New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1878-09-21

State and its interests in this regard as II
they had had seats in the Parliament Of
the Canadian Dominion The experience
Of the past justifes us in affirming that
the South can expect no assistance from
the ascendeney of the Democratic party in
the councils of the nation We therefore
make our appeal to and place our reliance
upon the Republicans in Congress, and,
to such just minded Democrats as may not
be under the party whip. We ask, in com
mon justice to the South, that the follow
ing measures be adopted: 1. The con-
struction Of national railroad from the
Mississippi, south of the 321 parallel,
passing through the State of Texas to
port or ports upon the Pacific Ocean with
in the territory of the United States or of
the Republic of Mexico 2. The con-
struction, at national expense and under
national supervision, Of leyee for the re-
elamation and protection of alluvial lands
within the latitudes adapted to the culture
of rice and sugar 8. The grant of sub
vention from the national treasury ade-
quate to secure postal steam service be-
tween one or more Gulf ports of the Union
and the principal ports on the Southern
Atlantic Coast of this Continent,
s. We affirm with the National R epubh-
can party that the public school system
Of the several States is the buIwark of the
American Republic. We remark with
gratitude that the constitution Of our
State contains among the several com
plete guarantees to cur system of free
public schools, that clause recommended
in the National Republican platform pro
hibiting the application Of the public
funds to the support of private or seeta-
Ran schools. We notice the significant
fact that the Democratic party of Louis
lana is silent in the platform adopted at
the recent convention Of that party upon
the subject Of public education. We
arTaign the existing government for its
frequent violation of the constitutional
provisions which accord equal privileges
in the public schools to the children of
all classes Of citizens. We charge that
the Democratic party Of Louisiana is op-
posed TO the continuance Of the system OF
public education as is shown by the
declaration recently made by prominent
school official in this city announcing
that he was opposed to public schools,
which declaration has not been rebuked OF
repudiated by the Democratic party OF
the Democratic press. We charge that
the school authorities have, in many in
stances, neglected and refused to establish
schools in various neighborhoods and
communities throughout the State, al.
though taxes were levied and collected fol
that purpose.
G. In view ofthe impoverished condition
Of the State Treasury, we deem it inexpe,
dent and unnecessary to call constitu.
tional convention. If fthe,obiect Of those
who favor convention, be to improve
the machinery Of the government, thai
can be done by amendment. II cannol
be asserted that Republicans have PLACED
any obstruction in the way of snch amend
ments, This is shown by the fact thaf
the recent General Assembly submitted I
number ofimportant and excellent amend
ments, which were voted for indiscrim
inately by the members Of both parties
We endorse these proposed amendments
and ask Republicans to vote for them
But we apprehend that the object of thu
extreme Democrats in demanding con
stitional convention il not to improve th'
methods of administration; it is to chang
the substantial and essential groundwork
Of the government.
7. The Democratic party has been in &C
tuaI possession of the State goyernmen
for near two years. We assert that it ha
signally failed in its administration. BE
fore it came into'power il filed the publ
ear With cries for reform, and fed tn
hopes Of the people with promises tina
taxation should be reduced, and the bur
dens of government lightened. It ha
done nothing TO this end; on the contrar,
taxation has been increased, BY the in
crease Of assessnents{ the poor alone hav
been forced topay taxes, in order that tn,
higher officials should have their salarie
while the rich have not been oompelle
to pay, and consequently the minor of
GERS the teachers Of our children, an
the guardians Of the public peace, hav
been LEFT 70 atarve. They have throw
unwarrantable distractions Ia the way q
Republicans, in the way Of registration
On every hand the inefaeiency Of the gov
erament is remarked and its failures nc
dced We express tho belief that ID
leadsrs Of the Democratic party win I'm
it dinicult @ organize violence. ia ords
to defeat the win Of the majority and Il
tain their party ia power
8, inadequateness oftbe presentra rat
Of taxation te properly support the Coz
eminent y now sesn-and the mAnifea
inpropriety Of Increasing TIE rate render
It necessary shat among other needle
measures q reform the laws should Be !
amended IS to reduce the compensate
Of all officers not established by the Con
stitasion to the iAso 81 pay for smaller q
equiyaloht services ID dc business pui
suits Of the people.