The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-13
HOW TO DO IT.

We have heard quite blast OF trumpets
over tho resolution Of Hon. r.. FL Ryland.
proposing that the members Of the Legisla-
ture shall voluntarily relinquish large
part of the compensation to which they are
entitled under tho constitution and existing
laws. We have no special objection to DR..
Ryland's proposition except that 1t Is utterly
impraeticable; that, If 1t were practicable, 1t
Is in the nature of temporary expedient and
does not look to permanent and fixed re-
trenchment of the expenses of the State
If the members Of the Legislature are will
ing IL contribute three dollars per day Of
their pay TO the State, we shall certainly enter
no objection to their generosity and public
spirit But If they choose to do this. there
Is little use of formal joint resolution
while, If they do not choose, hundred acts
and resolutions could not compel them to do
1t. Toward this singular resolution there
fore, we stand in a neutral position, neither
condemning 1t nor urging Its passage. We
protest, however. that those who decline to
support ii shall not be ranked by two or
three journalistic blatherskites and newspa-
per frauds, rs opposed 10 apolicy OF reform.
No one is, more than the DEMOCRAT, i'm
pressed with the fact that the Legislature is
by far too expensive and unwieldy body
and that Its members must be reduced and
the present mileage system broken up. But
we hold that 80 important a reform must be
done systematically through regular consti-
tutional legislation. The resolution Of the
Representative from West Feliciana does not
propose any such thing; as we have said 1t Ia
In the nature of an expedient apt to catch the
popular fancy at the outset, but insuring no
permanent relief
Now what the people demand Of this Gen
eral Assembly Is, well digested, permanent and
far reaching reform legislation. And we know
of no more appropriate object to be first taken
up than that at which Dr. Ryland has struck
Under tho constitution as 1t now stands the
Senate consists of thirty-six members, while
the House cannot be reduced to less number
than ninety members, nor increased to over
one hundred and twenty. The present House
numbers one hundred and twenty. The CON
stitution requires that the Legislature.
thus composed. shall meet once every year.
Nov beth branches Of the Legislature would
DO fully as effective, If not much more effec-
tive, If their numbers were largely re-
duced. Again, there Is no reason why the
Legislature of Louisiana should meet once
every year. We could get on quite as well;
the laws would be as vigorously enforced,
and the public interests as well protected, if
the Legislature assembled only once every
two years. II emergencies of an unusual and
extraordinary character should arise, the
Governor could call the Legislature in extra
session.
We suggest, therefore, as q permanent and
real reform measure, that an amendment to
the constitution be prepared reducing the
number Of the members Of both houses OF the
Legislature and providing for biennial SEES
sions OF that body. 1t Is very easy to see the
vast sum Of money that would be saved to
the taxpayers annually by this measure. We
trust the Legislature will take early action
in this matter, for this Is what the people
want, and 1t Is what they will have.
The scandalous system of mileage may be
changed by an act Of the Legislature. We
presume that no member will oppose the
abolition of 50 outrageous and palpabke a
fraud. One of the first measures of the Legis-
ature should be to wipe so scandalous law
from our statute books. In place of the pres
ent mileage, let each member be paid eight
dollars per day during the time necessary
for him to travel to the capital and return
home.
We are opposed to cutting down the pay Of
members of the Legislature. Eight dollars
per day is not excessive pay. Gut down THE
Senate and House to the number of members
required to represent the State, and pay them
u fair price for their services.