The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-03-08
THE EXTRA SESSION.
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The proclamation Of the Governor conven.
Ing the Legislature In extra session will not
be received at first by the people with favor
but we believe the Executive has acted with
great wisdom in taking this step.
The sixty days Of the regular session expired
at "a o'clock last night, with little of the
needed legislation accomplished Indeed
were the Legislature to dissolve now the
gravest consequences would befall the State
and the Democratic party. We should be
left with none of that real reform legislation
which the public interests SO much demand.
and this would be, considering the sit
uation. a great calamity to the State.
For the meagre results OF 40 many pipfes-
sons and go many pledges; for the disap-
pointment of 50 many hopes, and the almost
absolute failure OF SO long and heroic strug-
gle on the part Of the people, the Democratic
party would be held responsible; this would
| be heavier load than we could well carry.
| and II required to shoulder IL we might well
| anticipate great and dangerous disatTcc-
| tion IN our ranks In tho approaching can
vasa.
We are gratiiied, therefore, at the action Of
| the Governor in calling an extra session II
we really believed that the Democrats In the
Legislature were responsible for tile failure
OF the regular session. we should think It
better and wiser to permit the body to adj
iourn and return home without further ex-
pense to the State. But Il il not true that
the whole or the greater part OF the RESPONSE
bility rests upon the Democrats There has
been unfortunately woful lack Of unanimitv
Radicals have been chiefly instrumental In
thwartins the work Of the session
The House of Representatives is very nearly
evenly divided, and the Radicals. under tho
astute leadership Of Warmoth, reinforced by
few lottery members, have used their large
power to defeat every wise and proper meas
ufe. The single purpose of Warmoth one of
the most consummate trirkstefs in Southern
politics, has been to bring Legislature con
tanning majority of Democrats into ridi-
Guile and odum, by thwarting the majority In
attempting to carry out every pledge of re-
form they have made. There s ADLER and bet
ter leadership among the Democratic mem
bels. but their want Of unity and experience
has contributed largely TO the success of
Warmoth's shrewd but dishonest scheme.
attendant failures and humiliations, have in
spired the real Democrats III both houses with
determined purpose to enact some beneficial
measures and also tended to unite and con
soidate their power. II, therefore, the proper
measures for consideration are taken hold of.
we are hopeful that the extra session will
adjourn amidst the plaudts of the people, In
stead of the reprpaches which were heaped
upon the closing days of the regular session
Ii our Democratic friends will not deem us
impcrtinent. we would suggest that strict
caucus be organized; that the most inpor-
tant bills be discussed there, that the most
skillful parliamentalians be put in the lead,
and that, when they meet In session. every
man abide by the decision Of the caucus and
force the reform bills TO an issue by the most
vigorous and summary proceedings. The
dlatofy tactics of the Republicans should
not be permitted to interfere with the great
work which ought to be done In the next few |
days; the tricks of Warmoth should not be |
be permitted to thwart the measures required |
for the relief Of this long-sufreling State |
Let the speeches on the Democratic side be |
made and the differences of opinion among
tho reformera healed in the caucus.
and the voting promptly done In
session Tho Democratic members must
bear in mind that the fate of the Democratic
party In the next canvass and from their
the good of Louisiana. de-
pend on the record they may make IN
The next fifteen days. The failure and humila-
lion of the last sixty days must be redeemed
BY viglant. brilliant and thoroughly
reform legislation in the extra session.
Warmoth fully realizes this fact, and he will
move heaven and earth TO defeat or delay every
reform measure that comes up, and he has a
following sufficient to accomplish his end, UNI
ess the strictest discipline is observed in the
Democratic ranks Had the Legislature adj
ourned last night he and tho other Radical
chiefs, IN fact every man who wishes harm to
he Democratic party, would have been great
y rejoiced. The extra session is their defeat.
Let the Democrats see to it that they do not
,onvert that defeat into another and to them
moro glorious victory