The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-10-24
OUR INTERVIEWS.

The interviews with the Democratic nomi
nees for the Legislature which We publish
this morning, will be found interesting read
ing by the constituents OF the several gentle.
men whose opinions and purposes we have
evoked. In obtaining those interviews We
have been prompted by desire and determi-
nation to satisfy the universal doubt and
suspicion aroused by the silent and apparent
~ dlsingenuous methods by which these nom
| nations were made. A number of tho nominees
have evidently been deferred by political con-
| sideratlons from speaking Us freely and
| specifically rs they might have dono under
| different circumstances, Yet, we think that,
| in most instances the constituents Of the
| various candidates will be able to form some
thing like n just conception Of the views and
purposes OF the men presented for their sup
port. All of these interviews we cannot com
| ment on, OF course, but due attention has
been paid some few of them.
Probably none Of these avowa1s will attract
SO much attention or be looked for with moro
s0licitude than that of Hon. Duncan r Ken
ner. He has promptly availed himself of the
provocation offered him In our editorial of
Wednesday, and in q written communication,
has answered categorically all Of the qlles-
tons propounded him. His statement il
frank and lucid, and covers the whole ground
He cnndldly confesses to the soft impeach-
ment of Senatorial aspirations. and tells how
he happened to entertain them. He also gives
his views in regard to the New canal lease and
We have no hesitation In saying that all he
has said upon this subject. charged In some
quarters TO have been the inspiration Of his
legislative ambition, meets our hearty ap-
proval. Upon this question his suggestions
are by far the most practical and honest we
have yet seen.
There Is one point, howeve', upon which
Mr.. Kenner's views are not 81 satisfactory
He says that he hns never read the charter Of
tho Lottery Company; that he has heard on
the streets that the company claims charter
and contract rights; that this Is n question
for investigation, and that his conclusions
thoreupon, after investigation, will con-
troll his action us # legislator in all
matters in which the lottery Is con-
cerned. In reaching his conclusions Mr..
Kenner declares that he will be con
troled, In the first place. by an unalterable
opposition to all monopolies, and. secondly. |
ny ~ GDtlFlGhOH ItlttL - ono Legislature has |
not the constitutional right to repeal Il char !
ter granted by u previous Legislature If It |
partakes of the nature Of O. contract or be- |
comes n vested right by the subsequent &c /
ion Of the contracting parties" He after
wards comedies, however, In tho plainast
language, that these questions are Of an
eminently legal and judicial character"
We have but one question to ask Mr. Kennor:
Does he believe that the Legislature Is the
proper tribunal to pass on u question purely
egal and judicial? The DEMOCRAT has
lever taken u position In opposition
o tho views Mr.. Kenner has presented. We
elevo, with him, that vested rights cannot
10 Invested, and that whether they exist or
lot is q judicial question. But We have con-
ended that these are questions for the courts
o decide and not for the Legislature. It IS q
rave question Of law, and the least tho Leg
stature can do Is TO bring 1t before the courts
nd that can be done In but one way-~-by re-
ealing the charter Of the Lottery Company
nd thus compelling in the courts. o final de-
OF the company's rights under
ne law. We assume and trust that Mr., Ken
er will so vote us to provoke this issue.