The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-02-13
THE LEGISLATURE.

buOSS vi iNioiu4 ShN SAASA
so much needed by the people of the
State. We have seen some evidences
Of genuine desire to respond to the
wishes of the people, but so far all
efforts in that direction seem to be
barren of practical results. This
seems to be caused more by divis-
ion of sentiment as to what is need
ed than by any carelessness or want
of desire to comply with the wishes
of the people. We are ready to ac-
knowledge that it is vain to expect
the Legislature to make US prosper
Gus after failure of our crops and
that it would be equally unwise for
US to expect it to remedy the evils,
whatever they are, that have brought
distress and disaster upon the PEG
pie Of the whole country. But there
are measures of relief which it seems
to US it right to pass and certain it
is that the people are looking to it
for relief from the grievous burdens
they have had to bear for many long
years. 80. ga,
The first thing they expect is a
reduction of the rate of taxation
Fourteen and a half mills tax in
times as fearfully hard as these is
very burdensome, and while tho re.
mission in penalties has been appre-
ciated and due credit given therefor,
the burden is still heavy. With the
debt and levees to provide for it may
not be possible to reduce the rate,
but if it can be done, it should be eff.
fected at once. If the Moffett Reg
lister or any similar plan can he made
to take the place of a portion of the
direct tax, as it seems to have done
in Virginia, it should be adopted
The same system Of taxation might
be applied to sales of tobacco aud CT.
gars with profit.
The next step should be to repeal
all laws granting monopolies. The
Louisiana State Lottery Company
the Sugar Shed Company, the
Slaughter House Company and all
other like burdens should be abol.
ished. These are measures calcula.
ted to restore the confidence of the
people in the government and will
have a good effect. The whole sub
ject of the Judicial Districts should
be overhauled and so arranged as at
the same time to ensure prompt
execution of the law and large saw
ing of unnecessary taxation. The
number of districts can be very
much reduced without detriment to
the public service, and this is a mat
ter left by the Consti' u.ion to tie
Legislature.
A Constitutional Amendment pro-
viding for biennial sessions of the
Legislature and another abolishing
all mileage and paying only actual
travelling expenses would be accept
able TO tue people and should be sub
mitted by the present Legislature
Whatever Legislation may be neces-
sary to take the filling of vacancies
from the Governor and restoring it
to the people ought to be passed
without delay. The office of Tax
Collector ought to be abolished and
the collection Of taxes given to the
Sheriff at not more than one. b alf the
fees now paid. This is a measure
imperatively demanded in the inter
est of reform. Whatever NAV be
the matter with the public school
system should be looked into and
remedied.
Coming direct from the people and
being acquainted with their wants
the members of the Legislature
ought to be able to tighten their
burdens by other statuary laws, and
they must know and feel that the
people are watching them closely,
and that they will be satisfied with
nothing short of genuine reform and
practical results.
The Poor OLD TRAMp.-This is
the title of a new and beautiful song
and chorus, by Will L. Thompson,
author of the famous "Gathering
Shells from the Sea Shore" Deal
ers are ordering it by the thousand.
The whole country will soon be sing
ing "The Poor Old Tramp" Price,
with handsome picture title, 40
cents. Published W. L. Thompson
and Company, East Liverpool, Ohio.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
-EDoUARD We'll, of the Upper
Warehouse, has been on o business