The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-01-30
ALEXANDRIA AND THE SUPREME
COURT.

COURT.
We have once or twice before allu-
led to change in the country ses-
sons of the Supreme Court, so as
that one ofthe Summer terms should
be held at Alexandria. So far as ar
gumeut goes the subject is about ex-
hausted with what we have already
said. The Legislature being now in
session we deem the time opportune
to again call attention to the subject.
We are almost sure that with proper
energy on the part of our Senator
who so ably represents US in that
body, and the members from this
Parish in the House of Representa-
tives, the desired change can be
easily made. OF course some oppo
sition is expected from the place or
places to be left out, but it seems to
us that that might be very readily
overcome.
We notice that bill has already
been introduced proposing to have
term of the Court at Shreveport. If
the proposition is to change the
Monroe term to that place, or to es-
tablish an entirely new term, we
have no objection to it, but if it is
proposed to cut US off and substitute
Shreveport, we shall fight that bill
until the last day in the morning.
So far, we have not been able to find
out what is the Shreveport idea. If
we can't get the term here we hope
our Senator and Representatives will
insist upon leaving US as we are with
our appeals returnable at New Or
lhans. The parishes below the Falls
would be practically cut of entirely
from Shreveport in the Summer, and
we think it would be a very great
hardship on them.
Alexandria is about the geograph-
ical center of the State, and in easy
reach by land and water of more
Parishes than either Monroe or Ope-
lousas. Pointe Coupee, St. Landry,
Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Cameron, Sab
inc, Vernon, Natchitoches, VIM,
Grant, Caldwell, Catahoula and Rap,
ides, thirteen parishes, are all within
a radius of eighty miles from Alex
andria. If there was no term at
Shreveport and the rail road was
completed, we could add DeSoto, Red
River, Caddo, Bossier and Blenville
to the list, which would make this
the most important term out of New
Orleans. Even without the rail road
we believe the last mentioned five
parishes would rather come here than
go to Monroe, which place they now
reach by going from Shreveport to
Galveston, New Orleans, Vicksburg
and then by rail to Monroe. This is
certainly round about way of going
to heir term of the Supreme Court.
These are matters of detail, how
ever, which can be regulated by the
Legislature. We want the term here
and we have solid reasons to back
our demand. Geographical position,
business, the best Courthouse and
largest hotel outside of New Orleans.
We hope soon to see bill Introduce
to establish term here.
The Packet spread herself on
her last trip, and her managers de.
serve special notice therefor. Go
ing down she was IA hours behind
her usual time, had on full load;
she left here at 2 o'clock, P. NJ,
Thursday, reached New Orleans in
SO hours, and was back here Monday
morning before 10 o'clock, thus per
forming the round trip inside of foul
days. Here is the manifest Of bel
down trip: 1888 bales of cotton
1896 sacks of cotton seed, 16 hogs.
heads of sugar and IA barrels o
molasses.
We have received, with the com
pliments of H. NJ. Spofford, our U. S
Senator, who has been fraudulently
deprived of his seat in the U. S. Sen
ate, "his arguments before the Sen
ate Committee on Privileges ant
Elections, as delivered at Washington
in October & November, IT, a neatly
printed pamphlet of 90 pages" II