New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-09-03
SUSPEND THE GAG LAW.

i s'e~ ~s~~>ssSSesSsSS e~e
gag law has been applied thus far to tn
Democratic candidate for Governor, VIII
rides forth attended by five most astut
attorneys, to wit: Messrs. Ellis, Ogden
McEnery, Jonas and Mari. Surely thi'
formidable troupe might be permitted t.
meet their opponents, but if Mr.. Nichols
can not be prudently trusted on the stump
why should this gag law be applied t.
other, and especially to the congressional
candidates? Surely all the people are en-
titled to know what the late Democratic
Representatives have done. No one Car
| be SO brave as to assert that the acts O
these Representatives shall not be brought
in question, and in comparison with those
who may aspire to succeed them. Under the
gag law, however, Democratic candidate
for any Office may make an ex-parte defense
of his own votes or throw unmerited OF
even unintentional imputation upon the
motives Of his opponent, without oppor.
tunity of explanation or defense. We
protest against an adoption of the tactics
of Shreveport in this city. 1t does not
suit the policy of commercial city to
denounce in society and in business all
who may differ with them in political
opninion. It is not American. It is very
far from Southern to separate the parties
in armed bands, to refuse all communica-
ton, and to conduct political hostilities
according to the practice Of bushwhackers
rather than under the laws of civilized
political warfare.
We have this m olive of duty in making
this demand for discussion before the
people. We are to elect Representatives
to the State Legislature. Let US hear if
they are fitted by knowledge Of our inter-
ests to represent them. Much is said of
reform. Will not the Democratic Central
Committee permit discussion by which
We may compare the abilities of those to
whom this and other great subjects will
be committed?
There is an especial reason why the
Democratic Congressman should be un-
muzzled, and relic we'd of the non-inter-
course restriction. Louisiana has import
ant interests pending before Congress.
She was refused by Democratic House of
Representatives every demand save for an
investigating committee.
The Democratic House of Representa-
tivss amended the tariff by admitting su-
gar and rice, the pr oduct Of The Ha,oaiian
islands. duty free, into the United States.
This taste of free trade alarmed our plan
ters and laborers greatly. Some of the
Democratic local press here ignored,
some have palliated the effect of this ON
nous treaty. The REPUBLICAN, the ear
lest and most constant opponent of the
repeal of the protection on sugar and rice,
has taught that the effect Of that special
repeal of protection was not at an end.
We said in very recent issue that we
we're in daily expectation that
A demand will be made by other coun-
tries with which we have treaty relations
and which cOun tries produce any of the ar
ticles admitted duty free from Hawaii to
be subrogated to all the advantages of that
most Favored nation"
That our prediction was not precipitate
Was shown by the protest Of the Belcher
Sugar Refining Company, of St Louis,
Igainst the assessment and payment Of
luty, on the ground that by reason Of re-
ent enactment of Congress admitting
ugars free from duty from the Hawaiian
stands, the same product from the
sland Of Cuba is, under existing treaty
POPULATIONS with Spain, entitled to free
ntry into the port of New Orleans. 1t is
Ilso claimed that the port of New Or
cans is entitled under the constitution to
he benefit Of any regulation of commerce
r revenue given to any other port Of the
United States.
1t will be noted that this protest may
lot properly come from any except the |
governments having treaty relations with |
he United States. This the court will |
ecide; but in case Spain should secure |
Ter admission Of SIS, 600, 900 Of sugar
luty free into the United States, she |
you'd expect to save to the producers Of |
,uba the whole of the American duty, |
which, at about twenty per cent, would |
mount to about SIS, 100000, gold. Per-
APPS our planters and laborers may like
o know the precise effect of free sugars at
his port. The total import of foreign
ugar into the port of New Orleans the
asst year was about equal to $4,000 Of
ur hogsheads, almost entirely the pro-
uct of Spanish colonies. The sugar
lay be estimated in round numbers at
bout one million Of dollars. The par
es directly interested can judge for
lemselves what would be the effect upon
ouisiana capital and industry invested in
agar culture, if Spain shall succeed in
cling the sugar of Cuba and Porto Rico
uty free on the levee of New Orleans
The discussion Of this vital question
IN not be ex-parte. The Democratic
lanter and the Republican laborer are
like interested. There should be con-
renee, and the gag law and the social
order should be suspend.
], in order that each side may bring all
S influence to bear in restricting the
peration Of this Sandwich treaty as was
tended. Here comes up the radical
ifference between the Democracy and
le Republican Wings. The frs. are on
.inciple OppOsed to prOtectiOn-excent |