The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-23
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

At the State Convention of the Democratic
and Conservative party, held in Baton Rouge
the following resolution was adopted as 9
plank in the platform:
We advise our people to vote against the
amendments to the Constitution proposed by
the usurping Legislature, and pledge our
selves. on the restoration OF the Government
to konest hands, to provide for the payment
of all honest Indebtedness Of the State.
AS the adoption of these amendments
would prevent any legislation in the future
upon the questions to which they refer, it was
deemed both wise and proper, by the best
LAWYERS and jurists in the State, to advise the
people to vote against their approval. The
Republican strongly recommends their adop-
ton, as they are party measures. This should
be sufficient to convince our people OF the
necessity Of defeating them. But the Repub-
lean is not the only advocate of these consti-
tutional amendu ents. 1t finds strong ally
in the Times. Mr.. Clinton, who is the repu-
ted author OF these amendments, is anxious
for their approval, and the columns Of his
organ speaks for him thus:
Every voter in the city Of New Orleans
should carefully scrutinize for himself the
constitutional amendments to be voted for or
against on the second day Of November.
They are of vital moment, and should not be
subjected to mere party approval or condem-
nation. No matter which party wins in the
pending contest, the respective limitations Of
the State and city debts by the proposed
amendments would be triumph for the tax
payers, and, withou. raising any party issues,
tbo rao,1o cborII ,,ya than their nnheSita-
ting Endorsement. The taxpayers shoul see
what they are taxed for, aud should avail
themselves Of every possible check to State
and municipal extravaganza. Ii Conservatism
wins, no harm can be done; if Radicalism
wins, q great good will be secured by their
ratification.
By the above it will be seen how ingeniousIy
and plausibly the Times puts the question.
But it is a Trojan horse full of mischief, and
the people should not be misled by the sophis-
try of the Times.
Having in view the success Of the Demo-
cratic party at the coming election, the present
administration proposed, by the adoption OF
these amendments, to fasten upon their sue
cessors in the Government of the State, the
iniquitous financial schemes and fraudulent
debts of the Kellogg usurpation, and to de-
prive them of the right of reviewing and
eliminating the State and city debts.
SAYS the Tines: eff Conservatism wins
no harm can be DONE" But harm will be
done, for the Conservatives, by their own
votes, will have committed themselves to the
Republican measures Of finance. self Radi-
t.a!ism wins q great good will be secured by
their ratification" Certainly great good to
the Radica! party will be done, because their
object will have been attained, but the Con-
servatives will have forced upon them forever
debt which is both Unjust and illegal.
Let the people, then, heed not the advice Of
the Times. It comes from quarter that
should not be trusted, and is not worthy the
consideration of the Republican party in this
State