The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-12-13
ADDRESS
THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA,


trail Committee of the Democratic party
of Louisiana was cOnvOked at New Or
leans, on the twenty second of Novcm-
her instant: The meeting was largely
attended hy delegates from all portions
of the State.
The committee has anxionsly and
patiently considered the attitude of
parties in this State with reference to
the Reform Movement. They have
unanimously agreed that the para
mount issue OF the day is he retlemp-
ton of Louisiana from misrnle and mis-
government, and that, to achieve that
purpose, it is necessary to maintain the
of the Democratic orgauiza-
ton, stunning all political alliances
with either wing OF the ruling party of
Louisiana.
The Democratic party is not rcspon-
sihle for the maladninist:atiun ot uul
State government, and, to-i'ay, it is as
deserving of public confidence as it
was in tie memorable canvass of 1868.
When it succumbrd under the recon-
struction measures of Congress, it left
the pablo finances in healthy condi-
ton, without having lesolted to bur.
densome taxation. The patty in power
is alone responsible for the increase of
taxation beyord all precedent and the
threcfold Increase of the State debt, re-
sulting mainly from venality anal
speculation. and evidently tending to
the eventual coniiscation of the proper
ty ofan impov,r ished people.
To illustrate the extent of our fnan-
cial cmbarrassmcnts, and the urgent
need of reform. consider that the anna
al interest, alone. OH the bonded debt
of the State exceeds the sum OF one
million dollars. Under the existing
revenue laws, fifteen per cent of the
amount of texes collected will barely
cover the expense necessary tn place it
in the vaults of the treasury. The
constantly decreasing value of proper
ty; the increasing deficit in receipts,
| compared with current expenses; the.
annual payment of this enormous in
terest accnnn, I; the impaired credit Of
the tate; the incompetence Of our ii :
aancial agents, together with the de-
pressed condition of trade and the nm
favorable ASPECT Of our agricultural in
terests-present t" The intelligent and
thoughtful financial prospect calcula-
ted to arouse the most serious appre-
tensions, and to stimulate the most
apathetic to earnest and persistent ac-
ton.
The very warrants of the State, not
wiil,>tan,!ing the heavy taxes wrnne
from the people, are hawked about the
streets at fifty cents Oh the dollar, us il
possibly the State was on the verge nj
bankruptcy And repudiation-t Il {
very idea of which was once SD repul
sive-has became Il familiar word Will
"A people whose credit and good faith
were provelbal under Democratic adj
ministtation.
i Under these circumstances, any pro
position to disband the only party ex
t;,nt; actively engaged in battlin.
against the representation of sucl, sys
tematic corruption, is ill-timed ant
franght with danger. The aim of oul
adversarIes is to confuse and disin
tegrate the conservative element
which make the strength of the Demo
cratic party, whose aspirations are 70,
an honest and economical administra
ton of the government. With thi
view twin factions, as bid for publi,
favor, propose, at this late hour, to re
peal, amend or modify some OF the law
which weigh so heavily on the bod.
polite. How sincere they are in thes,
new pretensions, time will reveal bu:
without doubt-and they are consciou
of it-they would benefit by disrnp
ton of the Democratic party and b.
the inevitable confusion and weakness
resulting from a transition to third o
Reform Party, still in tho wont G
time.
The Democratic party is now, a
heretofore, essentially party Of Re
form In the coming canvass it w;
chiefly and vigorously agitate the para
mount questions of reform in our Stat
and local administrations. 1t will con
ftlently rely for success upon the activ
co operation of all conservative cit
; zens, whatever may have been the
political antecedents and prediction
Prominent among needed measure
ofreform are
: /. The revision of the registration
:, election ard cOIstahulary laws, whicl
:. at ruinous expenses, defeat, instead
affirming, the will of tho people at Il
ballot box.
\ 2. The revision of the printing Law
q SO as, first, to shield the press again
the demoraliziDg power of partis;
q vcnality, and, secondly, to cut dow
this item of public expenditure, whicI
a at present, largely exceeds the sum