The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-02
STATE CAPITAL.

The Convention has decided by d very large
majority to return the State capital to Baton
Rouge This result IL mainly attributable to
the very intelligent, earnest and unopposed
efforts Of the delegation from the parish OF
East Baton Rouge, and we have no doubt that
The zeal manifested by these gentlemen III
this matter will be fully appreciated and ap-
propriately recognized by their constituents
Doubtless the wires have already flashed
the glad tidings to the depizens OF the High
land City, as Mr.. Jastrernski POLITICALLY
styles It, and iubilation, salutes, and bonfires
are the order of the day. OF course we hesi-
tate to obtrude upon these Fluctuations with
anything disagreeable, yet we can but pro-
test against that portion Of Mr.. Jastremskl's
speech In the Convention, wherein he spoke OF
the long and unbroken series Of misfortnnes
and troubles which had overtaken this city
and the State since the removal Of the capital
TO New Orleans Mr.. Jastremshl knows quite
Us we'll as we do that the commercial and
material prostration Of this city Is due to
causes that affected the whole country, and
which have not the remotest connection with
the fact that the State capital happened. by u
fortultous circumstances, to be located here
MI. Jastremskl evidently intended something
more In his observations than to make mem
ton Of q mere accidental condolences. After
pointing to the trials and tribnlations our
people have endured since the capital has
been at New Orleans. he goes on to say:
Tho Crescent City during those years had
ceased To look to the extension of her eommerce.
81. Louis. Chicago, Memphis and other ctils
Ys s e b a e.
the trade Of this city. The White the Arkansas.
the Yazoo. the Onachita and the Red rivers
while the merchants and business men Of New
Orleans had turned their attention toward the
political schemes. even the epeeulatlons In the
States paper along Carondelet street.
It would be hard to conceive OF anything
more absurd than the intlmatIon here con-
veyed that the commercial deeadenee OF New
Orleans Id attributable to the fact that her
merchants and capitalists have been 80 abb
sorbed In political scheming and bond specu-
latIons that they had no time ITO look to the
extension III her commerce." This charge ID
grossly unjust to this class Of our COM
munity.
As class, there have been no men In this
State more devoted and loyal to the welfare OF
this State and the Democratic party than the
u
every instance contributed the sinews Of war
with which our campaigns against the Radi-
cal party have been conducted. In 1876 they
contributed to the campaign fund not less
than ss75 900. and It was with this money that
the fight VS. made which resulted in the
election and Inauguration OF the Nichols id
miuIstration. This Has -.heen the nature Of
their political schemes, and had they not
.'turned their attention toward" this sort Of
schemtng the redemption Of Louisiana would
be problem % yet unsolved.
As for their "speculations In the Safes
paper 1t ID but just to them to say that. In
the majority OF instances, their Investments
were made after the resolutions were passed
by the Nichols Legislature pledging the
faith OF the State to, the payment Of her
debt, and when the investment In State bonds
was regarded as apatriotic duty. 80 long us
these bonds and securities were tainted and
had no recognition from the people, the mer-
chants Of New Orleans refused to touch them.