The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1878-10-25

cratic Conservative convention as adopted at
Baton Rouge and New Orleans? :.
| Mr.. O.-l do; particularly the platform OF
the Democratlc-C Conservative convention as
adopted at Baton Rouge. The other has no
definite meaning
Rep What will be your policy if elected,
as to the monOpolies, especially as to the Lou
isiana State Lottery monopoly?
MI. OIL elected, | would vote for its lm~
| mediate repeal. This should be passed in the
| Legislature and the question Of the validity
OF the repeating statute left to the decision OF
the courts. The company, as ! understand,
claims that its privilege to carry on the
| lottery rests on o contract with the State 1or
which 1t has given and continues TO give q
consideration, and therefore that no law can
| be passed destroying Or in any manner in
| this Is correct, but In this case believe the
position to be untenable. Although SO far
as | know the point has never been
directly presented to the courts for adiudca--
tion; yet, the Supreme Court Of the United
States, in the case of Boyd VS.. Alabama, de-
cided in the year 1876, took occasion to say, en-
pnssnnt Mr.. Olivier took from his desk
volume Of one OF Otis reports, and, after
showed 1t to the reporterl: "We ore not pre-
pared to admit that it is competent for one
Legislature, by any contract with on lndl-
vldual, to restrain subsequent Legislature
to legislate for the public welfare, and to that
to suppress any and all practices tending to
corrupt the public morals
This" said Mr. Olivier, ''was lottery
case based on contract for which q moneyed
consideration was given, and the act confer
j ring the lottery privileges was declared to be
! unconstitutional, because it's subject was not
clearly exposed in Its title. The right, how
I ever, Of o Legislature to make such con-
tract, and it's inviolability against attack or
repeal by O. subsequent Legislature Was not
passed upon by the court, because not In is
sue, but feel satisfied from the ntmations
that were uttered by the judges, and which
have just read to you, that should the point
be made before them, they would maintain
the constitutlonality OF any act that Legis-
| lature may pass repeating the charter Of the
! Lottery Company. A wholesome fear of such
! q result may explain the attempts which the
company is said to be making to secure the
control Of the next General Assembly"
Rep.--.Are you in favor OF @ constitutional
! convention
| Mr. OF the proposed amendments to the
constitution are lost, then | am decidedly Of
| the opinion that q constitutional convention
should be called at an early day; but II they
should be adopted then don't see what ad-
vantage would be gained by holding q con-
ventipn just now that would compensate
against the expense and trouble Of convoking
it. These amendments taken as whole, be-
| lieve to be excellent, and I feel convinced
would, II adopted, afford very material relief
to our people. In fact, have not yet heard
what [ consider q sufficient reason for
voting, them down. The DEMOCRAT, II
| understand Its position correctly, op-
poses the amendments merely because
| they do not provide for the annihila-
ton Of existing nonopoies, but tonly prohibit
| their future creation | think, however. that
| II these mOnOpolies OF which we complain
| can be destroyed by q constitutional conven-
ton, so can they be by the Legislature. IT.
| on the other hand, they are protected by the
constitution Of the United States against tho
acts OF the Legislature, SO are they equally
against the attacks of q convention. If. how
ever, could be made to see that any sub
stantial advantage would be obtained by
holding convention, / would cheerfuIy ad-
vote for the amendments.
Bep.-What are your views as to the neces-
sity of q city charter, by which the taxes will
be reduced and the burdens upon the people
Mr.. O.-I believe the city OF New Orleans
should be subjected to the heroic treatment |
it is the only thing that will set the current
OF life once more courslng in her veins. 1t is |
an utter itnpossibility for the city to pay It's
existing indebtedness-and no one knows that |
better than its creditors. We should adjust the |
city deot according to its actual marketable |
value, "peaceably Ii we can, forciby il We
must refusal to pay the interest or other
equally cogent methods will no doubt
he devised to accomplish that end If |
the present high rate OF taxation on an ex~
cessive and exorbtant assessment be main- |
utterly. destroy the little value that
is still left In our real estate. |
| am also in favor of the passage of q law
that would apply the revenues of the city to |
the payment of its current Xpenses in prefer /
ence to all other debts. Our laws, from time |
immemorial, have always given privileges or
liens to servants, clerks and employees of all |
sorts on the propriety and effects Of their en-
p!oyers, and don't see why the same princi-
pie should not apply to the city, and why
similar preference should not be granted to
all of its employees, including the police.
school teachers and all others directly or in
directly in its seryce.
Rep-DO you advocate o. change in the
machinery Of the city government
Mr.. Dwell, in answer | will say that as
to the question OF q change from the bureau
system to the aldcrman's representation |
cannot give my views, because [ have not
at any conclusion. Of one thing anyhow be
assured, and that is that have never yet been
able to comprehend the process of reasoning
by which some Of our officers, for instance
the clerks of some of the district courts in
this city, are allowed to make from ten to
fifteen thousand or more u year land every bit
Of the work done by their deputies), whilst
the judges Of courts are subjected to the
heaviest strain upon both mind and body, and
get but $4,000 in warrants. Nor can [ sec the
use of both city and State having assessors
and collectors Of taxes, when one set would be
sufficient for all practical purposes. There
which the last Legislature had splendid
chance to accomplish, but which somehow or
other it failed to accomplish. l have, think,
your questions as fully as I could
have you any more to PROFOUND
Rep-Well, Mr.. Olivier, it would indeed be
4 great pleasure for me to listen to you fur
ther on any topic which you could suggest
out have exhausted my repertoire of ques-
lions, as much as can think OF.
Mr.. OFF such be the case, Mr.. Reporter
replied Mr.. Olivier, [ will then have the regret
to bid you, geood-by. and resume my work, yet
unfinished, for the day. {
and categorical answers to
his questions, our reporter left for "teld8 and
pastures new;" that is, started in search of
other candidates.
The next nominee on the Citizens ticket in
5erviewcd was Mr., J.. Andre Burthe, candidate ,
rom the sixth ward.
Our reporter met Mr.. Burthe as that gen.
,lemen was proceeding towards his Office and !
5he following conversation took place? !
Reporter-Mr. Burthe, as the nominee Of =
'he sixth ward on the Ctizens' ticket, what
Are your ideas on the following questions:
Do you fully and cordially indorse the plat I
orm of the Democratic Conservative conven- ,