend itself to the service
of capital. Of great corporations, o
monopolies Of every sort. while too Otter
turning an unfriendly eye upon the
people, and especially upon the laborinG
poor" This is the very worst kind o
of class legislation. and when the people
have become thoroughly aroused to it.
pernicious consequences, the men who
have known the halls Of legislation, an(
assisted in the work. shall know them NJ
more. They can not confront the people
| with such a record and receive their SNf
trage for reelection; unless. indeed. VI
have fallen upon al evil period
period that ''breeds political cor
ruption in the most gigantic
and frightfm FORMS whets the appetit
for public plumber, and through the az
sresation of capital in the hands of tn
cunning and the INSCRIPTIONS. can hop
to overthrow the equal rights Of the peopl
and the we'll being Of society. There ar
but few, we will venture to say. who ar
prepared to assert that this is the Sal
condition of the American people at thi
time; and if it is not. there can be Il
doubt but that the virtuous and patriot
of the land will rise and correct the grow
ing tendency of legislation in this countr
to lend itself to the service Of capital an
all kinds of class legislation.