New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-31
THE LEaISLATURE.

THE LEaIsLATURE.
The General Assembly will convene
tomorrow, if nothing happens to pre-
vent it Certainly nothing is expected,
and it is difficult to conceive what could
happen to make much difference in the
organization of the Legislature. Usually,
the two opposing parties come together,
each with programme which they expect
to carry out. Thus far, however, nothing
in very definite shape has been developed
or made known, beyond the natural and
reasonable desire to effect speedy organ
ization, quietly and according to law.
So far as the Republicans are con-
cerned there appears to be no formidable,
if any, opposition to the election Of Hon.
NJ. Hahn, of st. Charles, as Speaker. We
understand he is the choice of an informal
caucus of the party which was held re-
Gently, and this action is likely to be to-
day confirmed in more definite manner.
Mr.. Hahn was elected Speaker at the be-
ginning of the session of 1875, and con-
tinued to discharge the duties of the posi-
ton in manner highly acceptable to both
parties, until the mutations following the
unfortunate and ill-advised Wheeler com.
promise changed the character of the
House and created q necessity for reor-
ganizstion. The Republican members
passively submitted to the virtual dis
memberment of the party 80 far as
the House was concerned, and the
introduction of Democrats as members
who notoriously failed to receive q major
ity of the votes in their respective dis
tricts. Tho people, at the late election,
rectified these errors and reafirmed the
verdict of 1874, which was wrongfully re-
versed by the Wheeler compromise. In
every district where q Republican was
ousted to make room for Q Democrat the
popular vote has returned Republican,
thus showing that the party leaders of
1876 gave up too much in the interests of
"peace and good feeling, which by the
way were never fully realized.
There is fitness Of things in coming
back as near as possible to the statu quo
previous to this unnecessary and fruitless
surrender. Senator Crozier can not, per-
haps, be restored to his seat which was
wrongfully taken from him, though his
district has since disapproved his eject
ment by returning the Republican candi-
date, Mr.. Cage. But it will be quite
proper to restore Mr.. Hahn, who has been
reelected by his constituents almost with.
out opposition. Without disparaging the |
merits of any aspirant for the position,
We can safely say that he has no superior
in all the qualities required in Speaker.
learned in the law, pos
sessed of great natural abilities. of ready
impassioned in the midst of de-
bate, and one of the best judges in the
State of men and their capacity, he is
fitted for the always difficult
md trying duties of presiding officer over
IN assembly of men who are usually more
oroverbial for zeal than knowledge of
or other written rules.
The duty of choosing two United States
Senator's will devolve upon the Legisla-
ure early in the session. There are nu-
nerous candidates, about whose qualifca-
ions we suppose there may be an honest
livision of opinion. The members Of the
legislature must settle such questions.
But we desire to remind our friends that
t is of the utmost importance that the
member for the short term should be
specially distinguished for character,
bility and experience in political affairs.
lie will, if admitted at all, take his seat
after his election. The per-
licking questions which will arise in Con-
ress before the close of the present ses-
ion will require more than common
uality of craftsmanship to grapple with.
is important therefore, if We have q
oan of distinguished ability, q skillful
dvocate, q clear-headed debater, with all
be material facts and figures of our States
istory at his fingers ends, he should be
emit, whether he be one of the select
,embers now known as aspirants or not.
he next two months will form moment
US issue in the history of the republic.
.ouisiana needs two strong men to repre-
ent her in the Senate, and We hope tho
legislature will succeed in finding one of
hem without much difficulty.