Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-17
CONVENTION NEWS.
ED17ORIAL .CoRREspoNDENcE.
New ORLEANS, May I3, 1879.

Dear Gapitolian-We again under.
| take the difficult task of culling news
that have not already been presented
in the official proceedings and il, arti.
cles of comment that are being pub
lished daily in the journals of New
Orleans. However, we will endeavol
to occupy the position of "a man uI
a tree" and give our readers synop.
sis of "what we are learning about
constitution framing''-a science that
many here verify believe is one that
is easily acquired, if we are to judge
them by the recklcssness which they
display in attacking the most intri-
cate problems in fundamental lay and
principles. The "bully boy with the
glass eye" is to be found here at every
turn, striking vigorously at every
thing that comes up. Your humble
servant stands very much in the posi-
ton Of the ''looker on in Vienn3' and
contents himself in saying very little
and observing great deal.
The Convention is beginning to
touch upon the "sore spots" aid the
patients are wincing at the applica-
ton of the "actual cautery."
For the last two or three days the
discussion has been on the question
of back taxes. Some of the delegates
are opposed to the passage Of ah ,ordi-
nance that will permit the Legislature
to absolve delinquent taxpayeis from
the payment of past arrearages, while
others have taken more generous
ground, in view Of the fact tlat our
people have been ridden we'll nigh to
death since reconstruction. Our COL
league from East Feliciana, the Hon.
John Stone, has taken sides with the
people, and has delivered telling
blows in their behalf. Hel speaks
with great earnestness and auency,
carrying with him the applause of
large number who feel impressed with
the force with which he presents the
patriotic arguments that he fdarlessly
proclaims before the Convention. We
are with him in every particular,
deeming it to be the duty of the rep
resentatives of the people to look
after the welfare Of the many instead
of the interests of the few. TO en-
deavor to exact. of the impoverished
citizens of Louisiana the arbitrary
payment Of eleven millions Of unpaid
taxes Of the last few years, you'd be
a cruelty that the generous impulses
of our population would ntver ap-
prove or ratify.
We stand firmly rooted with the
platform, and under no
circumstances will we wave1 on any
question that involves the welfare Of
the mass Of the people. Wdare for a
reduction and limitation of the power
of taxation and a material teasing
off" of the State debt. Louisiana
must be allowed to breathe freely
once more, and we feel that with the
adoption Of a liberal constitution that
our beloved State will resume her
march towards the proud position that
her sons had won for her in the ante
bcllum days.
Mr.. Kennedy, the delegate of Or
leans, who introduced the resolution
looking to another test before the
people as to the restoration of the
to Baton Rouge, mterviewedus
on yesterday concerning the editorial
contained in last weeks
He stated that he had
presented the resolution uFder the
that the result of the vote
given in November last on this ques-
ton had not been published, and that
he did not intend it as a trick 10 over
turn the will of the people, lie added
that he was ever ready to obey the
command Of the majority and mas
much as that will had been expressed
in favor Of Baton Rouge he thought
that Our city should have it. He OBJ
jected to be classcd otherwise than as
a sincere exponent of the popular will
and interests. Mr. Kennedy is a
young man, and one appearing for tue
first time in the legislative arena.
He is connected with a foundry in this
city and is evidently an intelligent
and well meaning representative of
the worthy element who earn their
livelihooPby the sweat of their brows.
No one appreciates more highly these
sons of our State than we do, having
seen them before, ''in the days that
tried mems SOULS" defending with
their lives the honor and glory of
We therefore take, espe-
cial pleasure in correcting the impress
sion that undoubtedly existed amongst
our readers, that Mr.. Kennedy had