The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1875-04-17
Extra Session and Reform,
[F RON the n. 0. Republican,


[Fron the n. 0. Republican,
Before the Termination Of the reg
ular session Of the Legislature it be-
came known that many OF the Con-
servative members who had been re-
creant in their duties to themselves
and to their constituency, desired an
extra session of the Legislature ;
there were those among them WHO as
serted that adjustment and conse-
quent peace could he brought about
in no other way. The Republican and
Republicans generally were not a
party to such wishes. When the
Wheeler adjustment originated it
was believed that it could be con-
summated in time for all members
under theinew award to take their
seats and enact such reform measures
as were desired by all parties. We
have seen how these anticipations
were not realized. The Conservative
members we're too long in making up
their minds as to what they really did
want. They clamored for reform,
but would not lend helping hand.
Personal dignity, which they thought
wUuff suffer nsllock ii they returned
to duty, seemed of more Importance
than the welfare of the State.
We opposed an extra session be-
cause it could have been avoided |;
the Conservatives should not have
made it necessary, and more because
Of the great expense to ap impover-
ished State. But it appears that
peace is as expensive as war is costly.
Peace is u necessity in the present
case and must be paid for, and all
right minded people should see to it
that we get what we pay for, As Re-
publicans we yield the point Of extra
session in the interests Of peace and
promised reform, and are curious to
know what action the Conservatives
will take to insure either. The out
side look for the past few. days has
not been encouraging. We hear of
numerous bills that have been drafted
which may provoke discussion and
consume much time of the ten days
indicated in the Governors proclama-
ton as the session limit. The extra
session limit The extra session is IL
fact; the award has been made, and
no time need be wasted over contest
ants; coup detats are unnecessary.
Now to business. In caucus the Con-
have indicated that the old
of the House Organization
is not good enou gh for them. They
have already canvassed the speaker
ship, aud are divided as to the rela
tive merits Of the two or three who
seek the position. They are nnde-
cided as to whom they will allow to
be Speaker, provided the old Speaker
is not retained by the united strength
Of the more sensible members of both
parties. We believe no member OF
the House more earnestly desires re-
form than Speaker Hahn. BE was
elected in his parish by both parties,
upon that issue, without an opposing
At the organization OF the
House he was not radical enough for
the more Radical Republicans, but
they supported him for the good he
could do as a conservative man. There
also appears to he no good leasan
why the clerks should he changed, or
-lt-;,rms. These questions
ale not the primary object OF the ex-
tra session. The Governor specified
six propositions for consideration. We
appeal to ali Republicans, aud to such
Dt the Democrats us desire peace ana
to waive personal aggran-
lizement and unite in an effort to do
The State some good. There are young
Solons who will be anxious to air their
let them hire IL ball and
talk after the session is over. Let all
legislative work be done clean and
quickly. The poor pelican, Louis
lana, has too long sat with her young
her breast. An economical
collection and disbursement OF reve-
nues, and many other reform meas
ures are needed; they should be fixed
at once, aud not simply talked at.
We are sure the Republican members
will be found on the right side OF
every question for immediate and per-
manent good. They have agreed to
the extra session; that is conciltia-
tory and IA beginning for peace and
better things. They will go for re-
form ahead of the most retormatory
Democrat, standing before the world
as honorable components of the great
party OF progress and justice, and that
is the end for which all wise men and
good citizens should labor.
A Memphis dispatch OF April 9TH
says:
At Brownsville, Tennessee, last eve
ming, Robert Medlin, county court