New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-05

4
!snd peEmits the people to cleo
those whom they shossfo represent thsm,
and without Q doubt tAe member of HID
own church sent him hero thinking that h(
vas good and an upright man; but hi
docs NOT want preachers here; Oh, NO! he il
afraid that they will forget what they art
dolng. The gentleman has evidently never
read history, Or If he has he has fOrgotter
what he has read, for ell that the civilized
nnement or arts, they have to thank the
pFeacher for, VINO, during tAodark ages o.
the world, engendered, encouraged, nur
tured and .fostered them. Yes, sir, the
world has much to thank the preachers for
The gentleman also finds fault with the bad
laws that are on the statute books. will
ak bin who made them, and he will an
swer, bad men, and that will always be HE
case e. long as the people send bad men
but, cir, we are here to show that we are
not bad men. but that Wa intend to protect
the people from extortion and robbery. and
such being my views, I can not agree to q
motion, resolution or bill that wantonly
wastes the public money.
Mr.. David Wilson, of Orleans, on the oc
casion OF his offering bill for the abolish.
mont of tho drainage tax
Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen of the House
OF kepresentatives-F0r tho first time since
l have been honored with q seat on this
floor claim your indulgence, and as q new
member beg your earnest consideration
and careful attention while point out 20
you the fragrant injustice and injury done
to large portion of our fellOw-citizens BY
the attempted enforcement of an act of the
Legislature for "leveeing, draining and 70
claiming swamp lands in certain portions
Of the parishes of Orleans and jefferson, -
passed in 1885, Now. Mr.. Speaker, if the
city proper and the parish of Jefferson had
ever reaped any benefits in the way of
drainage or the reclaiming of swamp
lands, little might be said to oppose
the enforcement of this act. But
what has been Effected Simply
nothing. On the contrary, let MS look back,
and within . few years We find our city
inundated, countless people driven from
their homes, cattle Of every description
drowned, and consequently lost to those
who could i'll afford 90 heavy an affection.
What shall say of the precious lives sacri.
feed during the flood" to which allude,
Of that soldier with one empty sleeve,
whose gallant attempt to save family re-
sesnlted in his own destruction, and who,
his patriotic soul to God in Q last lingering
effort to save some lives from the tender
mercies Of the "leveeing, draining and re-
claiming" act.
But, Mr. Speaker, have, and appeal to
the good common sense OF every gentleman
within sound of my voice to listen to me
when l tell you that although this most
ubiquitous tax was instituted in 1858, and
there having been no established govern
ment in Louisians from 1861 to 1868 an
attempt is being made. and actually
from. citizens an impost never Justly
due. Property never drained or reclaimed
is being seized. and poor men are being
made to suffer for an enactment instituted
before the war and never attempted to be
enforced until now. It il maxim in law
that where there is NO service there can be
no consideration. and surely. Mr.. Speaker,
NO man or set of men can claim service or
show to me or you the first eHart made that
has eliminated in anything like . success
1 dean IL Of the in certain
fers0n.
Now, Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen of the
House, in consideration Of these facts, and
in view of the many hardships to be en-
dured by the pressure Of the times and the
financial difficulties from which we are
iaboring go hard to emerge, beg you care
fully to consider and CON over this bill. In
it you will lind provisions satisfactory to
the mechanic, the lsb0rer and the property
holder, for all are interested, none 60 much.
however, as the poor man, whose little
property is virtually mortgaged, and will
be finally lost to him should this House fail
% come to his relief BY passing this bill.
Remarks of Mr.. Barrow, Of Orleans, in
Isvor Of the bill to provide tor the more
prompt payment of the city employees. ETC.
Mr.. Speaker; in support of thia bill only
intend to make very few remarks, know.
ng that the condition of the employees of
he city 10 we'll known to all the members
If this body, and particularly to those who
'epresent the city. It is known that those
'oor laboring men toll from morning till
light removing the filth Of the city, clean
ng the cutters in the heat of the day for q
'ery small salary, and ct the end Of the
week or month are compelled to sell their
ime or certificates for mere trifle of their |
ace value. This bill does not increase the
xpenses of the city if its provisions are
onestly carried ont; it will have an effect |
o diminish.
If this bill is passed it will give those who
re able to hold on to their certificates a |
ocular interest only. It provides for pay
ay in each month, which will give satisfae- |
ion to the lsborer who wishes to settle |
nth his grocer and landlord. know Of |
,any Of the laborers oh the streets who |
ave been placed in jeopardy on account of
w OOAA4 .OOAo w kAVo uOuuIU0 U1u0 u l
heir creditors in which they could settle.
is no benefit to the city to postpone set
ement with her employees for three or
'ur months ct time.
DEBATE Oh CONTESTED SEATS.
SATURDAY, February p, 1874.
On the report Of the minority committee
q contested seats, Mr.. Demas objected
giving contestants who arc declared not
TITLED to any compensation in the shape
mileage. If they are not members they
% not entitled to the privileges of mem.
,rs, and also objects, for it would be bad
-ecedent to establish. Men would contest
ats who have not the slightest claim or
ladow of claim. The State would become
,poverished from the payment of mileage
ID per diem to parties who are not emit
ed to 1t.
Mr.. Rsby-I think the contestant ought
have his mileage and per diem, as it has
ways been customary ever since have
zen Q member of this Legislature.
Mr.. M0ntaldo-The bill is one that We
led. Heretofore no one could sue the
ate. Now, all we claim is the right of q
'rty to sue the State.