The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-22
IHllE l,EFNlstt.

IHuE NEF0isNt.
The present session ef the Legtslh-
tsirs is rapidly approaching its close
VERY little has been done toward The
contamination al those great reforms
which are essential I'd the rehabilitation
III the business and industries Of the
fstate. Some bills reducing the salaries
iii book keepers and clerks III the de-
tnrtments have been passed. and eotne
measures Of real reform are Under dis
eatsBioni The indications, however, are.
Tint The session will not be d success
Kfusn II reform standpoint and that. IN.
less III shalt be determined to have am
extra session of considerable length,
Msanv grave evils which have grown
Into o,ir body polite will continue to
Iiunfish b year longer, and many Ak.
tasAsHaant, useless and hutthensohie
nFlices must survive The death ef naai-
aAllsin n twelve months.
WE do not think, however. TINT the
fMulslatufe can be Justly censuted for
LII failures. The extraordinary politi-
rAl pondilien Of the state has weighed
heavily upon every department Of the
government, and retarded oil vigorous
ana healthful action. Nevertheless, II
III not illstimed to suggest that, II
aha Legislature hopes To relieve the
community OF the fearful burdens
which eight years Of corrupt and villain.
uAs legislation have saddled upon 1t,
mfad give Dur trade and industries
mil and free opportunity to grow and
prosper, there IL heavier and broader
work To be done than II has yet es-
nAyed. The mere pruning ofoilieial sala.
fies whiting down here and there,
WIN avail little. 1he substance Of the
HtAte lii being eaten out, and Its best LII.
snrests weighed down by huge and inilu-
siatial inunopolies and unless these are
cFushed by the ringing blows OF the
Legislature swinging the Cyelopean
hAmmefs OF genuine reform. we eat,
hppe for little relief
Hi Iii beyond question, that useless Of
sicae have multiplied Ia the State
tiaAtin many instances salaries are tuo
hiRt, and that In ether instances there
hre extrAvagant salaries where there
uuNht It'd be no salaries al nil. But all
these things are but the coverings OF
ahe tree. Cut up the roots and the hlce-
soma will be easily swept away.
The rate Oh regular taxation Ia the
state In not now oppressive; and indeed,
htrh taxation for legitimate purposes Ii
nna necessarily fatal 10 public pros.
perity. The taxation which Ia Cypress.
inx this city and State Ii OF an indirect.
insiiious and, TO the general eye, unno.
kieeable character. YET IL reaches the
pocket Ill every citizen, and. while II
brushes out the proper and healthful
uompetitiea OF capital and labor, en-
riches favored individuals and rings.
The evils which weigh heaviest upon
this people. and without the destruea
item of which there can BIO no complete
relief and no full and free revival OF
puhlic prosperity, are the monepolies
which have been organized and char
tered hy the legislatures OF the last
eight years,
The people OF New orleans pay an
nnally to the slaughterhouse Company
tribute to the amount Of Ave hundred
thousand dollars. And for whats The
Invee Company have received aud
absorbed sa, 2ee, 25o Of the money of the
people and IL demanding ~ a quit
nlaim nearly two millions mere, and for
whata Fer heaping up scattering ens
bankments at double the price which
honest contractors charge for such
work. Tho act creating the Crescent
Dily uas Light Company was piece oi
Matchmaking legislation, and the iicti'
tious stock OF that concern ill.,
xornorated into the stock OF
tlae exlating Gas Light Com
many To the amount Of nearly a
millien anl.a hall OF dollars. constitutes
4 fictitious capital, the interest Oh
which tho Gas Compans taxes the PEG
nl, ID Ray. The Louisiana Lottery
company il d monopoly for the enoour.
Arenent os gambling, and which \
burden and d curse to nv community,