The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-04
THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME,


A large number Of the members elect Of
the next Legislature, which convenes on
Monday. are already In the city, prepared to
enter upon the discharge Of the duties Inn
posed upon them by the people. In almost
every instance these gentlemen entertain
very pronounced views In regard TO the poll
cy OF the party that elected them and 10
which they owe allegiance and the course
which should be pursued by the incoming
General Assembly. Among them we recog
nize many old and honored faces, and we can
safely affirm that In point Of intelligence,
capacity and earnestness Of purpose, as we'll
as In true representative character, the Legis-
lature about to meet is, In the aggregate, the
equal Of any that has ever convened In this
state.
Fresh from the people, these gentlemen are
fully informed as to the desires Of their con-
stituencies, and they appear to entertain no
sort Of doubt as to the course they are ex-
pected 10 pursue. The sentiment In favor OF
constitutional convention during the present
year is almost unanimous The enumeration
OF the Baton Rouge convention is accepted by
them az authoritative, and they consider
themselves bound by II, nor do they appear
at all disposed 10 bubble as to the amount OF
discretion reposed In them. The declaration
In the platform Of the party precedent to the
last campaign In favor Of the earliest pos
sible convocatlon OF a constitutional conven-
tion Ii accepted az equivalent TO positive In
structions, direct from the people, which
the members from the parishes do
not feel themselves at liberty TO dis
regard. From all parts Of the State
the same sentiment IL expressed. "We have
been sent here" say these gentlemen.
positively instructed TO vote for the imme-
date convening Of a convention. We have
been elected for that very purpose, and are
entirely without discretion In the matter"
This Is the proper, the honest Interpretation
Of the Baton Rouge platform, and we are
glad to see, as we knew would be the case,
the unanimity and sincerity with which the
members elect have construed and propose to
carry II out
The programme, as now laid out. is q very
short one. The very first proposition Is TO
pass the Legislation necessary to secure the
80 az TO assure this measure
against all possible contingencies. Then, and
not Till then, will the General Assembly be In
q proper condition to consider further legisla-
tion, or In any mood to listen to the sugges-
lion Of any, however pressing and necessary
It may be regarded. The general proposition
s to elect United States Senator, pass the
proper general appropriation bill and then
adjourn. This ia the proper spirit
though 1t may be found necessary to
'xtend the programme somewhat, SO as to
admit Of some legislation that Is OF more ur-
gent Importance, and which cannot safely be-
deferred. The proposition Is correct, how
sver, that tho discussion Of oil this kind Of
legislation and OF It's urgency, will come up
n proper time after the constitutional con-
'ention has been assured and placed beyond
vi manner OF doubt
II Is our duty, however. to cay to the men,
,ers from the parishes. that they will not be
Without opposition In their efforts to secure q
opposition which will BIO all
ho more dangerous and difficult to meet be-
ause OF Its hidden and insidlous character.
There are influences already ut work TO de-
eat the declared will Of the people in this
aspect.
The monopolies. the rings, the corruption
sts-all who fear to meet the people face to
engaged In this conspiracy. All Of
he arguments they will use were presented
q the Times leader on Wednesday last. TO |
which we invite special attention.
The friends OF u convention will be met with |
ii sorts OF allurements and delays, used for |
he purpose Of delaying action upon this i'm |
ortant measure. But II will be easy enough |
Or them to meet and defeat these schemes |
9 soon as they are appraised of them. All |
hat the friends OF convention have to do |
, to keep to their present determination and |
emper, and all will be we'll
AS for the influences that operated the defeat
a convention in the last Legislature, we
ave nothing to say. We know that some
mong the most conspicuous advocates OF the
were men and Democrats
gainst whose personal and political motives
o tmputation can be raised. There were
mong them some OF the purest and best
Dns OF Louisiana. and Democrats whose
cord no man can impugn. We have only to
'nsider the fact that this issue has been
lade before the people, and they have de-
AIRED, without opposition In favor of q con-
convention. All that the Legisla-
ire has to do is to regard the popular will
al do what 1t has been instructed to do.