Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-01-07
LOUISIANA POLITICS.
The President and Congress Memorial
lied, Protesting Against the Kellogg
Government, and Against the
Wheeler Adjustment.
Report Of the Committee on Resolutions,
EmbOdying a Code of Principles,
Made TO the Democratic
Convention,

New ORLEANS, January 6.-The
Democratic convention to day adopted
q long memorial to the President and
ID congress, protesting against the Kel-
lOgg government, aud urging that the
Wheeler adjustment in no way binds
the people OF the State to the support of
or aeqliescenee in the said government,
and says: "And now speaking for them
selves, the people OF the State OF L1uisi-
ana do so!emnly afifcm that they have
not sequiesced, aud lever will acquiesce,
in the Kellogg usuTpluion; that it is as
repu Snant to their wishes and inter6 sts
and sense Of Justice as it was the day of
its lawless establishment over them by
force; that they recognize the govern
ment elected by the people OF the State
as the only government entitled to their
support and respect - that of John
M'Enery and D. B. Penn, who are the
official heads; and they affirm that they
have been patient and silent since the
adjustment Of the last congress-, In the
hope and belief that the present con-
gress would listen to their grievance and
gra ut propsrireliei."
The committee on resolutions report
ed the following, which were adopted:
WHEREAS, Usurpation of the govern.
the perversion OF the functions of the
general government, is an evil which |
weighs heavily on the people OF this |
5 ate, and which is a constant menace |
to the perpetuity of representative insti- |
tutions, and of the Federal congress, |
whose duty it is to guarantee to the |
several States q republican form of |
government, and Of despotism and an |
sTchy so detrimental to the material in |
terests Of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, The Wheeler adjustment |
had no reference whatever to the elec. |
tions Of November, 1872, nor did it ever
extend to all the contested elections cf |
November, 1874, but was expressly lin
tied to the investigators of seventeen
contested seats in the house of repre-
sentatives, and two contested seats In
the senate, among newly elected SEN
stors; and
WHEREAS, Said adjustment never
pretended to ASCERTAIN or determine
anything beyond the status of these
contested seats Of the general assembly,
and inasmuch as the powers Of the leg
islature are sGriotly defined and linn
tied by constitutional provisions, and
it was not competent for them to
submit to arbitration the conflict
ing claims of the rival State
government, and as those who supported
said adjustment never intended or con-
templatsd that by any possibility said
adjustment should embrace any ques-
ton beyond that of contested seats in
the legislature; and
WHEREAS, The Radical parry of Lou
isiana, at whose prompting the said
usurpation has been posted upon this
State, has devised a most comprehen-
slve system CT measures through in
iquitou5 election and registration laws
aud an arbitrary returning board, with
prorogstives, and through
CENSUS returns-messures de-
Vised for the purpose of peIpetusting the
existen0e Of this l,ssS,pation, with which
it is thoroughly identified; and
WHEREAS, Said usurpatOry govern
ment has never been acknowledged by
the people o; Louisiana, and it does not
its precariOus tenure Of power
with their consent or willing support,
therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Democratic.C Conserva-
tive party of the State of Louisiana, in
assembled, That memorial
Of the people of Louisiana, praying for
relief at the hands of congress, be again
presented for their consideration.
Resolved, That the primary test Of
mem bership of the Democratic-C Con-
party of Louisiana, is an un-
relenting opposition to u3urpation, and,
without regard to past political afilia-
tiOns, all those who join in the crusade
against usurpatiJn are in full fellowship
in the party.
Resolved, That we advocate abolition
Of useless offices. more especially that OF
tax collector, which office should be re-
mitted to sberifs, and a reduction of
salaries, fees and pelquisites OF office,
and vigorous retrenchment in the ex-
penses Of the various departments Of the
city and State government.
ResO 'Ued, That we advocate substsn.
tial reduction Of ta1 alton, State and
and while we are in favor Of
meeting punctualIy the payment Of the
Legitimate Cebt OF Louisiana, we are
opposed to the recognition
Of dishonest and fraudulent obligations,
issued in the name CT the State, and we
pledge ourselves to make q thorough in
vestigation in the matter.
Resolved, That we advocate a re-
Iuction Of the exorbitant appropriations
for public printing and metropolitan po.
lice purposes, and demand that the
whole system of police and public print
ing be remoded.
ReSO!Ued, That We declare our hearty
opposition to all monopolies whatever.
ReSO' 'Ued, Thst we recognize and re.
affirm the Democratic doctrine that gold
and silver should be legal currency,
and are in favor OF return to a specie
Ossis as soon as it can be done without
injury to the material interest Of the
The convention then elected four del
sgates at large, and two from each Of
he six congressional districts, and the
'sme number OF alternates, to the Ma.
.ional Democratic convent n, and ad-
Ourned sine die.