New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-24
DEBATES OF THE SENATE.

ER!DA1, CduudIN ~, 1911
DEBATE On THE APPoRTIONMENT BILL con-
TINCED.
MI. Pierce: have been informed by the
United States Marshal that if injustice has
been done to any part of the State in the
returns Of the last census, it must certainly
be New Orleans. He says that he was com
PEELED to take the census in this city in the
midst of the summer, when large portion
of the population was absent in the country.
As said yesterday. the population of the
Tenth Ward of this city is Is, l6l, and that
Of the Eleventh waxd 1886, making COM
bined population of 33,737. Now, it is pro-
posed in the substitute offered by the Sell
atOr from St. James to form the Tenth
Representative District out of those two
wards, and to allow them only one Senator
Under that appOrtionment, there would be
over thirteen thousand inhabitants in those
two wards not represented in the Senate.
propose to amend the substitute by form
ing one Senatorial District out Of the Tenth
Fourteenth wards of the city of
New Orleans, that district to be repre-
scented by two Senators. Even under that
arrangement, there would be over four
thousand inhabitants in those five wards
which we would have to throw in in making
the appOrtiOnment for the balance Of the
State. think that this is due to the people
IS.
sent thirty-fOur thousand people on this floor
because 40 not feel myself able to do so.
That district, l am proud to say, is the
finest and richest in the State of Louisiana,
and think it should be represented on this
floor by two Senators. The constitution is
plain on this point. 1t says that We shall
make the appOrtiOnment according to the
census of 1870, and, although that census
may be inaccurate in many respects, hold
hot IL, icia fnr II n n
upon. The adoption Of this substitute
would be gross injustice to the people of
the CITY of New Orleans, whom it is at
tempted to detraud Of their just represen
tatiOn.
Mr.. Todd here made some remarks, which,
owing to the distance and the noise in the
Senate room, did not reach the ears of TIE
reporter.
Mr.. Pierce: do 10 not like to be con-
tinually rising in my seat and making little
speeches. 1t strikes me though, that we
are legislating for the community at large,
and not for private individuals. The Sena-
tor from Jefferson speaks of "Smi;n and y
as if We were going to legislate Tor their
special benefit. came here to legi>iate for
the people, and while ar here shall de-
fend the rights of my constituents. If we
are going to legislate fer individual Soma
tors, let us call the name Of each one and do
what he thinks best for his personal adyan-
tage. Now, ask what are yen going to do
with the large number of inhabitants in
those two wards after the number that is
entitled to he represented by one Senator is
Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth wards
to that District, and that it then he repre-
scented by two Senators. Even then there
would he over four thousand people left
without Representations; but l think they
are willing to throw that many in, although
they are not willing to throw fourteen thou
sand in.
Mr.. Ray: The Twelfth, Thirteenth and
Fourteenth wards of the city of New Or
leans belong to other Representative dis
tricts, composed Of those wards aud coun-
try parishes. -
them to country parishes. instead of joining
them with other wards of the city of New
Orleans, to which city they properly belong
believe thatI am right in in this matter,
although my views in regard to it do not
on the floor. l know that it will require
another day to make the change that suS-
gest in this bill; but, think it is a matter of
such Importance, that that short delay
should be granted.
Mr.. Smith: The gentleman does not
seem to be aware that that portion of the
city of New Orleans, which belonged orr
forced into this city under the lash, and
against the will of the people, nine-tenths
OF them being opposed to it. When that
anne XatiOn bill was passed, my colleague
and myself, upon the floor OF this Senate.
opposed it by every honorable means; and
now the gentleman comes here and says
that it ought to be represented with the
city of New Orleans. You have shown
them enough injustice already. and it is
time for you to let them alone. The gentle
man says that he wishes to see justice done.
That is just what want to see, too. want
to see justice done to my people. IprOpOse
that they shall not he joined to portion of
the city of New Orleans, for the purpose Of
forming Senatorial district Let them re-
main in the same district where they were
before, and arc now. and where they wish to
remain.
The amendment of Mr. Pierce was laid
on the table.
Mr.. COPELAND moved to strike out the
word 'twO" in line ITO OF the substitute,
and insert in its stead the word ''three."
On motion of Mr. Ray, the amendment
was laid on the table.
Mr.. Blackman moved to Istrike out the
word "twO," in line LIB, and insert the word
'sthree" instead, thereby giving the parish |
of Claiborne the right to elect three Repre- |
,entatiyes instead OF two; which amend |
ment, on motion OF Senator Ray, was laid |
On the table.
After certain amendments, offered by Sen
ators Futch and Anderson, were tabled, the
report was adopted. The Senate
hen went into executive session, and after
ward adjourned.
SATURDAY, January Il, 1871.
STATE SEMINARY AND DEAF, DUMB
NJ. /