The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-09-19

THE STATE DEBT ORDINANCE.
Not a Democratic Measure.
FLOYD, La, Sept. IL, 1879.
Editor OMnchitts Telegraph.
My attention has been called to sew
eral articles from newspapers In differ
emit portions of the State, taking the
ground that the Debt Ordinance, which
accompanies the new Constitution, was
adopted In Democratic caucus, and
recommended to the people of the State
rs Democratic measure. This is an
error, and think 1t necessary that it
should be corrected, otherwise the con-
sequences might be disastrous. Now
what are the facts {? Let's take up the
proceedings of the Convention, exam
Inc them, and see what the facts are.
The Debt Ordinance is composed of
three articles and one prOviso. The
first two articles recognize the full
amount of the bonded debt as it Is now
being funded and provides a mode and
manner Of payment. Composed of these
two articles only, or tho ideas substan-
italy embodied in them, tho Ordi-
nance passed Ills second reading by the
votes of 81 Democrats and 80 Republic
cans, and was placed on the calender
of third reading. In a few days 1t was
RECONSTRUCTED and placed again on its
second reading. Tho proviso was then
offered as an amendment and adopted,
by 76 votes-all Democrats. In this
shape it went again on the calender of
third reading. In due time it came up
ON its third reading and failed to pass.
The Republicans, who had been all the
while supporting the measure, deserted
it now, as they say, because the proviso
had been added.
It was at this stage of the proceeding
that the Debt men became anxious
about the matter and changed front.
They had been all the time opposed to
caucusing on this question, although
solicited to do SO repeatedly. But now
something had to be done or the ques-
ton was dead. So they signified a
willingness to go into caucus.
A motion was again made to recon-
slider, which prevailed, and the Ordi-
nance was again placed upon its second
reading. The third article was then
This article had been recommended by
a Democratic caucus, or conference, in
connection with another article to he
placed under different head, that of
limiting taxation. In this shape il
passed the third reading by II votes
all DemOcrats-and comes before the
people for their approval or rejection.
These are the facts, plainly and SIM
ply stated. Can any one justly call
this q Democratic measure from this
statement of facts? Tho first two arti-
cIes in the Ordinance, which recognize
the full amount of the bonded debt,
never could command more than forty
one Democratic votes, although these
| votes were taken repeatedly, time and
time again. Is not the proviso the
only Democratic feature in it? Was
it not passed in this shape purely and
simply to lift the question out of the
Convention and place it before the peo.
pie where it might be discussed and
settled on its merits? Did not q large
number of the Democrats so declare in
casting their votes for it, whose votes
were absolutely necessary to secure its
passage? Did they not state In open
Convention, and in the journal, that
they did not endorse or recommend
the principles of the Ordinance outside
of that contained in tho proviso? How
then can it be claimed that this is q
Democratic measure or recommended
to the people as such by the Convcn.
ton? The Convention never recon.
mendcd this Ordinance, they merely
submitted it. The Convention has
recommended the Constitution, hui
has merely submitted the Ordinance.
hope this collection and statement
of facts will be sufficient to satisfy
every one; Mt least every one who
wishes to cast an independent and in
telligent vote on the subject. Now as
Il party what shall we do with refer.
ence to this question? 1t is certainly
not q Democratic one. We cannot re-
cognizo it in our platform at Bator
Rouge In October. To do so would
simply convert the most odious meas
ures of the carpet-bag government into
Democratic measures. This would dis
integrate the party and turn the State
over to the plunderers again. To give
it the ego by" in tho platform and
nominate ticket composed of men OF
known or pronounced views on this
subject, all or mostly on one side of it,
would have the same effect. Then, in
my opinion, it is our first duty to care
fully mix tho State ticket SO that
neither Of these elements of the Demo-
! cratic party could have an undue in