Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1872-01-11
[OoNr1SuED FROM FIRST PAoE.]

dence of their sincerity would have
been their appearance in the Senate
Chamber, ready to vote for the meas
ures they so blatantly advocate.
feel deep interest in this matter, be-
cause / have been censured-I have
been ostracised-I have been pro-
scribed in every conceivable way, on
account of my political opinions, and
even the privacy of my residence has
been intruded upon in order that the
policy of prescription inaugurated by
the Royal street mob might be carried |
out. They have tried to induce the
most influential colored men in the |
State to array themselves against
the executive and to assist them |
in their war upon the very life
of the Republican party of Louisiana.
They have brought into their ranks the
bad and dissatisfied men of both parties,
and many others who belong to no party
whatever, and who skulk from one part |
of the country to another, ready at any
time to stir up political strife, and there
by make foothold for themselves in the
community. They are men who can only |
keep aAoat by keeping the political word
in constant whirlpool of agitation. They
have brought upon the State of Louisiana
condition Of affairs which is disgraceful
in the extreme, and which will leave an
almost ineffaceable blot upon our history
By the absence Of these Senators the State
has been put to useless and heavy ex-
pense on account of the General Assembly
being in session without the power to
legislate and all this has to be borne by
the laboring men in the State who earn
their bread by the sweat of their brows.
1 think it perfectly proper that resolutions
of this character should be passed by
the seventeen Senators present, in order
that the people of the State may know
that We have the interests of the State at
heart When we have convinced the
people of that fact, they will naturally in
fer that the absent Senators are recreant
to their trusts, and will visit upon their
heads the severest condemnation. When
these gentlemen go back to their consti-
tuents and ask to be reelected, they will
tell them, ave have had one example of {
your Legislative capacity you have been {
weighed in the balance, and found want :
ing we have no further use for you we ,
will elect men who have proved them 6
selves faithful to their trusts" So far as
reform is concerned, there is no class of !,
people more interested in it than that
which 1 represent. We are destitute of '.
money, destitute of influence, destitute of !
everything that could bring us into an I
equal competition with the other race. C
We are, therefore, deeply interested in the '
prosperity of the State. Among |
hose Senators who are absent from their t
'eats to-day are representative colored q
men, who have been elected by their G
for the purpose of protecting n
heir interests in the legislative halls. >,
What will they reply when they are ac- :,
used of resorting to unworthy means for :,
he purpose Of retarding legislation, and :. :,
If squandering the money of the people :. y
In conclusion, Mr. Pres 4
dent, Twill say that 1 shall heartily sup u
port any and all reformatory measures p
hat may come before the Senate. When II
he time comes for action, We shall see O
whether these Senators, .who are so loud
nouthed in their professions, will practice s.
What they preach. hope the resolutions Il
will be adopted. q
Mr.. Harris--I hope the resolutions b
which have been offered will be adopt 81
d, as every sentiment contained in o
hem meets with my hearty approval. Il
n expressing my approval of them, 1 h
10 not wish it to be understood that 1 81
10 SO at the demand of the mob which n
as surged through our streets for the Il
ast few days. but because 1 believe p
he measures of reform referred to are al
Or the interest of the people whom I tt
ave the honor to represent, on this q
DOR. l do it because believe that IL
ne sovereign people of Louisiana de- al
lahd that some reform should be W
lade. 1 do it because believe that m
ne taxation upon the people of this d.
tate is Onerous-that it is too burden W
ONE for any people that Gods sun OF
yer shone down upon to bear. 1 do he
because believe that some of the W.
Tvs now spread upon the statute pa
ooks are unjust to the great mass of de
ne people of the State. Ibelieve, sir, l.
nat our present revenue law could be tel
lodified so that it would be much ev
lore acceptable to the people. be- 70
eve the revenues could be collected I'll
much less expense than they are 1
t present. believe that some modi- Il
cations should be made in the cleo NJ
on and registration laws. 1 believe pc
nat the supervisor of registration tn