New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-26
DEBATES IN THE HOUSE.
Thirteenth Days Proceedings
ON THE FUNDING BILL,


Mr. Demas, of st. John-Mr. Speaker
the bill now presented for our acceptance
is the most extraordinary production that
ever was introduced into a legislative body
While concede that the general features
of the bill are conducive to the financial
interests Of the State, yet there has been sc
much haste in drawing out the bill and sc
little attention paid to constitutional rights
that l find myself compelled to oppose
many of its provisions. In the first place
propose to amend section one by striking
ont all from the word 'State," on the ninth
line, to the word "are," on the fourteenth
line, and inserting in place thereof the
words zone person from each congressional
district, to be appointed by the Governor"
/ propose to strike out all in section six
from the word "said," in the sin "a line, for
on reference to the bill you will perceive,
Mr.. Speaker, that one of our most sacred
vested and inherent rights is utterly ig.
nored and set at naught, namely: that of
dispOsing Of ones own personal property,
in such manner as may seem most tit and
proper to the pOssessOr. Why, sir, this bill
declares that any sale or pledge of the new
bonds shall be null and void, and any per-
son who shall make any sale or pledge
thereof shall be deemed guilty of a misde-
meanor, and on conviction shall be pun
ished by a fine of not less than $4,000, nor
more than $4,000, and by imprisonment for
not less than two years. Now, sir, such a
law as that would be disgrace to the
statute book, and would reflect we'll mer-
tied contempt upon the Legislature that
passed it. / can not and will not support
SO odious a measure-a measure that makes
a vital stab at the liberties of our citizens.
On lines twenty-five and twenty-six of
section seven, find that thirteen mills on
the dollar is recommended as being the
maximum of taxation, except for the sup
pOrtiO of public schools; but maintain, MIR.
Speaker, and a close investigation of the
subject has satisfied me on this point, that
twelve and half mills is amply sufficient
to meet all requirements. !, therefore, shall
require that the word thirteen" be erased
and "twelve and half be substituted.
Another most extraordinary proposition
is found in section ten, which declares that
any Judge, tax collector, or any officer of
the State obstructing the execution of this
act, and so forth, shall be deemed guilty of
a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof
shall be punished by heavy fine and long
imprisonment. But who is to define what
is meant 10y constructing" Does it consist
in granting an injunction, or in what9 What
is the meaning of any officer of the State
falling to perform his official duty thereun-
der! Who is to be the judge of the alleged
delinquency
ceived without reflection and without judg-
ment, and l can not pass it by without
expressing my surprise that any person
would be so bold as to offer such an attempt
at legislation for the sanction of this House.
The section must be entirely stricken out if
this House expects to achieve reputation
for sagacity and intelligence.
The new bonds, it seems, are to be sent
for negotiation to London, Paris and Am
OF n NM ut AfIa nF
be published in the journals of those cities.
1t is well known that Israeltes are the prin-
cipal tinancers abroad, and they do not
agree with Christians in their religious be-
Lief l therefore think that it is quite I'M
necessary to have the words "of our Lord"
in the third line of section thirteen and
propose to let the section read, "the year
1914" etc.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, I have already an.
nounced myself as being an earnest advo-
cate of funding bill, and now repeat my
assertion, but | ask yon how can any man,
endowed with even the smallest amount of
common sense, give his countenance and
support to the provisions embodied in
section fifteen. Why, sir, this section
offers the extraordinary proposition that
all warrants drawn previous to the
passage of this act by the respective Audi
tors of Public Accounts of the State on the
ment in full of all taxes, penalties, interest
tax sales. and for the redemption of tax |
sales to the amount due the State for any |
Y ear previous to the first day of January, |
iS'l" Mr.. Speaker, the. passage of such an |
act would open the door TO unlimited |
frauds. Warrants would be looming up |
that have not seen the light of day for fifty |
years. Warrants that have been obtained |
by fraud or direct theft would be as plenti. |
1ul Inavns in q, /
the injustice that would be committed. |
The poor man has for years past paid his |
taxes IN cash, but the man OF wealth has |
oeen enabled to postpone his payment for |
years. Bnt under this section the time |
has arrived when the musty old warrants |
VIII be forthcoming in settlement OF the |
claim OF the State against him. The |
revenue OF the state must proportionately |
suffer, and at the end of the wear we shall |
be more hopelessly bankrupt than we. are |
now. And yet we are told that this is a re- |
form measure, and that it is part of tho |
grand scheme OF economy and retrench- |
ment to which the Republican party stands |
pledged! lie is economy with vengeance.
m economy that will serve to enrich a |
greedy crowd of brokers, to the impoyer-
shment of our people No, sir. l shall |
vote against section fifteen, for its proyis- |
ons are of the most damaging and ruinous |
nature, and could not go back to my con.
stituents, nay, could not again hold up
nv head as an honest man, did | not OPP |
pose this section with all the power and |
energy of which / am capable. There IS |
no argument that can be used, with honesty |
and candor, in its favor. 1t is wholesale |
scheme and warn this House |
not to sanction it, but unanimously to cast |
it out with the scorn it deserves. do not |
intend to use any further argument upon
,he question at issue. The section Is before
gou, what will you 90 with it ap.
The following section, No. l6, is of like
aturN to the last, and daaAryaa en- almost j