The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-18
Tnr QUESTION OF THE HOUR.


either to falter, relax, or retreat. why
d;a the House order IN investigation
into the books OF the Treasurer, anu
why did the honorable committee. ap-
rointed to institute such investigation,
make a formal report showing d1stinctlS
impeachable offenses against the treas
urer and do facto Governor why did
the House, through It's committee, mol
only officially take cognizance, as
matter OF legislative right and duty, OF
the Treasury administration. but re-
ceived the report OF that committee,
making formal accusation. on authentic
and perfectly satisfactory evidence, OF
repeated and dangerous violations Of the
law, accompanied with some pec'iniary
losses. in connection with an improper
use Of the public funds 1t could no'
have been simply to make the inquiry
on suspicion OF existing irregularities.
and to ascertain the real guilt OF the
officers OF tho law, for me purpose W
couo,oning or pardoning ne f't"es
Of The offenders.
We have supposed tho inquiry into
the Treasurer's books was ordered py
Tho LEGISLATURE for practical object,
and that It was conducted with the
utmost circumspection, with the Wow Oh
ascertaining whether the treasurer
should be applauded for his zeal, recti-
tud6 and fidelity in the public service.
or condemned and punished for criminal
nets if found guilty Of lin vindication
of the violated laws, and OF the future
safety. rights and dignity OF the people.
Surely Il would have been better ana
wiser for the cause OF good government.
morality and tho sacredness Of the laws,
which are the only sound ana soilo
foundation of the social fabric. that no
investigation should have been made,
that no disregard Of an oath OF ot1ice ny
n trusted official should have been OK
hibited. that no fragrant violation OF the
laws should have been exposed 70 the
gaze of the people OF the country, both
i'm and out of the State, rather than 10
witness the acknowledgment that q
Conservative majority in he House was
willing TO confess, for any reasons OF
motives. no matter what these alleged
reasons or motives may be. that the
General Assembly Of Louisiana does not
possess the "power or the Will 10
bring known criminals to justice. we
think the result will demonstrate the
pride and sense Of self-respect, anu the
unsleeping vigilance respecting the
guarantees in which the people IND
only real security and freedom, ana
which have characterized inc
Democratic and Conservative mem
bers of the House during the Sos
sion But Il would be an unparalleled
scene Of weakness and humiliation 10
sec the House OF Representatives. nrst
bring those who have officially out
ragged the laws and the people before IL,
accuse them Of their perfidy, read 10
the defendants, as public act, the
clear evidence Of their guilt, and then,
as n most .lamentable anti-climax TO all
that It has thus SO tremendously exc
cuted. to bow to the accused with hats
off. in timid depreciation Of their imag-
ined power and immunity from the pen.
alties OF violated statutes. This would
he TO 90 up like rocket and come down
like a stick. This would be like con
yerting a serious drama OF high import
into miserable farce.
We have heretofore spoken OF the
House. because. by the constitution, the
mower Of preferrinparticleso OF impeach'
mont lies there. The House must pre-
sent articles of impeachment against
Kellogg and Dubuclet to the Senate
and. unless the Democratic and Con
servative majority in the House shall
act on the report of Messrs. Aldige and
VOORHEES,. the Republicans, we anticl
pate. Judging from Mr.. Snaer's minority
document, will remain quiescent In the
matter. On the other hand, 1t seems tt
MS. that IL the articles OF impeach
ment. based on substantial grounds
the law and the facts being equally in
displtable. are sent by the Democrats
and Conservatives Of the House, with
perhaps, the assistance of n Republican
or two. to tho Senate, that body will bt
compelled to entertain and decide the
matter SO submitted, and to determine
in doing SO, whether to convict the de
PENDANTS on their oaths, and out OF re
spect for the majesty OF the laws, or t.
acouit them, without any regard for law
public morality, or common decency
In acquitting the prisoners, notwitstand
ing their proven guilt, they will inform
our fellow citizens throughout the Uni
ted States, that while Democrats ant
Conservatives seek. fearlessly and peace
fully, to preserve the efficiency OF goot
laws, and to maintain in its purit,
the correlative relation which shoult
exist between these laws and TIN
, officers who administer them, TIN
Republican or Radical part.
, Of Louisiana are Influenced by NJ
higher considerations than venal sub
serviency, corruption and low partisan
ship. Let the Democrats and Conserva
tives OF the House do their duty-le
them publish straightforward recort
, OF fidelity, courage and consistency, t.
, all the world, and let tho Senate TAX
: the responsibility Of regarding the &C
| quittal Of Messrs. Kellogg and Dubu
l..