The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-02-06
THE LEGISLATURE.

concentrated chin lOoSeness anu sla"-
der CAB of croakers, soreheads and
disappointed pap.suckers have been
turned loose against them, with
vim and a petty vengeance, which
become these gentry, and at no time
from lack of proper information, are
they willing to render the least JUS
tice to the members composing that
body.
The Democratic Conservative par.
ty under the influence of the rally
ing slogan Of reform, are in u small
working majority in the Legislature,
and as a matter Of course, will he
held responsible for the measures Of
reform, so Justify beloved for and
preached in the past canvass. All
this 10 right, just and proper, but at
the same time that the effervesceDt
patriotism of the country is boiling
over in stating what they have failed
to do, we think that they should at
least post themselves, and find out
what they really did, and did too un-
der peculiar circumstances. This is
but slim justice, and without being
considered the special advocate of
their foibles, we are frank enough.
however, to come to their rescue and
place on record what they have really
done in the way of reform, real re-
form.
In making this reform showing for
the Legislature, we only take into
consideration the Acts of last year,
and leave uncommented on their do
ings, thus far, at their present SEES
sion. When that is over it will be
time to bring them to the bar Of pub
lie opinion. Below We give these
items, as taken from a speech of Mr..
Young, member of the House, de
livered few days since, and trul =
think that it is fair reform showing,
and trust that this present session
will do half as we'll in the same line:
BY act No. 26 of 1877 the salaries
of the Supreme Court judges were
brought down to the amounts fixed
by the constitution, eAecting saving
annually of sIs,500.
By act No. Is the salaries of the
parish judges were reduced to an ex.
tent which saves the State annually
s4S,5OO.
Act No. - reduces the fees OF
sheriffs and clerks in criminal cases
in the country parishes 80 per cent
saving annually at least 100000.
The reduction in the expenses Of
the free school department by abol
lshing the division superintendent
and curtsiling other expenses, effects
an annual saving Of $4,000.
The change in the printing Ian
saves annually at least 100000.
The reduction in cost of register
ing voters and holding elections ha,
been reduced at least $4,000.
The repeal of the levee bill saves
in the item of salaries alone annually
$4,000.
The reduction in the assessing anG
collecting of taxes is annually al
least 100000.
The retrenchment in the Land Of
flee saves annually $4,000.
By abolishing fees OF witnesses in
criminal cases on committing trial
$4,000.
In costs Of collecting taxes Of the
city of New Orleans $4,000.
Reduction of fees of clerks in Au
ditor's, Treasurer's and other de-
partments of the government $40, 900
Making a total of $55s,00O.
This, he said, was only about one.
hale Of the expenditures saved an,
nually, and that one million of dol
lars would hardly cover the amour,
saved to the State annually by the
new order of things.
He then read the following Stats
tics to show the profigacy of the
legislation of the Radicals.
! In 1s6s-For mileage and per diem
100000; State printing, $4,000
contingent expenses, $4,000; tota
$8410OO.
In 1869 Mileage and per diem
$250,000; mileage and per diem ane
contingent expenses, $4,000; State
printing, $l5o,o00; total $475,Ooo.
In 1870, Regular Session-Mileag'
and per diem, 100000; extra ees
sion, mileage and per diem, $4,000
printing 100000; total, $l,O75,000
In 1S71-Mileage and per diem
100000; contingent expenses, 1926
! 900; printing and advertising, $3.50