New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-01

had been practiced ON much more ex-
tended scale. In the first place, the House
has, in the Hon. o. H. Brewster, a
Speaker who notonly breaches economy
but practices it. This is plainly evidenced
in more respects than one. Commencing
with the Speakers room, a very perceptible
change for the better is plainly to be seen
there. The luxuries that We're formerly dis
played there in bountiful style, in the shape
Of the most costly liquors and cigars, at the
expense of the State, are not INDUCED III
now. 1t is not improbable that thousands
of dollars are saved to the State 10y Speaker
Brewster in the disuse Of these items
alone; and in addition to this the House
is saved the disgrace of those Bacchanalian
scenes that were so frequent during Mi.
Carriers occupancy of the Speakers chair.
The recommendations and examples of
the Governor and Speaker of the House
of Representatives are favorably received
and acted upon by members daily. The
Committee on Contingent Expenses have
already reported that they have organized
and inaugurated thorough system OF re-
form. The committee have agreed upon
system of checks and balances that will
cause their books and accounts to be SIM
plifed and thorough in the interest of an
honest disbursement of the contingent
fund of the House They ask for the
passage of law limiting the expense OF
stationery to members, etc, and estimate
that from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars
will be sufficient to meet the sundry con-
tingent expense fund of the House. There
can be no better evidence of reform than
this ON the part Of the House, and the
same spirit is evinced in the Senate.
There was further evidence of the above
spirit exhibited in the House yesterday.
Mr.. Murray introduced resolution Gre
ating a new committee, consisting of five
members, to be known as the Committee
on Street Railroads. MIR. Oplatek strenu-
ously opposed the appointment of any adj
ditional committees; he contended that it
was impolitic and extravagant, and at this
time was not in accordance with that spirit
of reform which members of the Legis-
lature profess. After Mr.. Oplatek had
concluded his remarks, a motion was made
to table the resolution, and it was carried
by vote of sixty-four yeas to eleven nays.
The Senate on Tuesday refused to give
official notice to the Governor of the
deaths of Senators Fish and Pierce, on the
ground that such notice would put the
State to the expense of holding an cleo
ton. This disposition displayed in both
houses, to avoid all unnecessary expense
to the State, is certainly in striking con-
trast with the disposition manifested at the
last session of the Legislature.
In the House yesterday there was an i'm
provement over the previous day in the
conduct of members. There was much
less talking and consequently deal more
of legislation. Among ether legislation a
bill dividing the parish of Richland was
reported to the House by the committee to
whom had been referred a memorial of
certain citizens Of that parish, addressed
to the House, asking for the passage of
law to that affect. After the act had been
read, Mr.. Thompson moved that it be re-
ferred back to the committee, with instruc-
tons to change it so as to refer the matter
to vote of the people of Richland
parish. Mr.. Thompson contended that as
there were no representatives at present III
the House from that parish, it was impOs-
sible for members to know the real wishes
of the people there: and it was just that
their wishes should be fully known before
the Legislature determined to act in the
matter. He thought it very likely the
memorial did not represent the
wishes of the people of the parish.
For this reason he should insist on his
motion, to refer the act back to the COM
mittee whence it originated with instruc
tons to amend it SO as to give the people
of Richland voice in the matter. mo-
ton was made to table MI. Thompson's
amendment, and lost by vote of fifteen
yeas to fifty-seven nays. The amendment
was then adopted. A report was received,
and adopted, from Mr.. Bentley, chairman
of the Committee on Public Education.
1t recommends that Congress pass an act
granting million acres of the public
lands to each State and Territory for the
endowment Of one-and only one-uni-
versity or college in each.
POOR CONSOLATION FOR THE SERGEANTS-