The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-10-24

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New Canal.
TO the Editor Of tho Democrat:
/ recognize to tho fullest extent the right of
the constituent to know the opinions of his
Representative, on all questions affecting the
public interest and which may be the subject of
Legislative action; hence / unhesitotingly and
promptly respond to the call made by you upon
mo In your issue of this day, tWenty-third OF
October.
In accepting a nomination at the hands of tho
Democratic party l do SO as IL Democrat of
many years standing. In full accord with the
principles and policy Of that party rs expressed
In its platform enunciated by the Baton Rouge
Convention In August last do not consider the
principles there and then enuncated as mere
matters Of form. but as the rule and guide of
my action IS legislator. Should | be honored
with g. seat In the State Senate I will deem 1t
my duty to vitalize those principles aud to- give
them efficiency by suitable legislation. Your
article. however, calling on me TO- express my
views covers some pOlnta not specially alluded
to in the Baton Rouge platform. shall respond
to them frankly.
shall vote for the callng Of n constitutional
convention, not only because this is one OF the
requirements OF the Democratic platform, but
| also because It 10 one Of my deep seated con
a thorough revision of the fundamental law;
in fact, q con titutiOn in keeping with tho ad
ynnced progress OF the age and better suited
than the present one to the changed condition
OF things since 1868.
When the Dior,,t register law was being dis
cuased In tho Legislature last winter [ advised
all the members to whom happened to speak
on this subject to vote against it. am still Of
opinion that this law was il-advised unneces-
sary, and ought t. be repealed.
During the eighteen or twenty yeare that
represented q country constituency In tho State
Legislature. both House and Senate. and during
the fOur years I represented The then Second
Congressional District, extending from Canal
street to the lower extremity Of the Lafourche
|
have voted in all that time for u monopoly Of
any kind. I have ever keen, and am now, op-
posed to the granting OF monopoies, and will
cortai My vote for the repeal of any monopoly
injurious to the material interests or to the
morals of the community. If this can be
this last proVsO to cover any nrriere penSee. Or
because Of any disposition to conceal any ute
rlor purpose; for am absolutel y uncommitted
subject; no one has ever dared to approach me
to secure such pledge. ] think that ono Legis-
lature has not the constitutional right to repeal
a charter granted by q previous Legislature. II
1t partake5 OF the nature OF Il contract or be-
comes vested right by the sub-equent action
Of the contraeting parties | have I!t, mayer
the Slaughter House or Lottery companies.
not expecting to be called upon to decide any
regard to both Of these companies are very de-
cided. but my wishes to repeal an obnoxious
law, and my Vht as legislator to do so, with
out some breach Of contract, il contract there
be- on their part, ts very questionable. Do not
understand me that think either of these com
panies has o We ted right. but understand. In
they claim something Of the kind. | think this
claim is d fair ubject for investigation and sub
consider these questions as of an emnently
legal and judicial character, and have not
given them such consideration as will justify
me in giving q decided opinion
You also call my attention to and ask my
views on the reduction Of salaries and taxation
All offices. executive. judicial and Legislative In
rAnIDtlCHn UGVRrnma1ts GrpHfaH order
that the laws may be proporly administered for
tho good Of the people. They were not created
or. | shall. as a rule. consider it my duty to
vote for reduction OF salaries but not to such
low point as to preclude Intelligent and eff
cent persons. who may happen to bH poor,
from occupying official positions. To do this
is to place all public employments in the hands
of tho rich. This could never advocate.
Excessive taxation has been the crying evil in
our State since the war All have felt aud
groaned under this intiiction. none more 50
duce taxa / N than viii. All my means are
Invested in. real estate. cotton oil and sugar
ms mmanLpfactories. | hava labored personally to
terprises. and am he head of the largest cot,
ton manufactcry in the State. which; fear, will
mater i cannot ann be- called in yueston With any any
show of reason. All my sympathiee are with
the taxpayer, and n with the tag collector. I
preference to the boudholder.
~ You also ask my oninio and views Us to, tho
New New GHnhl ;; ma leaS9 s.. The present lease made to
The, lease Is based on contract to do certain
work. When the Republicans had tho entire
attempt to deprive Gen. Taylor OF this lease, and
after long and Drotracted suit before tue
courts they failed in the attempt. To the best
of his friends have the slightest wish to renew
this lease. Ii shall have aught to ray in the
framing Of q law for the future disposition Of
the canal, the law should be framed on tho
frlioWing basis viz:
That the State shall not dispose OF the canal
VT! with any purp Sc OF raising revenue theretrom.
tlOn between New Orleans and the parishes Of
Louisiana and the counties OF Mi,sissippi bor-
dnring on Lakes Maurepas and POntchartrain
and as a channel Of commerce it should be as
free from tolls as possible.
The benefits to The State as O. pecuniarV in
vestment, should be reflected benefit; a bene,
tit reflected from the increased prosperity OF
New Orleans and the parishes ADJACENT to the
lakes: benefit resulting from the diminished
cost to the citizens Of building materials, which
canal. If any toll is exacted from vessels navi-
gazing the canal. it should be the minimum toll
necessary. to secure g. fund sufficient to keep
the canal in good repair. Beyond this amount
the State should not go in exacing toll.
a3q o also saa m tho to Rs9f Sss
ate. Your call for my views on matters of State
Legislation would hav,, been promptly respond
ed to without such alusion; however, as you
have mentioned it, cannot avoid noticing the
allusion. Louisiana has certain great interests.
which are peculiar to her, and upon which her
prosperity, nay, might say her vitality In a
great measure depends. and which can be seri-
ously affected by Federal legislation. The first
and most. i'm mportant of these are her leveeo
the SECOND is the fostering Of her sugar indus
try. Several gentlemen who are deeply in
terested in one or both Of these matters, have.
by letter and orally. said that they desired I
should become a candidate for a. seat In the
United States Senate. These gentlemen have
in a, very fatteri ing manner, expressed the
opinion that could render the State some ser
THESE interests |
elected. After much reflection, I yielded to this
wish on the part OF these probably too partial
friends.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, have to thank
you for your call on me. You have thus afford
ed me an opportunity to express my views on
subj which those whom seek to represent
have a perfect. right to understand. To have
rushed into print without some special call on
me to do So even to correct the many misrepre-
sentations, which are being circulated to injure
me would have been so repugnant to my feel:
ings.. that I probably would have remained
SILENT. This dread OF being too eager to defend
myself against street rumors Is removed by
your leader of this morning. and g ady avail