Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-04-26
TIE STATE CAPITAL AGAIN,
Some Of the Reasons WhyMe Picayune
and Democrat Fail to Endorse the
Removal Of the Capital!
In. O. Times. j

The Times had something to say few
days ago about the location of the State
capital. We adverted to the fact that
there seen, Is to be general conviction
throughout the different States of the
Union that large city is an unfit place
for the seat of government. We called
attention 70 the circumstance that in
nearly every State, in which there is a
large city, the peope of that State have
studiously avoided such metropolis in
the selection of their capital. We men-
toned thatour own people, in ante-be1'nm
days, held the same views; and that the
State government would not have been
moved to New Orleans during che war
but for the fears Of the "loil" leaders
who were anxious to get under the guns
of the fleet. In cOnsonance with these
views, and for other reasons which we
gave we expressed our decided opinion
that the convention should locate
the capital at Baton Rouge. We con-
idently expect that the municipal gov
eminent of that interesting and eligible
town, will in accordance with the sug-
gestions of the Times, convince the mem
bers of the Convention that the capital
can be returned to it's ancient site at
comparatively little expense othe State:
We have no doubt that the old st. Louis
Hotel could be sold for more than would
defray the cost of removing the govern
ment to the new seat.
We have been anxious to hear from
the Picayune and the Democrat on this
important question. These able jour
nails have discussed nearly every other
point likely to come before the Conven-
ton; they have been silent apon this
practical and somewhat significant issue.
1t certainly cannot be said that the To-
cation OF the capital is a matter of no
moment, for it was the subject of an
amendment to tho constitution submit
ted to the people by the Legislature at
the last general election. We were sat
isfed then that but for the "machine"
influence of New Orleans politicians the
people would have peremptorily remov-
ed the government to it's former loca-
ton.
But we could hardly expect the Plea
yane to join the Times irr this regard.
'"rhere is good deal of human nature
in mankind" as some one has said, and
in newspapers, too, we may add. 1t
would be more than human nature2 or
newspaper nature, to expect the newly
appointed official journal to advocate
measure, even for the public good, which
would, if adopted, necessitate surron-
der of honors and emoluments. So we
count the Picayuae out. But the first
time the Pic. opposes the removal of the
capital we will know the reason why.
Nor need we look for any assistance
from the Democrat. That spicy and elo-
quent, but somewhat hysterical and in
consequential organ, would be without
occupation should the New Orleans pol
iticians, loose their hold upon and con-
troll over the government of the State
contamination to be expected if the
government could be got beyond their
physical clutches. So, also, we count
the Democrat out.
But in all seriousness, we believe that
the removal of the seat of government
away from the corrupting influences of
city life and politics, and city politicians
is of great Importance Sto the future
of the State.
There is another important considcra-
ton connected with the subject of econ
omy. 1t is the undoubted purpose of
the convention to reduce the pay of
officers to the lowest figure possible. 1t
is proper therefore to consider the rela-
tive cost of living in the city and in she
country. If officers are to be paid small
salaries they ought not to be submitted
to the temptation of keeping up expen-
sive establishments in the metropolis.
The constitutional convention was
called to effect reforms. Here is an OPP
portunity. In the matter of the Ioca-
ton and maintenance of the State gov
eminent let us return
''rhe simple ways of the olden days"