New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-10
THE STATE HOUSE.

The Governors message, transmitted to
the Legislature on Monday last, admonished
members that thirty-four days of the pres
emit session had then been spent in fruitless
contention, so far as legislation was con-
cerned. He reminded them, Republicans
and Democrats, that there were laws on the
statute book that needed modifying, and
that they were pledged to secure those
notifications through proper legislation.
Another week has passed since Governor
Warmoth thus addressed the Legislature IN
regard to legislation he deemed absolutely
necessary at this time: because a large por-
ton of the people have demanded 1t, and
the changed condition of society would
seem to warrant it. In his message, the
Governor takes it for granted that all those
preiudices that existed against colored
people and reconstruction when the laws
were enacted have passed away, and echo
ing the demands of that portion of
the people who formerly opposed re-
construction laws, he asks for
modification oil the registration, election,
constabulary, and other laws passed by the
Legislature to secure the political rights Of
men, without regard to color or pre-
vious condition. But in seconding the de-
mand for this, the Governor is careful to
say care should be taken while doing this
ito retain every provision that may be
necessary to protect and secure the weaker
members of our population full, free and
aICanfaUpG IN for
their choice for office" For this reason
the work of legislation may have to go
SLOW, yet there should be no unnecessary
delay. Forty days of the present session
have already been consumed, and deducting
the holidays from the remaining twenty
days of the session, there is but little over
two weeks time left to consummate the re-
forms that may be necessary. This should
be remembered, and the peoples representa-
tives should not lay themselves liable to
the grave charge of trihing away time that
should be devoted to the public interest.
This charge has been already made. and in
order that it may have no force in future,
it would be well for members of the Gen
eral Assembly to earnestly and harmo-
niously enter upon the work of legislation
during the seventeen working days that re-
main Of the present session.
Speaker Brewster yesterday again en-
braced an opportunity to remind members
| of the House, upon a motion of Mr.. Devices
to adjourn before the calendar had been
| cleared that the session was drawing rap
| idly to a close, and that it would not do to
| get behind with the business of the House.
| He would remind them. in all candor of
what was expected Of them, and would ask
| them when did they intend to legis-
| late! He said Saturday was resolution
day and there will be little else accom-
| plished on that day; Monday will
| be Mr. Lincoln's birthday. and as that is
| a national holiday there will be no legis-
latlon then. Tuesday will be Mardi Gras,
| and of course there will be little or moth
| ing done on that day; and then comes
| Washington birthday-the twenty second
of February-which will be another holi-
| day. Speaker Brewster SAID members
should, therefore, see the necessity Of fol-
| lowing the course recommended by Inn
| upon a previous OccasiOn-that OF going
| through the calendar every day. This
would prevent the necessity OF night
| sessions, and an accumulation of business
| in the last days OF the present term OF the
| Legislature, much of which would go Tn
finished. Speaker Brewster said he would
certainly regret the Adjournment OF the
Legislature wit hout the accomplishment OF
such legislation as would secure needed
reforms; that he for one would be ashamed
to 90 home to his constituents without hav-
ing secured to the people OF this State such
laws as the public interest demand.
The Speakers remarks had very saiu
tary effect. The House refused to adj
! iourn, and proceeded to clear the calendar
Before this, little had been done, with the
exception of passing a new appropriation
bill. Mr. Davidson gave a reason why the
conference committee had failed to agree
| Oh the Senate bill, fer the same purpose
| that passed the House with amendments
and asked leave to introduce new bill ap
propriating 100000 to pay the expenses OF
| the present session of the General Assembly
IN
7 bill promptly passed its several readings III
! the House, and was sent TO the Senate
| The bill to limit and define the duties
and powers, fees and emoluments of the
| Auditor of Public Accounts and other min
| isterial officers of the Stale, and to prohibit
them from insttuting or defending actions
suits, writs, or other process for OF
gainst them, or any OF them, or fol
or against the State, and from employ
| inc counsel and mourning costs of court, at
| torneys fees and other unnecessary ex
penses to the State, and to define the du
ties and powers of the Governor, the Attor
ney General, the district attorneys and the
courts of the State, in certain cases, wa;
taken up, passed through lis several read
| ings and sent to the Senate for the action o
that body.
The act amending the registration law
was again under consideration in the Sen
| ate yesterday.
''Viye LIE 9Earhi Gras.''
Under this caption We have an advertise