New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-03-17
THE SPECIAL SESSION no CONDITION OF
COMPROMISE.

> COMPROMISE.
We really can not account for the pos
ton attributed to us by the Picny''ne, 81
cept on theory neither complimentary
: to our capacity to make ourselves under
stood. nor to the capacity of the Picay'l'
t to comprehend. We will. therefore, onl
say that the intense anxiety of the Picay,a
. to force special session has caused it
overlook facts and assume concession
which have never been established. "
: have said that special session was n
term of the compromise. We will not re
peat the proof
We will add some incidental evidenc
that special session was not involved i,
the original terms of compromise becaus
it was not deemed necessary. The com
promise was discussed in the columns 0
the Picayune on the third of February
That paper then laid down the objects
Of compromise. 1t is unnecessary to emu
merate them, but no special session was
included. On the fifth of February the
caucus adopted the Wheeler PROPOSE
ton. On the sixth the Legislature in
vited the Conservative members to return,
and pledged itself to cooperate in all
measures of reform. On the same date
the Committee of Seventy repudiated the
act Of the CAUCUS and q meeting under
the statue of Henry Clay denounced
| compromise" as treason.
There had been up to that date
nothing said about a special session.
There remained enough time in the reg
ular session with the cooperative pledge
of the Republican Legislature to have
acted on every measure in the category
published by the Picayune of the eighth.
But for the vehement opposition Of the
Conservative leaders throughout the
whole conference, there would have been
no need Of special session and such
condition would have been unnecessary.
There were but two points of compromise.
l. The legality of the executive. 2. The
organization Of the House. These have
been both accorded.
We ask, does our argument and evidence
commit the REPUBLICAN for or against
special session? We may 60 further
and affirm that the Picayune itself was
uncommitted either by the negotiations
Or the compromise as adopted by the
caucus. Neither themselves. nor ourselves,
and still less the executive, were bound.
All are free and footloose to advocate or
oppose special session. As for the null
lifiers and their organ, as they oppose the
whole compromise, they could not con-
slider any one of its terms obligatory. 1t
is to be remembered that this division of
the Conservatives was in very small |
minority. The special session was not |
then condition adopted by the caucus,
nor contemplated by the caucus. As for
the phrase 1T was understood, we repel |
and repudiate such post facto and oral in
depreciation or Interpolation of written
We stand by the letter Of the
proposition. That is the basis
IF compromise.and nothing more.
We will correct the intimation Of the !
Picayune in ano ther particular. We are
lot the mouthpiece Of Governor Kellogg.
We claim to be an organ of the Republi-
an party in Louisiana. We respect the
Governors wishes and opinions, and give
fleet to them when they comport with
he policy in our opinion proper, but We
re in position to know even more Of
public sentiment, and, consequently,
,etter able to teach fearless and
ust policy than any official, however
xalted, can be. In this we speak for our
and no Journalist will gainsay
What We have claimed for the param cunt
'ower of the press over the opinion or
uthority of any one man, be he King or
Kaiser. We are in accord with his Excel
ency, and in indicating truth and his
Dry we vindicate him. He asks no more
our hands. He has, neither on this
uestion nor any other, dictated our
CURSE We respect his suggestions and
ustain his rights. To do more for the
one man power" would not be Republic
an. The executive represents the people;
aey do not obey him.
But the Governor and the Republicans
re uncommitted and untrammeled in re-
ard to special session, and we presume
9th would be determined in future action
y knowing what the Conservatives ask. Do
hey wish session of strife? Is that box OF
andors, the House officers and patronage,
, be reopened? Or is special session
anted for legislation supplementary to
lie reform measures already enacted?
ct Us see your schedule, gentlemen. 1t
rs been long period in politics since
le third of February, 1875, but the
icay,tne, after reciting the objects of
said:
The Legislature to he limited to This ,corh.
in such additions as may be agreed on, and t
Tour italics.
Reserving the right to decide whether
ere shall be special session or not,
oon the state of facts as they may exist
3 ask:
l. Does the Picay,ne abide by this de- l
,nation and limitation of legislative
ton?
2. Will the Conservative members put
cir names to such compact?