The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-08-15
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rouschita Telegraph, 9th January, 1s74'l
Mr.. Kellosg's statement, that the
interest on the bonded State debt cam
not be paid without practical confisca-
ton, is a sorry comment upon Repub-
Iican rule In Louisiana. The Republic
can party has administered the finances
of this State since 1868. At that time
the State debt was Insignificant. The
increase In debt and depreciation In
value of property have been so great
that even with the present ratio of tax
ation-higher than any State In the
Union-we cannot pay our interest,
without practical confiscation. Such
Ia the result of Radical rule in Louisi-
ana.
Now, neither Mr.. Kellogg nor his
supporters can claim that they have
any. better State officers, or legislature,
than had Gov. Warmoth. The truth
is, both are worse. What, then, Is
promised to the taxpayers by the KEEL
logg government?
It seems that the only promise given
is one to 60 from bad to worse.
To fund the debt, with more irre-
sponsible set Of men In power than
that which put the State in bankrupt
cy, is to swap the devil for the witch.
What boots 1t to the taxpayer, how
much he owes, II his money goes to
enrich the corrupt, and he is already
placed where he cannot pay interest
itself? To fund the State debt-to
ssscals'' it's no relief to the property
holder who sees . governmentin power
rs reckless and extravagant as that
which has robbed him., His credit is
gone; Ills bonds are deprecated; no
ono has faith in his State obligations.
Will any ordinary debtor, who can
fight Oh his obligation, when that OBJ
legation is In part unjust, consent t.
secure his creditor by q judgment
This Is what Mr.. Kellogg proposes to
the people of Louisiana.
What Louisiana justly owes, she
ought to pay, even to the last farthing.
There is no reason why any compro-
mise should be asked of her just credi-
tors; but the spectators who have bet
their money ON misrule in Louisiana
must be required to abide the result of
the chances they took. There ought
never to be any acknowledgement of
this debt, and this is the debt Mr.. Kel-
logg would especially have recognized.
So it is: under Republican rule VIC
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tration involves the State in debt, and
the next, under the pretenso Of clearing
away the debt, invokes the rascality o.
a worse set of cormorants, ostcnsibly tc
get the State out of debt.
We must look to tho character o
! the men who assume to be representa-
tives-the guardians of the honor
credit and lives of the people. Now,
look at Kellogg's Legislature. Was
over such a hungry, desperate, worth
less, ignorant body of mon got together
in tho capacity of Legislature? We
defy tho whole civilized world to give
a negative response.
Still, Mr.. Kellogg solemnly issues a
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good of the State, In which he solemn
ly speaks Of what will contribute to
the ultimate prosperity Of Louisiana.
II he wero a sincere, honest friend of
Louisiana, he would have said,-I adj
vise you, the people, to kick, inconti-
aent}y, out Of Mechanics Institute, the
jabbering rabble assembled there, and
to select in any manner you choose
your best and ablest men to go to New
Orleans, who will pilot you safely out
of your troubles; for I know that those
hungry devils, even with me to advise
them, cannot possibly give you relief
but will damage your character with
the whole world, and ultimately land
you In perdition.
Suppose that State Auditor Jume
did confirm the correctness of the
arithmctfcal process by which tho Board
of Health account books arc regulated
did not the same Auditor Jumel also
certify to the correctness of the arith.
metical process by which tho accounts
Of the late State printer were regu.
lated IN o. CITY Item.