The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-04-19
DISAPPOINTED.

DISAPPOINTED.
New Orleans Daily City Item.l
The people of this State seem sadly
disappointed at the little that has been
accomplished by. their agents and re-
representatives. in the way of reform.
From the gall of bitterness into which
they were plunged by long years of
Radical misrute they were elevated in
to a condition of exhilarating hopeful
ness when they found that the rights
of self.government were again accorded
them, and their chosen delegates were
permitted to map out a new State
policy. This, they fondiy deemed,
was all that was necessary to secure an
entire abandonment of the oppressive
rule under which they had been so
grievously Inundated and impoverish-
ed, and they waited with cheerful
patience for the fulfillment of sacred
pledges and the dawn of better days.
One session of the reform Legislature
passed away and but little was accom-
plished. The excuse was that its
members had been trainmeled by COM
promises and complications which
were conditions precedent to Federal
recognition, and though the will was
good, yet impediments to wise action
were too serious to be overcome. And
still the word of promise was kept to
the ear, though kept, as events have
proved, to be broken to the hope.
Another legislative session was COM
menced and completed, and an extra
session, born of recreancy and incOm-
potency, was terminated amid mounte-
bank mirth, which mantled cheeks
that should have blushed with shame.
Still IaroonI1nI
were not made, and the pledges made
were not redeemed.
Such are the reasons for that out
burst of indignant disappointment
now yelling up from the hearts of the
taxpaying voters of Louisiana. Some
put the blame on Gov. Nichols, alleg-
ing that he was firm when he should
have been lenient, and submissive
when he should have arisen in the
majesty of a peoples might to put
iniquity to shame.
1t is clear that the Governor has not
taken COUNCIL Of the proper parties,
for his action has often been indiscreet,
if not positively detrimental to public
interests, and many of his appoint
ments have been made without due
lie at the foundation OF official fit
ness.
The complaints are, however, by no
means confined to the executive, as
the Legislature comes in for still more
pronounced measure of Indignation.
1t is charged that majority of the
members sold themselves to ring inter-
ests when any mess of pottage was Off
cred for their services, and signally
failed to carry out the high purposes
for which they were specially commits
stoned. No mOckery can be more gall
ing than the giving Of stones to men
who, while starving, demand bread.
1t adds to the bitterness of oppression
to know that the chains forged by ene-
mics are still more firmly riveted by
trusted friends, and to find official re-
creancy intensified by political treason.
Comparatively speaking, tho relief de-
manded by the people of the State has
been denied, and in such a manner as
to make the denial an insult to every
reasonable hope. Under these circum-
stances deep-seated determination
has arisen among taxpayers, without
distinction of race, color or condition,
that those who have proved unworthy
shall be retired from the roll of law
makers, and better men selected to do
the duties they have left undone.
Unless our load of taxation is, in
part at least, llIteu, nelther capltal nor
industry will be attracted hither: and
unless the laws are more economically
and effectively administered, honest
efforts can by no possibility compete
with forgery and fraud. There can be
no new departure in prosperity until
better conditions arc established. The
time has arrived. Let those who would
free themselves from incOmpetency
and fraud act on their own behalf.
SHARP PRACTICE.