The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-07-19


so severely condemned by the Vindica-
tor. This, by the by, reminds us of
that much abused phrase: 81 caught
a cold ;" while the fact is that we were
caught by the cold. So is it with mon
opolies and rings. They do not wait
for tho Legislatures to come to them,
but they, like sensible men, go
wherever the Legislature may meet
no matter II ii Is IN u title country toacn,
under the pleasant perfume of the wild |
flowers of the woodland Valley
Hoansu Courier.
The Courier does not, however,
answer the indicators main point,
to-Wit: that most of tho States have
their capitols in interior towns and not
in their principal commercial cities.
Whether the States have been ssforced
to transfer their capitols to interior
towns, because OF tho corrupt influences
centering in large commercial cities, as
stated by the Vindicator, or not, it is
a certain fact that the very best influ-
ences of tho large cities have not been
used, or if so unavailingly, to force the
people of such States to transfer their
capitols from the interior towns to the
large cities. Such a change was made
when Baton Rouge ceased to be the
Capital of this State, but how and why
was it done This was removal ri
ct a'7nis, TO which the people of the
State did not consent, not being con-
suited.
| We are prepared to assent to the
Curriers' theory that monopoIies and
rings do not wait for legislatures to go
to them, but they go to legislatures.
| We saw this frequently demonstrated,
before tho war, when the capitol was
at Baton Rouge. Boats not unfre-
quently were chartered and supplied
bounteously ut New Orleans with
viands and various other stores, for the
purpose of visiting Baton Rouge and
the legislature. Champagne flowed
freely and lobbyists were plentiful ere's
there. But what was another signifi-
cant fact? 1t was just this-thesc rings
had to como from New Orleans. Had
to come, because the legislature was
not IN New Orleans, and from Ncuc Dr.
leans, because that city was, even in
those purcr days Of her existence, the
general rendezvous of that particular
: class of men who arc always affecting
: legislation with obnoxious laws. The
New Orleans lobbyist had to immigrate
then to accomplish his honorable inten.
lions, while now he can ply his seduc
tive arts and stay at home. When he
reached Baton Rouge, he missed much
of the gay life of his native heath
, yawncd, and sworc over the dullncss
d, of the Capital, and pretty soon packeC
= his baggage and returned to New Or
, leans. Not all tho lobbyists were from
, that city, we admit, but the danger
:, Gus, Unsuitable, persistent class was
We presume this class did not lcav,
y home when the Capital went to them
:, nor that it is any the less persistent O
dangerous ut home than when away.
Is it not true, rs q matter of histor,
in legislation, that the General Assem-
9 bly, is called upon with rock less extrav
4 agance in New Orleans to attend t
n other business than that of making
@ laws? There is man to see up tn
It street, and the legislator has hardl,
q had time to swapa few words wit
his first man, before he has a call to Sc
q q second away down the street. The
it he must go round to bank, or to sec hi
IS commission merchant, just minute.
l. Next, "our boat has just got in, an
If he must sec who came down on hel
IS By this time, our member is faggc,
out, and he proceeds, like n scnsibl
man, to cool or ut tho Lake, in orde
70 when the House or Senate-adjourns
=. - which it has probably done in his at
!, sence, and, no doubt, from the unforc
seen trouble Of not having quorum
:. Our jaded legislator, physically reste
i but mentally disquieted, believes II
will so to the committee meeting afte