The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-10-20
csrsrrrurrerAL CONVENTION.


terence BeHWFem 1899 anu hS1Ns
OpELousAs, October IA, 1877.
Editor Democrat writer, In com.
mon with many other Democrats OF this
community. followed with keen interest
and approval the bold, aggressive and
able course OF your journal during the
critical and trying period that preceded
The permanent establishment of peace,
home rule and constitutional govern
ment throughout our State; and to the
DEMocRAT is fully conceded large
share or the credit for the complete
overthrow Of Radicalism and the resto-
ration OF law and order to our distracted
people. But you, sir, allow me say,
have before you yet q work that Ia not
less important to the people of the
moral firmness and patriotism as signal
lied the struggle just ended. The In.
stallation OF O State administration of
our own choice, and the present honest
administration OF the State government
under itE auspices are, undoubtedly, a
very great blessing and relief, and the
peOple fully appreciate the change but
= great task, an imperative public duty,
yet stands before US to be done, q work
that will severely try the patriotism and
1elf-Rbnegation OF a large and honor.
Ablg class Of citizens, many OF whom
WithstOud the brunt OF the fierce war
1aEe now happily over.
We have, IL is true, gotten possession
Ut the functions and Offices OF the gov
ernment. but the State of Louisiana IL
not yet ruled by q government !" from
Che people, for the people," This fund
Anaental, Democratic principle must be
restored before we shall realize the full
measure Of the benefits that we have the
right to expect, and It cannot be re-
stored until the people In convention as
1embled substitute, for the present
= bAyonet instrument" constitution
that shall be OF their own choice and
hAndlwurk. It is the organic law that
4mpOses upon u9 our most grievous bur
dens and our Legislatures and State
0MCers are. to q great extent, powerless
" AFFORD relief. They are compelled to
conduct the government on the extrava.
giant scale ordained by the constitution,
md. unless we remove this obstacle, the
democratic party cannot carry out the
pledges which it has repeatedly made
20 the people. That great party Of re-
form and OF constitutional principles
0annot escape from the responsibility
which at this moment, and In the State
0f Louisiana, lies at its door.
10 cannot, 1t must not submit to sys-
tom Of usurpati0n and wrong simply be-
sause many OF Its disciples and parti-
0Ai1s are the present beneflciaries OF that
system, but In justice to it's history and
teAchings since It's origin, it must re-
assert and re-establish here upon Lou
1giana soil, the principal In It's entirety,
that Oil rightfll government is OF the
people and for the people-and to you,
Mr. Editor, rs the leader of Democratic
sentiment In this State, we look for
powerful aid In this great issue.
But perhaps IL will be objected that
those suggestions place the work of or
which It Is answered that, unless the
Democratic party of the State boldly
aCC6pts the responsibility, and gives to |
the people an opportunity OF framing
their own organic law, we will surely |
continue to live under the present odious
system.
Schemes OF reform are not self.opera-
tive; they are practicable In public |
Affairs only when backed up and sus-
tanned by organized political parties,
md We know OF no organization in this |
FORM the government except the Demo-
cratic party. It's mission is not simply
70 take possession OF the Offices, for
their honors and emoluments, but it is
70 serve the people, and it will accord |
we'll with It's time usages to in |
vite and cordially accept the aid OF all |
conservative citizens In this patriotic |
work.
But the purpose OF the writer in this
connection was to show how widely we
nave departed from the prudent and |
economical system by which the affairs
"a our State were regulated before the |
late war. when We were rich and pros
porous people.
The reports OF the Auditor OF the
state are mot accessible to the writer.
0xuept that for the year 1856. By that |
report the total valuation of taxable
property In the State was $321, 1881, 1892.
A. the present time 1t Is not more than
nnll that amount, though taxation has
tho rate OF the State tax Ia not much in
excess OF the rate then levied, but it
must be borne In mind that the State at
that time supported the expenses of
CnminaI prosecutions, and that while
tnt9 burden now falls upon the parishes
ND requires heavy local tax, the rate of
state taxes remains about the same;
n0nce the increased burden upon the
taxpayer.
Utatement OF the civil list Of the State
and other expenses, for the years 1858
and 1877, will show for itself:
-. 1853. 1877 |
Salary of Governor. Ssooo ssooo
rrtrnte Secretary of Cover
nor ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 900 ono |
4oseenger of the Governor 400 Tso
contingent expenses of the
Governor ................- 5000 IN no
Clerk Of Governor during ''
session of 1877 ............ 49,. 400
Iotal 1.................... &l0580 Sal 400
I0.560
|
Excess of 1877. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $40 eco
)alary OF Lieutenant Cover
i nor Tin 1858 about. 49,. 600 1000
otAi.s......-........... $500 $1,000