Le Louisianais. [volume] (Convent, La.) 1865-1883, 1878-10-12

ly watch the current OF public ex
penditnre, they should and never
will be found combating appropri-
ations for great purposes, for pur-
poses sanctioned by wisdom and
justice. We have yet to lament for.
the absence or inexpedicncy of laws
destined to eradicate evils of every
sort and OF so many years standing.
The main feature of our new Con
stitution should be the wise and
just restrictions of popular franchise.
A citizen who does not perform Il
single duty to the Government, one
who is merely a consumer, and in
no way a contributor, such as a
plurality of citizens are. should not
be honOred and entrusted with the
right Of suffrage and participation
in Il government, towards which he
contributes not al atom. The con-
tribution Of the poll tax should at
least lie the requisite qualification
of the voter, whose simple receipt,
which would he also made to indi-
cate his nationality, and age would
entitle him to vote, in the ward of
which he would have been q resi-
dent during one month or more,
provided he should have resided in
the State one year or more prior to
the election. Such a law founded
upon equity and justice, if put in
strict operation, would at once he
productive Of marvellous results,
and withal would not add material.
IS to the duties of the Tax Collec-
tor. But though there might be
cause to increase his emoluments.
the State could we'll afford to do so,
as the measure would vastly benefit
its revenue. This contract, if enter
ell into, would be very equal in sub.
stance-and such legislation has
become the o%velruling necessity for
the preservation of u republican
institutions, for We can no longer
boast Of the purity aud solidity Of
principles. While | feel profoundly
the necessity Of urging these meas
nrcs, Of combining our efforts to their
attainment. ! yet have still more
deeply to regret that neither my
self nor, much less, our sable repre-
srntativrs are worthy advocates Of
their adoption. ] also fear that !
have already to beg your indulgence
lorthis hasty sketch ofso important
q subject.
Allow me, Mr.. Editor, to make
but a few more remarks on Il sub
jet scarcely more foreign to the
development Of il resources of
public prosperity and happiness.
l~iowsoever individuals may differ
from the Executive. this is, and has
been neither the time nor the occa-
son to express such sentiments.
So soon after Spoiiativc Rule, in
circumstances SO %mtricately bur
dellcd hy the Past, denunciations
Of the Government l. unpatviotic,
%imprudcnt and unjust. They unva-
rinbly impede or palalizc the &C
ton OF the Misest and most eNpcdi-
tiotiS MEASURES, which can heauopt-
ed to enhance and secure the adj
yantaaes Of II just and viyilmt adj
ministration of public affairs. 1t is
still more itjuA'cious and unjust
to ccnsurc the Executive for his
d~ispcnsution of offices, when the
whole community should feel and
know how peculiar and uncontro.ia,
blt circumstances must have en-.
barraseu his selection from the too
great number OF m@eritorious pcti,
TONERS and applicants. The i'm.
mortal Samuel Johnson thus mas
tiers the subject: "Whoever has
tmany to please or govern must
s'n>e the ministry Of many agents
III he gratitics one, he will offend
''a,lotllcr; those that are not favor
'ed will think themselves injured
''Ann since tavou,s can he conferred
"but upon few, the greatest mum
''bcr will always be uiscontentcu
"None, however attentive, a al
''wayS discover that merit which
''inligence or faction may obscure
sand none, however powerful. can.
railways reward it," Long after ht
shall have ceased to hold the helm
Of State, when his arluous task
shall he over, and all his derdSS hal
have ripened, they will merit tol
Governor Nichols nainc an honora
BILE aud grateful remembrance.
- Nnnr Ol,pIipnt
4. ID. c.