New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-28


nt.nus. Unless We change the course which
We nave pursued since the formation of our
ne~ constitution, and legislate more for the
peneht OF the people at large and less in
,lao interest OF private individuals, that
So"er which still exists in the people of the
,sa'e Will be exercised, and much, if
hot all, that we have done, will be erased
rom the statute books of the State: This
the danger which we have to encoun-
er' these are the signs which indicate
~ US as senators, as representatives Of the
"opte, ana as members Of the Republican
!aftv, that 1t ia time to repeal such laws
ma; IT Is time for us to manifest some interest
.he welfare OF the people of the State. and
Sendeavor by wise legislation to provide for
me payment of the floating debt, and for
ne payment OF the interest on the regular
oebt OF the State. There is an election to I've
heid IN 1872 when the people of the State
VIII be heard: when they will ask of every
senator on this floor an account of his ac-
Ions while representing them in the Senate
ana when they will approve or disaprove of
-ne record he has made for himself Unless
We change our course before that time ap-
hroaches nearer, we will be swept from our
positions by an overwhelming tide Of popl-
ar Indignation and disapproval. Let us
lear our decks for the battle: let us throw
"Herboard everything that will impede our
vigorous action when the fight comes on,
rom the condemnation which will be pro-
bounced upon us by the people for the pas
sage OF such infamous laws IA these. We
nave made mistakes; we are but human,
md are not guided by plenary inspira-
ION. AL men make mistakes; all parties
.om1nit errors: While our path has been
beset with difficulties, while we have met
with the opposition Of the intelligent and
-axpaying portion of the State in every
slep which we have taken in the process Of
-econstructing the State government, it
would he astonishing, it would be unnatural
I We had not committed errors. Passion
may have swayed us at times, the
path OF duty may have seemed dark and
ptscure; but to-day We occupy the vantage
ground. and can go back and undo the
past: we can now strike from the statute
books all those laws which have served the
purposes for which they were created, and
al those laws which never should have
oeen placed there. Let lis, "a wise men, as
men who owe their fealty to the people who
elected them, keep pace with the progress
Of the people and pass laws looking toward
retrenchment and reform. Let us do that
and then we can 20 before the people and
say here is our record; We have repealed
hose laws which we considered wrong and
we have retained those which we considered
right | hope that either tonight, or
-o-morrow, or some near day. re-
Wondering that We owe duty to the
State and TO the people we represent, that
will come here prepared to take definite
Lotion upon this important matter. Right
Iere the reform must begin: right here We
must show to the people of the State our
determination to remedy, ii possible, the
evils which now exist. Let us, then, come
together and take up this printing bill, or
some other bill of the same character. sec
t1or by section, and, without elimination or
denomination, go to work like men of in
telligence and candor, of sincerity and Of
truth, who desire nothing but the public
veal, and remedy this monstrous evil. Let
is work, ii you please, for the benefit OF
the Republican party, and Of the Repub-
lean press of the State; but, at the same
line. let us not work a serious injury 10
he people by taxing them unnecessarily for
heir support.
Mr. Pinchback: do not propose TO make
any speech on this question, because think
my distinguished colleague from Carroll
NJ. McMillenl has said all that can be said
Dor the subject. There was one point,
however. made by the honorable Senator
rom st. James Mr.. Hunsaker] which |
would like to call to the attention Of the
senate. He has stated with al! the gravity
the world. that he has not had time 10
read this bill, or to consider it properly. OF
IL the strange statements that he has made
-ince he has occupied a seat on the floor
o
lnarkable This bill was introduced at
me very beginning OF the present
SESSION. ] think it was either the first or
second bill that was presented--certainly
We had not been in session more thar two
pr three DAYS when it was introduced and
referred to the appropriate committee. That
'ommittee made a favorable report upon II.
nd il was made the special order for GER
ain day. Since that time it has been repeat
div postponed, and now. when the session
almost at an end another motion is made
y postpone it. One other remark, and
IN done 1t has been said by several Sena-
-4,rS that Senator Blackman wants 70 ger
lie credit of having this bill passed, and
hat they do not want it to be said that
Democrat managed to get the present OBJ
noxious printing law repealed. Such
emarks have been made 10 me n
conversation with these gentlemen.
would like to ask these gentlemen
low Senator Blackman can succeed in get
ing anything through when there are only
-4ven Democrats in the Senate. II they can
Snow me, by any mathematical process. that
seve,l can control twenty-nine OF the mem
t.ars Of this body. am willing that Senator
Backman should have the prestige OF
having repealed this law. hold that it can
not he repealed at this session, or any other
session when we have a large Republican
majority, except by Republican votes. Ii
mere was DtIuOCTdtlC III INC
General Assembly, Senator Blackman might
hen 60 before the people and claim that he
was the chief instrument in having this law
repealed. propose, however, to go further
han that ] intend to indorse. by my vote,
measure which looks to the benefit Of the
people, no matter whether it emanates
rom a Democrat or Republican. hold
that it is our duty to look above and be-
yond partisan prejudices while acting as
legislators on the floor of the Senate.
Iuliy concur in the sentiments expressed
nv the Senator from Carroll that all the
patronage that we can bestow should be
-ven 10 the Republican party and Repub-
lean press of the State. l would call the at
:antion of tie Senate to the fact that Sena-
ror B1ackman did not expect or want to
,lange that rule. He has acknowledged.
openly and frankly. that the patronage OF
tie state belongs to the party IN power.
That argument, in consequence admitting
that it was advanced in good faith) falls to
the ground | want it to be distinctly I'M
derstood that would favor this measure
" any other measure that looks to the pro
lection O, the taxpayers of the State, just
as strongly if it had been introduced by
senator Blackman. If, however. those
Senators will take the trouble to look at
me calendar they will find that this bill
was introduced by Senator Lewis, Repub-
lean. 1t was referred to committee I'M
questionably Republican,; and If the bill Is
eventually passed. it Will be by the votes OF
Republican Senators. l hope the Senate
VIII proceed to its consideration at once.
Mr. Lewis. 7 have very little to say on