The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-28
HON. LOUIS BUSH.
HIS VIEWS ON EXTRA COMPENS ALTON
AND HARMONY In DEMOCRATAC-
CONSERVATIVE RANKS.
NEW ORLEANS, April 81, 1878.

NEW ORLEANS, April III, 1878.
Editor Democrat Paradoxicat es it may
appear to the sceptics, l am grateful for
your article entitled ''The Auditor and the
Late Speaker published in your edition OF
the twenty-frst instant, for good may De
extracted from it to the advantage OF the peo-
pie and of the Democratic Conservative party
of Louisiana, resulting in consigning to the
oblivion they so justly merit those who have
been unfaithful to their trust. or who have
been playing the demagogue.
Your structures are certainly very pointed,
and perhaps intended to irritate, TO which
have no objection to urge. in SO far as they
are specific, except to remark that IL mas
been customary in political circles TO leave
fauit-finding to adversaries. But to Gil such
portions as are conveyed by inuendoes, as II
there Iurked somewhere some secret crime
which vol, could unearth by telling the whole
story T must object. and do. most empbati-
rally. call upon you to disguise nothing, how
ever much it may detraet from my fictitious
Ianrels. Nor can subscribe to your asser-
fion that there Ia evidence to show that the
Epeaker Interested mself In insisting upon
reversal of the negative vote, for the simple
reason that sought no one nor inquired into
the views of any member, and had no CONVEX
station with any member Of the House on the
subject except with Dr. Hammond and some
other members, whose names do not now
recall. who were In the Speakers room, to
which I had retired on vacating the chair.
when the question OF reconsideration was
taken up, who inquired Of me what was then
going on In the House, and to whom replied
by giving the information desired. Beyond
this have had conversation with no one on
the subject, except with Gen. Young, princi-
pally urging him to make a report, particu-
larry as to paying certain creditors of the
state. for repairs, and DR.. Trezevant, the
worthy clerk of the House, all Of whom, so
far as am concerned, are not only at liberty
but earnestly requested, to state everything
that may have occurred. and in which par
ticipated.
These incidental questions removed, now
proceed to consider the gravamen of my
offense the grievance complained of, and ask
that II my explanation is not thorough and
complete the censure justly deserve may be
inflicted upon me; but if my justification is
made good, / ask, in justice to the people, that
YOU will display equal zeal towards others as
YOU have towards me, look up the records,
and If you find anything any where some
kind friend might perhaps help you, Ii pei
sistently urged looking to wrong appro-
priatfon OF the public funds, expose it to the
public gaze, SO that others may be given the
opportunity Of iustifying themselves, ii they
can
Again. before discussing the main question,
ct US state it fairly. for frequently words i'm
properly used tend to msead the mind. AS
usually stated, the question is put as extra
COMPENSATION for certain services. which. as
applicable to those who have a fixed salary, is
correct, but which is wrongly put, and should
be CONDENSATION for extra services as regards
those who, as the Speaker, as read the law,
have no fixed compensation during vacation
Thus, constitutional officers who are receiving
continuously and daily at the rate of from
eight to twenty dollars per day, whether they
are occupied or not, receive extra compensa
tion when additional allowance Is made tt
them but the Speaker, as | have read ant
applied the law, who during vacation receives
no compensation, Is compensated for extra
services when allowance ~ made him fol
services performed during the recess, and
therefore does not receive extra oOmpeGsa.
ton, but is compensated for extra services.
Having thus removed q few of the obstacles
impeding our way, let us proceed.
accepted a seat in. and the vice presidency
Of the State Central Committee, and the
Craftsmanship of the executive committee OF
said central committee, and seat in and the
Speakershp OF, the House of Representatives
Of the State IF honsi t on the following g
Democratic-C Conservative party, twenty-sixth
July. 1876, and subsequently by my ward, the
valiant and ever reliable tenth, viz:
STATE PLATFORM:
eve hereby pledge our party to the salts
faction of all the legal obligations issued by
the State OF Louisiana; to the most strenu
o,ls efforts In the direction of reform and an
economical administration of the govern.
ment, and especially to the abolition of all
unnecessary public offices; to the reduction
of fees and salarfes Of officers to the standard
of q fair remuneration and the consequent re-
ductlon of taxation to the lowest possible
limit commensurate with the necessary ex.
neraes Of the government and the preserva
Hon Of the public faith, and to the cultailment
OF the dangerously large patronage of the
chief executive OF the State"
WARD PLATFORM:
a3. That we, recognize the watchword OIL
this campaign rs being the greatest need Of
the hour and while earnestly desiring genu
Inc reform In all governmental affairs ma
tional. State and municipal hereby pledge
ourselves to work zealously and unitedly for
the accomplishment of this end.
80 That our aim and endeavOr shall be TIC
work tremendously for the common objects
presented in the campaign before us, and we
pledge ourselves to stand shoulder to shout.
der as one man, determined by our united eff
forts TO place IN POSITIONS OF nohof ana JruS'
only men OF real worth, irreproachable char.
acter and unquestioned integrity
Upon these platforms | was elected to the
Legislature and must confess that accept
ed these declarations OF principles in good
faith and without any reservation whatsoever
The history of the political struggle of 1875
and the final establishment of the govern
mept OF the people, headed by the pure ant
incorruptible Nichols, is too well known IL
make 1t necessary for me to enter into details
here; but there are a few facts bearing upoI
the question under consideration which
must bring to light to make more eompre
hensive my humble efforts in the direction o
the declarations of the platforms above refer
red to. By reference to the statutes of thu
State found the following appropriations:
1875, D 40. IAN appropriation for the con
tingent expenses of the Speaker of the Hous
of Representatives, as SUCH and rs membe
of the Board of Liquidation and member o
the Board OF Printing, etc, the sum of on
thousand five hundred dollars (Si500)"
1876, IS. Contingent expenses of tn