The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-07
exist why they failed to accomplish all the
reforms they undertook.

reforms tney uHueTbOOk
tAexandra Democrat
Many bad laws have been repealed entirely.
Objectionable features in many others have
been eliminated. Taxation has been reduced
and laws passed which will after this year
still further reduce the rate of taxation. The
harsh and unusual penalties which worked so
much OF hardship to our people, were at once
taken off and a fair rate Of interest put in
their place. The manner of assessment has
been regulated, and the taxpayer made to
feel that q benign government only asks from
him what Is actually necessary for It's sup
port, and nothing for plumber and the private
gain OF office holders. The jury system has
been remodeled, 80 as to insure a just admin
istration OF the processes OF court. The Whole
conduct of elections has been SO regulated as
to purify the ballot and insure a fair express
sion Of the will Of the people at the ballot
box. Amendments to the organic law are sub
mitted to the people, which pronOse to correct
many abuses beyond the reach Of the Iegis-
lature and which will still further relieve the
burdens under which we have labored for 50
long. Even this cursory statement does not
embrace all that has been done in one
year, and we could at great length give the
details OF many other measures OF relief and
reform, but these are surely enough to satisfy
any reasonable man, and to stop growing
because everything has not been done in so
short a time. The world was not made in q
day, nor can any government OF the people,
however vigilant and energetic, correct all
IL
this State. For what has been done we are
truly thankful, and we have every confidence
in the government which has done SO much
In one short year.
tPointe Coupee Pelican.l
While the Legislature did not accomplish
gill that was expected, they have. done much
s true they denied to the people the privilege
Of assembling in convention and forming
such a constitution as is needed. We admit
it was question of policy as well as Of prin-
oi PIE, y, Good ,ie and patriotic men may
Of a convention, and we shall not
fall out with the representatives of the peo-
pie who differed with us on this question. We
know many Of the members of the late Legis-
lature and have full confidence in their in
teligence aid integrity They are tmid in
their conservatism, and are wanting In that
bOldness SO necessary to constitute a states
man; but Of their patriotism none can doubt.
Senator White has stated ut length the re-
suit Of Democratic rule, and when contrasted
with the Radical misrule the contrast is 50
favorable to our party that we must cay to
all our officials "Well DONE thou good and
faithful servants" We have reduced ex-
penses at least $500, 900 below the most favor
able year Of Republican rule. This Is q great
reduction, and the saving would have been
much greater but for the large amount of in
terest we have to pay on the public debt fas-
tened upon us by the Republican party. We
IluSt look 10 LHe Hexb Legislature 10 carry Oh
the good work Of reform, and cut down ex
penses to still lower limit. We also
hoped to see the monopolies all swept
out of existence. The Lottery Company, the
Gas Company, the Slaughter house Company,
and all else calculated to build up a few ind-
viduals at the expense Of the many, must be
repealed. As to salaries, we are not among
those who would reduce them SO low that
none but the rich can hold office. Pay enough
to command the services of men of brains
md ~ nbo ntnr IN,
all temptation from the office holder to steal
but hold all who administer the different de-
partments Of government to strict account
ability. III the next Legislature continues the
good work begun by their last predecessors,
Louisiana will soon recover from the embar-
easements brought about by the Republicans
who were forced upon us by United States
bayOnets.