The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-03-15
THE STATE DEBT.

obstacle in the way ofthe schemes CO
of plunder concocted at the last b
session of the Legislature. The 81
first of the iniqt1itous bills present o
ed to the Auditor for payment has t
been refused on the ground that Il
the State debt has already been I
carried far beyond its Constitution
al limit.
It will be remembered that, at
the late election, by vote OF the
people, an article was added to the
Constitution prohibiting the IN
crease of the State debt beyond
S25, 100000 prior to the year lo9o.
It will also be remembered that'
Notwithstanding the Democratic
charge of the, enormity Of the State
debt, Governor Warmoth persist
ed in stating on the stump that 1t
was only twelve or fifteen millions
of dollars. The Radical legislators,
surprising they bad a margin OF at
least ten millions to go on, and be-
inc unwilling to leave any stealings
for a future Legislature, which
might be Democratic, pursued at
the last session, their usual plum
dering course, with zeal ana
alacrity which threw their prede-
cessors completely into the shade.
t But they have suddenly been
: brought to stand-still by Mr.. Au-
: ditor Graham. The auditor being
a a little mere inclined to ciphering
It than the governor, has figured up
v the State debt, aot to twelve OR ill
a teen or even twenty-five, but to
3 forty millions Of dollars. This is a
- revelation which has astounded
:. even the Democratic politicians,
h who have been clamoring about
the State debt ever since the Rad
icals came into power. The Audi
til tor thinks that every cent voted
lie away over and above $4,000 0OO
ne is unconstitutionally voted, ant
nc saws that he will not pay unit
p r. compelled to do so by the Courts
d. He also says that he is sustained IL
re his action by the opinion and ad
rs vice of the Governor himself. Bot
us these officials are, therefore, entltl
IN. ed to the thanks Of our people TO
their manly course, and should b
- sustained by every one who is II
~ terested in protecting the credit
ice our State.
we 1t now only needs an equal firm
he ness on the part of the Judiciar
ty. to enable the Executive to thwal
7e- the ruinous and corrupt legislatlo
of the other department OF the go'
- eminent. It is true there is a vic
ate field for quibbling on the questlo
ON There are many items of the del
t it which a pettifogger can decide
nb be no debt at all. But the Peep
on, will not be satisfied with guibblir
re- on so serious question. The
stands before them the make
Oh startling fact, that the State oW
ind $4,000, 900 which they must
the taxed to pay. They demand tn
ent the Courts interpose to decree tn
no the portion over the Constitution
ent limit, cannot be legally paid. L
vail Supreme Court has an opportu
ty to wipe away much of t
oc- odium which has attached to
lew Judiciary in common with
hree other departments of this Radio
'tal- government.
Oh IF it should be decided that
Constitutional limit has been rea
ed, and that no more wild a
reckless plundering schemes
fnd be consummated, future Radl
INES Legislatures will present an exec
gold. ingly interesting study to those
"a to a speculative turn of mind. WI
ne" one walks into the Legislature nj
and witnesses the noise, confus
q
,c+oa and turmoil of the black and wi
ely, Radicals Win the anxious io'
We of the cormorants of both coll
DIS to who crow the lobby, the ludicr
item view ofthe scene is entirely
troyed by the tragical reflect
that the people are plundered
o''s', their hard earnings to keep up
:m;s expensive circus. We can
e drown the reflection that c
70 scream of a corn-fieid niger v
with bill in his hand, calls for
attention of the sperksr, may
sup the people thousands of dol
'pe,'' But if there is now no more me
-, ~ to spend, the occupation Of r
~