New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-17

tioopS udu USSA hCpt iu ~ 49, L
Kellogg in power. The people had remon
strated against the Kellogg government
They had met and passed resolutions pro
testing against it and had sent petitions here
to be relieved OF it. He favored the &dmis'
sion of McMillen as Senator and the
adoption of the proposion of the
Senator from Delaware Mr.. Bayard,
requesting the President to withdraw the
troops from the State, thai the McEnery
government might be installed. Ii this was
done the Senator from Indiana (Morton)
would soon see, TOW much the people OF
Louisiana acQaiesce in the Kellogg govern
ment.
Mr.. Morton denied the power of Congress
to set aside the election in Louisiana and
order new one. Under the provisions OF
the constitution of the United States the
United States shall guarantee to each State
republican form OF government. As
such action would be destructive OF
the integrity and independence OF
State governments. the constitutional pro-
vision was intended to guarantee repub-
lican as against an aristOcratic or mon
arcblai form OF government, not to correct
election frauds. When the constitution was
framed we had just achieved our indepen-
dence of monarchy. There were still mon
archists in all the States. Several States
were then actually administered by an arls-
toCFdcy VI property. FROM l''4 10 l'c| INC
great question had been the rejection
of monarchy and the establishment of
republicanism. 1t was intended to
secure the triumph of republicanism by de-
claring in the constitution that the United
States shOu Id guarantee to each State "a re-
publican form of government. He quoted
from Madison in the Federalist, the only
construction intended by the constitution
was that States should not exchange repub-
lican for antirepublican constitutions.
The proposition now urged is that
a fraudulent election or possession
of the Offices destroy the republican
character of the State government. De
factO mOnarchles, presidents or govern
ments have never been held to change the
form of government. They are accidents
of administration. If Congress can pass
this BILL it can set aside any State govern
ment on any pretext, for it is the sole judge.
1t involves the power to investigate every
State election, and makes Congress can
vassing board. 1t involves the power to
regulate State administrations. suspend
State governments, se5 them aside
and create new ones at the caprice
OF passion or party interest, and al
lows States to exist only by suferance
while sovereignty exists in the nation, yet
State governments should be independent
in their spheres. The very idea of State
government is destroyed if Congress can
supervise their administration. At the end
OF the war the Southern States were with
out governments. A republican form. of
government ctnld not be guaranteed where
there was no government at all, and recon-
struction was political and cOhseduen-
tial necessity. The constitution in
tended 10 give Congress a prOtectOrate
over republican forms of government in the
States, against monarchy, or aristocracy,
or anarchy, which is absence of govern
ernment The power now cOntended for
would put States as completely under the
control OF Congress as are the Territories;
would cenrralize and consolidate all power
in the national government, and leave the
State governments mere convenience and
eXpedients, TO be altered at will. This bill
overrides the constitution OF Louisiana as to
time and manner of election and tenure of
office. 1t wOuld give Louisiana State officers
and Legislature in defiance of the consti-
tuition and laws. He argued that Congress
had no right to 90 behind the decisions of
the State courts and action Of the returning
board, There is necessity for a State
government which involves necessity for
State tribunals 20 decide questions arising
under its constitution and laws, and the de-
cision should be final. The mischief which
would arise from setting them aside is
infinitely greater than any benefit that
could posi- oily accrae. Jn this argument
he had proceeded On the Senator's |
(Carpenter's) assumption Of facts which he
Morton) did not admit. The Legislature
of Louisiana had inaugurated great reform;
State taxes have been reduced from twenty |
one and One-half mills to fourteen and one |
half mills, and parish taxes from twenty |
one and One-half mills to fraction less |
than eleven mills. The total State and |
parish taxes under the former admlnistra-
tion was f0rtv-three mills; under this, as |
liked by the last Legislature. twenty-five |
mills. The Governor and Legislature have |
acted in fall harmony with the city |
authorities OF New Orleans and reduced
The annual expenses of that city 81 ,264 500 |
The expenses of the General Assembly in |
1870, were $685., 900; in 1871, s ,025, ,000 in |
1872 $S49.HS; in 1873, the first year of |
keliogg's administration, $2lS,4l0 and in |
1874, Sl70,001 The appropriations for the |
general tnnd.cOvering current expenses for |
1870 were S3,09i ,000; for 1871, 1923 900: |
ior 1872, S2O3l,o ,ol9; tor 1873, the first year
Df Kelloggs administration, g ,649 1872: for |
.87i, estimated $955,232. This statement |
lid not comprehend appropriations for inter
,st, levees, or schools. Under the influence |
If this administration, confidence is being
'estored, trade is reviving, prices of prop
,rty are advancing, and the prospects of |
Louisiana are growing brighter from day to |
lay.
Mr.. Upton, of Nebraska, gained the floor
% speak on the bill, and Yielded for mo-
ION Tor executive session, which was agreed |
%, and at hajf-past four the Senate pro-
,eeded to the consideration of executive
business. After short time the doors were
opened and the Senate adjourned
Fort ST. Philip Canal-NIilitary Consider.
atoms.
Professor Forshey was before the Secre- |
arg OF War. He was introduced to Gen
raj Belknap by the Hon. Hamilton Fish. |
md submitted the following views on the |
military bearings OF the Fort st. Philip |
Canal:
Laying before the honorable Secretary a
arge coast survey map Of the mouths Of the.
liver and the channel and bars up to the
Orts, he called attention to the naked and |
character of the mouths of |
he passes, discharging fan like into
he open sea- These mouths can ouly
70 entered by ships in comparatively
air weather, slowly and with great canton.
oast, there is little to guide the pilot when
torlns come. There is no harbor within a
andred miles, and vessels have to put TO
ca tor safety. In case of war the vessel
hat is chased, whether naval or CONNER
lal. must fall victim to the enemy. No
efenses can be constructed about
ne mouths, because there is no
racticable foundation for forts or
atterles. The mouths are abruptly
lde1enslole. The first practicable defenses
the rlver are at the forts jackson and
t. Philip. What, then, is the remedy
he Breton harbor. at The upper end OF
reton pass. approaches within seven
llies OF the river, just below the forts.
hat harbor, of about five squares miles
rea, Is entirely land-Iocked, being fanked
y shoals and islands and firm grounds.
here forts may be located and built to
uard the mouth OF the harbor and the neck