New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-23
The Question Of nm Early Adjournment
Before the Senate.

In the Senate yesterday there was quite
an animated debate on Senator Greene's
resolution fixing the fifth day Of February
next as the day of adjournment sine die of
the General Assembly. The resolution
came. up in its regular order, and Senator
Greene urged its adoption. He said the
condition Of the State from political dis
orders, oveItiows, ETC., was truly lament
able; from these causes poverty had over.
taken the people to such an extent that
they were unable to- pay their taxes; and he
thought the best thing the General As
sembly could do under the circumstances
was to pass as little legislation as possible,
and do that speedily. An early adjourn
nent he thought would not only be a saw
ing to the State, but it would enable
members to 20 home and go to work. The
planting season was about to commence
and ne thought members could do better at
home.
Senator Brewster also advocated an early
adjournment. He was in favor.of members
returning to their constituents and telling
them why reform measures had not been
ures did not arise from any indisposition on
the part Of Republicans to do their duty,
but was caused by determination on the
part of Democratic members to stand in
the way of reform by refusing to take their
seats. They had been sent here to aid in
the work of Legislation, and their absence
was preventing the passage Of such reform
measures as they stood pledged to pass
when they were before the people as can
didates tor the Legislature.
Senator Brewster did not want the reso-
luton referred to committee, but wanted
it disposed of by direct vote of the Senate.
To remain in session until the end of the
sixty days allotted by law Tor the General
Assembly to sit, withou: being able to &C.
complish any good, he thought would be
bleeding the State without any good result.
Senator Blunt did not favor an early ad-
jourment. Members had been sent here to
work out an extendedisystem OF reform-a
reform that would help to relieve the State
and people of the embarrassments which now
surround them. He was in favor of re-
ducing the pay OF members one half if
necessary, to accomplish the work mem
bers of the Legislature had bee a sent hefe
to do, but he was not in favor Of reducing
the time fixed by the constitution for the
sittings Of the General Assembly. He want
ed the salaries and fees of all officers cut
down, and all unnecessary offices Topped of !
before the Legislature adjourned
Senator Burch considered the remarks of |
Senators who favored an early adjournment !
as direct reflection upon the Senate. He |
wonld be in favor of an early adjournment
il that course would really conserve the |
public interest; but he did not believe an |
adjournment without some Legislation look |
ing to general reform would he the best |
course under all the circumstances. So far |
as the remarks of the Senator from |
Ouaehita were concerned, he did not believe |
that members Of the General Assembly |
were bleeding the State when they met here I
from day TO day. in accordance with law,
for the purpose OF legislating for the
general interest. II Senators were here
,or the purpose OF breaking down the
government, as Democratic menhbe we're
to do, there might be some
eason Tor the remarks OF the Senator from
)uaehita. But Republican me1 hbers were
lOt here tor that purpose, and therefore he
I'D not propose to hoist the white flag and
etire, leaving the enemy master of the
eld. He was here to help work out re-
orm, and would vote to cut down the sala-
ies of all officers, and for the abolishment
all offices not absolutely needed. Until
his is done he would oppose the resolution |
nder consideration.
The resolution was finally referred to the
Committee on Retrenchment ard Reform.