The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-12
MIDDLE MEN.

Another day has passed and yet no definite
action has been taken or Indicated by the
Convention relative to the State debt. What,
In the discussion Of this vital question. has, 50
far, characterized this body, from which the
people had hoped 80 much; this Convention,
which claims to be the first body since 1861
authorized fully to represent the people of
louisiana Has it been craftsmanship? No.
Has 1t been courage2 No Has it been a
comprehensive knowledge Of the situation In
which the State stands and OF the needs and
wishes Of the people? No. Review the work
OF the Convention relative to The debt during
the past seventy days and what do we find !!
Only yacilIatfon! vacillation! vacillationl
We are well aware that there are two fac
tions, or parties, If that term be preferred in
the Convention, which are pronounced and
determined In their views. First, there Is
the faction, or party, which maintains and
will stand by its proposition, that the body
OF the public debt should be accepted and
interest on it allowed at the rate OF per
cent for fifteen years and per cent there
after Secondly. there Is the party, or fac
ton, which stands to it, that the body OF
The debt must be scaled and the interest also
largely reduced. We understand these two
factions; and the people do or 1ciH under
stand them. Whichever party may be wrong
1t has at least the virtue OF sincerity, and OF
courage to utter and stand by its conyic-
tons.
Bat there is third faction in the Conven-
tion, and It is this third faction which is re-
sponsible for the delay In the settlement Of
n Nah
| the trade and industries OF the State are ex-
perienciDg from the doubt and anxiety which
prevail. This third faction is composed Of q
class OF men who Edmund Burke once said
he hoped was extinct "who. when they arose
in their place no man living could divine, from
any known adherence to parties, to opinions
or to principles, from any order or system
In their utterances, what part they were 60
ing to take" These are the men who make
themselves bidders at the auction of popular
| ity, and who, though chosen as legislators
become mere flatterers of the people and
supple instruments Of popular clamor These
men are trimmers, and they constitute that
class known as middle men in the Conven-
ion, who, without the courage Of convictions
are guided by the cunning OF ambition
and inspired by the imbecility Of caution.
These middle men, In private, express them
selves In favor of an adjustment of the debt
| just at once to the people and to the creditors
Of the State; they say that the body OF the
debt should be accepted and the interest re-
duced to 5 per cent for five years and per
cent thereafter; and yet they go into the Con-
vention and, bidding at the auction of popu-
larity, denounce and vote against propo-
sition far more favorable to the taxpayers.
These middle men are responsible for this de-
lay, and the people will hold them to rigid
accountability II they longer prolong this
settlement.
The State-the people-requires relief from
over taxation and from agitation. The prop
osition to reduce the interest to 8 per cent for
fifteen years and per cent thereafter prom
ises 10th. and it is the duty Of every delegate
in the Convention, whose judgment tells him
that this Is Just and proper, to come for
| ward and advocate it and vote for it.
The man who fears to do what he knows
to be his duty; who fears q temporary
public clamor more than he does an &C
cusing conscience; who would rather sacrifice
his Judgment and sense Of right than his
popularity or his little polite aspirations,
is utterly unfit and unqualified to represent
any enlightened community in a time like
this In q body such as that now sitting IN the
State-House.
The settlement prompt settlement
this debt question Ia In the hands Of the mid
die men, and the people demand that without
further delay and without personal consider
atoms, they shall promptly do their duty