The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1878-10-25
WHAT THEY THINK.
THE OPINIONS AMID VIEWS OF TME
CHTTXEENs' ASSOCIATION HDMHNEEs
ON INTERESTING SUBJECTS.

several QueSGlOHS tl G0HSlueThDl6 PUBIC lnl
portance, and recognizing and appreoiatipe
that All expression of the sentiments OF the
nominees OF the Citizens Association ON the
same subjects would be of interest, DEMO
CRAT reporter was yesterday detailed TO sec
them.
The result Of the interviews is appended:
CHAs. u. sCHENCK, ESQ,
was seen at his place Of business, and after he
had expressed ~ willingness to give his views
on any matter Of interest which might be
suggested, the reporter said, I'VE would like
In the first place. Mr.. SchenCk, to know how
YOU STAND as regards the Democratic plat
form enuucated by the Baton Rouge oonven-
tion.'
Mr.. Schenck~It Is my platform; [ have
read It carefully and can find no fault with It,
RepOrter-Can you say as much Tor the
platform of the parish convention
Mr.. S.-For that | can not say ns much 1t
is not as explicit as 1t might be and as would
like to have It.
Rep.-If elected what course will YOU pur-
sue on questions affecting monopoles
Mr. 81 am down on monopolies all OF
them.
Rep.-'rhat is in general; now as to the
Louisiana State Lottery monopoly In par
ticular2
Mr.. ST guess Mr.. Howard has o pretty
correct opinion of me already. You know two
years ago / ron against his man In the second
ward.
Rep.-Then there is no question as to your
position in regard to that2
Mr.. S.-None. My. action in the House
three years ago and my opposition to the
Lottery Company at that time guarantees 1t.
Rep.-Anothor question. What ore your
views as to the advsabiity Or inadvisability
of holding o constitutional conyention2
Mr.. S.-I am in favor Of q constitutional
convention. 1t is the only way we can make
a now start. ! favor it for many reasons, ,
f,,,iIi ,hnl,I n n reIu
of salaries. especially Of constitutional Of
hoers.
Rep-Have you given the question Of O new
oity charter any considerations
MI 81 have; and / am and always have
been, since the adoption of the present one. in
favor Of q new charter. L DO not believe In
this bureau system at all, and never did.
MIR. NJ. D. LAGAN,
when called upon, said he preferred to place
himself more fully on record than he thought
1t was possible for him to do in an Interview,
and promised TO respond to the questions OF
the reporter In writing. In Keeping with his
promise he last night forwarded to the office
The following, which, 1t will be observed, Gov
ers every subject introduced by tho Leading
questions:
To tho Editor Of the Democrat:
In response to your call made upon the sew
eral candidates. for an. expression of their
leave to submit the following as explanatory oi
the position which occupy in the present po-
liticH chmnnign:
Association az Ii candidate for ths Legisla ure
from tho second ward, and my acceptance of the
posjto not sought fo5r by % %me-may possibly
associates of the past TO them rs well as to
tho voters of the second ward. that In accepting
the position on tho Citizens ticket [ do not
0onsider that compromise In the slghteet de-
gree my uniform status ma u Democrat.
Tho platform OF the Oi'lzens party 2a, asks for
Clinic. and JpCAntnliOn OF pnSt political
teneta, No political nrinciple whatever Is in
yolyed in the present , e,nmpaign3; only qnes-
and the general material prosperity of the.
State. ara involved. In all that constitutes 8
am as true and devoted MS ever was. Gin
tlemen not Democrats, in the true sense. are to
be found on the Democratic ticket, placed there
not for past loyalty or poll ical consistency, but
from motives Of cxpediency or unavoidable
Necessity, therefore soc nothing inconsist4nt
or even worthy of comment in my nr.sent atti
tude, when have before mo such an Ill uBtr tOus
and notable example Of rHrty Independence as
presented by the late Democratic convention in
many OF its nom nations.
Upon all questions of purely political ohar-
acter. If any should arise In the Legislature. I
will always be found Ia full eympathy and
members as agaiI st the Republicans. and those
who In the past have been the enemies Of tho
State
mon poles, believing them to be- d, etructye Of
all eff rts at fair, honorable and desi rabe COM
upou the people. nearly alwa, drifting into an
abuse Of q dangerous character and promoting |
che growth of power which may, be ueed to the
detrimeut of good erier and the publie veal.
/ would not vote for the granting of any charter |
OF an exclusive Or unrepealable character, aud
believe that the constitution should prohibit the
creation OF any monopoly in The future. This |
is u serious legal question which requires the |
opinion of lawyers and the decision Of iurIsts.
Il the fxsns m91dphes ha os ne III ha
State and Of the United States, then ! would be
In favor Of their Immediate supp ession. But /
am not willing to commit myself to any line Of
conduct which may involve the State in litiga-
tion or which may clearly violate tho rights of
/ believe the most economical and efficient
municipal government to DO the system In OK
istence before tho war. viz: When tho people
desired to represent them IN, The City Council
composed Of Il bourd of aldermen and one OF
assistant aldermen, Mayor. treasurer and
only the three last named to recieye salaries.
If the. present system Is to be continued |
should II ,he nterst OF econt9hmy M llRn to see
tratOrships of police. assessment and water
works. as being, supertuous under recent
legislation that has rendered them unneCes-
sary. As to o constitutional convention, / think
the present organic law of the State should be
remodeled in order that the white people who
were deprived OF oil participation In fte con:
struction may have a voice in the formation of
their State constitution. and. therefore favor
o convention of the people for that purpose; at
amendments adopted by the last Legislature
should bo ratisfed by tho people Whilst they
do not givo us all the relief and reforms de-
sired, they very materially reduce the expense
of the State government and secure q decided
impr ovement on the present constitution. |
Again: These amendments will 60 tmmedi-
ately into effect and thus give US speedy relief
while. even if q convention be called. Its action
would not be operative for at least year and
in the meantime we would have to hear the bur
dens Of the present constitution. Besides. they
make certain the reforms which they cover not
trusting to the contingency of q convention or
itR problematical composition.
am opposed to the State and city licenses,
and believe that there should be no tax upon
trades professions or callings Of any descrip-
tion Every inducement should be held out to
the small capitalists and tho Industrious me-
ehanic and laborer to engage in business. and
through his energy and enterprise add to the
prosperity Of the State.
Our commerce should be encouraged and fos:,
tered and trade invited here by reduction Of
all charges for wharfage, plotage, toWage and
other burdens which now are imposed upon
the shipping of this port. and which have driv-
on away almost entirely the commerce Of this
city and forced it into rival and less expensive
ports.
Respectfully, etc. NJ. D. LAGAN.