Louisiana capitolian., 1879-06-14
CONVENTION NEWS.
ED1ToR1AL CORRESPONDENCE.
NEW ORLEANS, June 8, 1879.

to the fact that the "battle royal
over the State debt will open with a
vigor seldom seen in deliberative
bodies, in consequence of which all
interest will be centered thereon,
we feel that we can only apprize you
of the notes'of preparation that are
quietly going on. @
Of the strength of the relative forces
nothing is positively ascertained. The
"majority" report men as well as the
supporters Of the "minority" are in
line, and between the two forces are
those who are not committed to either
side and are awaiting the develop
ments that will be brought about
during the course of the bitter discus
sion that will inevitably take place as
soon as the question is called up.
Petitionshave been circulated through
out the city asking the majority men
to stand firm by the report, or at
least to go in for a lively scaling.
RumOr has it that these lists contain
thousands Of names. They will be
presented as part Of the prelude to the
contest. Intense interest is manifest
ed among the masses who are in favor
of energetic action by the Convention.
1t is plain that the popular current
does not run i'll the direction of the
bonds. The people here evince great
confidence in the fearlessness and pa
triotism of the members, since they
have seen the voting on the "cutting
down" measures, and the action taken
in connection with the New Basin
Canal matter. A spirit of earnest
ness is distinguishable all around,
and, in our humble Judgment, the
Convention is moved by y determina-
ton to do all that the people of the
State have expected of their repre-
sentatives. We havenever seen a body
of men yield so readily to sound, just
and liberal argument; and indication
that shows an independence of char
acter that promise results fruitful of
great good to our long suffering COM
monwealth. Any observer who fol-
lows the vote cannot fail to see that
each man belongs alone to himself.
Every discussion is conducted with
courtesy between the members. One
can hardly see that there are different
political parties in the Convention,
as the lines break at every
moment. We feel that we will be
proved an unreliable observer if
everything that is done, does not bear
the stamp Of honest conviction. In
view of these appearances one can
hardly foretell what will be adj2dged
to be an equitable solution of the
debt question, and on what basis the
majority will finally rest.
This morning, for the first time, the
colored ex-Lieut. Gov. Pinchback,
broke the ice and addressed the Con-
yentiOn in an able and studied set
speech. He travelled over a great
teal of ground, apologizing for the
'buses done by his party, charging
first one side then the other with the
responsibility of the misfortunes that
have betallen our State. Then with
great astuteness he held himself in
inc with the Republican party, clos
ng with an appeal to the Democratic
'epresentatiyes-whom he thanked
:or the courteous attention given him
throughout his speech-to do his peo-
pie justice by respecting their rights
1nder the law, and by educating
hem and treating them with kind
1ess, elevate them to that degree that
will fit them to become good citizens
If the State.
He then turned toward the colored
delegates and told them that the oc-
,asion was now, when it was in their
Dowssr to show themselves worthy of
The esteem of the white people, by
'asting their votes on the several
questions that were being submitted
or action, in suchomanner as would
show that colored officials were not
If that material that could be bought
md sold. He ended by expressing
in the spirit Of justice and
iberality Of the white element of the
State towards his people. g
A prolonged fight was had over the
'epOrt of the committee on education.
Col. Collins, of New Orleans, intro
luced an amendment looking to the
of the school tax in
he localities Where it was raised, con-
ending that the city should have the
benefit of the large tax raised upon
is greater amount of wealth over the
parishes. Col. Heron introduced
substitute therefor, and in a most
argument, demonstrated
hat such policy would destroy the
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