The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-13
Gentlemen of the Hives

Gentlemen of the Hives:
.Sirs-Although not member of your or
ganization, you have done me the honor of
nominating me for Senator for the First Sena-
torial District, embraced between Felicity and
Canal streets, which is entitled to three Sena-
tors. For this honor l am grateful and ap-
preciative. Since the Conservative and Demo-
cratic Parish Convention which sat in Grune-
valid Hall has nominated Mr.. James H. Gro
yer and Mr.. Henry D. Ogden, gentlemen of
well-known integrity, capacity and patriotism,
either of whom will do as much tor the re-
demption of Louisiana and to relieve our peo-
pie from their burdens as could do, I cannot
consent that you should use my name as
candidate in such way as to jeopardize the
election of either of those gentlemen. I do
not speak of Mr.. W. J. Kelley, the other nomi-
nee Of the Conservatives, because am unac-
quainted with him as l am personally with
Messrs. Ogden and Grover.
In view of the general impoverishment Of
the people of Louisiana resulting from exor-
bitant and unjust taxation, and considering
the fundamental principle Of American lib
erty-that governments are established
for the good OF the governed-and that
the only legitimate objects OF government
are to protect life, liberty and property,
and to this end to administer justice
and repress crime and that whenever the
Legislature, which is but the agent Of the
people, has undertaken to donate the peo-
pies money, or to tax the people for any
other objects, it has exceeded its authority,
and its action is null and void and not bin
ing, either legally or morally. Every candi-
date for the Legislature should publicly
pledge himself to do all in his power to
reduce all the expenses Of government, both
State, parish and municipal, to the very low
est point possible to carry on the absolutely
necessary functions of government, not to ex-
coed in the aggregate the limit named in your
platform, which is higher than is necessary
He should further pledge himself, during the
term for which elected, to vote for no appro-
priation to pay any part of the principal or
interest of the pretended debt of the State,
and to prohibit all cities, towns and parishes
from levying or collecting any tax beyond the
very lowest rate necessary to carry on the
local governments on the most economical
basis. The powers Of government have been
used in such a way as to destroy property and
drive away capital, instead of to protect it.
A rest from extortion and taxation is public
necessity. 4 joint committee Of the aolest
men Of integrity in the Legislature, with
powers to send for persons and papers and
take testimony, should sift the whole history
of the issues of State and city bonds and
warrants, and show to the world the frauds
and iniquities that have been heaped upon u.s.
and how the powers Of government have been
Unused and its fun lions perverted.
If the first and second articles Of your
platform mean anything more than this, can
not promise to support it. 1t the candidates
nominated by the Conservative and Demo
cratic Conventios. propose anything less than
this they will accomplish no substantial relief
for the people of Louisiana.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. r. FoRMAN.