The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-23
GOV. WHITES ADDRESS.


President Of the Convention was, without dis
paragement to his able and accomplished
competitors, Judge Lyons and Judge Rich
ardson, probably the very best that could
have been made. 1t fs the judgment OF the
oldest and best parliamentarians Of the State
that Gov. Wilt 10 the equal Of any man In the
State as a presiding officer over deliberative
assemblies, IL he is not without rival. For
the duties Of such position he Is eminently
and singularly qualified. or q dgnified and
imposing presence for 50 young man. with
a flrmness Of will and rapidity Of perception
and Judgment that are most unusual, adroit,
courteous, with the tact OF woman, and &C.
curate as we'll as profound In his knowledge
or parliamentary custom and law, we feel
assured that his direction OF the counsels Of
the Convention will prove most satisfactory
to each and every element that finds repre-
sentation In that body.
Perhaps Gov Witt owed his election to this
responsible and most honorable position as
much to his we'll known ability In these re-
spects as to any other cause, and In this con-
that portion OF his speech OF acceptance
wherein he aludes to the particular duties he
has been called upon to discharge With the
terscness of an epigram he describes the
rules Of decorum common 10 all deliberative
bodies," which he is called upon to enforce, as
amerely the rules good breeding az adapted
to the exigencies of such bodies, s'sponta-
neously practiced at all times and by an In
stinct common to all who combine good will
with intelligence"
This most admirable and concise statement
embodies the true spirit Of parliamentary
courtesy, and. therefore, OF parliamentary
law. But, beyond this mere matter of good
breeding, there Is practical and useful pur-
pose Ia the rules Of debate which Gov. Witt
takes special occasion to impress in his ad-
dress. He does this In advising and urging
ia strict adherence to the established order of
business" AS the speaker truly said, those
"who have had experience In legislative bo-
dies are well aware Of the enormous waste Of
time that results from habitual disregard OF
the rules Of debate, the maxims Of parlia-
mentary law and the customary order in
which business should be considered" One
legislature in order to become convinced of
the truth and wisdom Of this advice. 1t
was by insisting upon this rule and
by voting against every proposition
to suspend the rules, that Gov. Witt was
enabled, as presiding officer OF the Senate, to
keep the calendar of that body always clear,
and 1t was by doing this, as much as by his
justice and impartiality, that he won his great
reputation as parliamentarian. For these
reasons we believe that the Convention has
selected the most efficient, and, therefore, the
best man it could have found to preside over
It's deliberations.
It Is not in this respect alone, however, that
Gov. Wiltzs address Is to be commended In
all that he says there Is evinced the broad
grasp of the statesman as well as the adroit.
ness of the tactician or the technical ac
curacy of the mere polemic. The solemn
| responsibilities that have been imposed upoI
himself and his associates do not impress
him lightly. There is an intelligent purpose
and manly and conscientious sense of duty
| in every word that he has uttered. Without
being, or pretending to be great constitu
| tional lawyer or expounder, he evinces q
large and enlightened appreciation of the
purposes this convention is called upon te
| carry out, as well as of the great
and enduring principles which shoulG
control its action. These purposes
and principles are admirably presented
In his address, and with a vigor and terse.
ness that are truly remarkable. It is the
province OF the Convention, says he to es
tablish "a government that will prevent the
| abuses Of legislation, ward off the encroach.
ments OF external power and provide for the
general defense; a government that will
thwart the tyranny OF majorities and prevent
hasty, needless and passionate public senti.
ment from assuming the shape of oppressive
laws; a government limited In its power te
t * the people, but authorized to prevent the
abuse OF aggregated capital; a government
that will maintain the right Of local self-rule,
secure the freedom and purity of the electoral
franchise, maintain the barriers which sepa-
rate the several departments, uphold free