The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-02

foundations OF society, and besides, with mat
ters Of more temporal but not less impera-
tive nature First among these, is the adj
iustment Of the State debt upon q basis alike
honorable and just, involving proper
consideration of the necessities of the
people and their ability to pay, and
the rightful claims OF the creditors
Of the State at the same time The honor Of
the State requires that there should be q
reconciliation and proper adjustment Of this
question. Surely this cannot be done
In day. Any action upon this subject must
be preceded by the most careful and cxhaus-
tive Investigations.
There are many committees whose work, to
be efficient, will require even more time for
elaboration. For instance, there Ia the Com
mittee on the Limitation OF State Taxation,
which cannot report until it has had the op-
portunity to examine the reports Of several
other committees. It must first have some
Intelligent idea OF the probable cost Of sus-
tanning the judiciary, Legislative and executive
departments, which has not yet been even
Appropriated. It must consider the basis
of assessment and the scope Of taxation and
exemption, which have not been even con-
sidered up to date. It must have before it
the report OF the Committee on the State
will throw any light upon the ability OF the
people to pay taxes.
It will very greatly weaken the effect of all
committee reports II they are made 30 hastily
as to give them the appearance Of having
been adopted without full Investigation and
elaboration. This Is specially true OF what
ever action may be recommended or adopted
In regard to the State debt. A full and can
did exhibit OF our assets and capacity to pay
must precede any action upon this subject.
Honor and justice alike demand this, and
without 1t whatever course may be adopted
will be regarded as arbitrary and dishonest.
Now that the Convention has manifested It's
determination to exercise the right OF adjust
Ing the debt which the DEMOCRAT has al
ways claimed for it. we insist that 1t shall
exercise this right equitably, to the extent Of
the States ability to pay.
The Convention must have ample time to
consider all these questions. The public are
fully appraised Of the fact that, since the as
sembling Of the Convention, It's whole work
ing time has been taken up in the formalities
Of organization, appointing and organizing
committees, and receiving and referring mo-
lions, resolutions and ordinances. The COM
mittees, as yet, have barely had time for the
most desultory meetings, and 1t has not been
possible for them to take any matter under
serious consideration.
The time has now arrived, however,
when they can. at least, begin to do
something. The principal suggestions
which they will have to consider
have already been presented In the shape Of
resolutions or ordinances and duly referred.
and we would suggest the adoption Of some
strict order Of business which will give the
committees more time for elaboration and
research. The most important and effective
work OF the Convention must be done in COM
mittees, and the fullest opportunity for such
work should be afforded. The people want
good work, efficient and durable work, and
the convention must take Its time to do 1t In.