Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-10
CONVENTION NEWS.
EDfToR1AL CoRREspoNDENcE.
New ORLEANS, May 5, 1879.

inwardness' Of the MI important q,ies-
tions that are occupying the attention
Of the Convention.
Something of let-down Is reported
to exist among the delegates on the
subject of the settlement of State debt.
The views that were freely expressed
In the early days Of tho session are
greatly toned down. 1t does look rs
if that "healthy public opinion," des-
escribed some time since by the Pica-
yanc was having its effect. 1t l,as
come to pass indeed that tho repre-
sentatiyes, after their two weeks stay
in the Crescent City, don't sec things
rs their constituents do in the interior
parishes. The overwhelming major
ity that existed in favor of u rigid
examination Of the public indebted
ness has, 80 we are told, grown beau
tifully less. The talk now is about
arrangements honorable to the State,
and equitable to the bondholders,
who are no longer "brokers and
SPECTATORS" but men who have pur-
chased these securities, in good faith,
while they were imbued with a blind
confidence in the honesty Of the peo-
pie of Louisiana. The members are
gravely discussing a project having
in view u reduction of interest on tho
entire dcbt-which is to be preserved
intact--to two per cent. during five
years, after which gradual increase
Of the same will take place, till it
reaches y comfortable figure. The
debt, so the Democrat, suggests wants
to be subdivided into coupons of
small denominations, and be made u
currency. All this is very ingenious
and very nice, but it does not explain
what the debt Is for. When our
stubborn" country people look
around them for an explanation they
don't see that these millions that have
been spent have brought them any
benefits. They discover that Louisi-
ana has no railroads, no public build
Jugs; in fact nothing to show for
these expenditures, the bulk Of which
were made while u tax amounting ut
one time to over two per cent was
being levied and collected from them.
They find besides that nearly ten
millions in interest alone have been
paid out IN cash from the State Treas
ury, in the last ten years. These
facts are not calculated to cause them
to view calmly the soothing balm"
that is contained in the very plausible
financial project that is being talked
of. .........
" What pilt they sag Of as at home,
is the question that is revolving in
the minds of many. The stubborn
ones say that the Denwcrat so peril
nently described some time since,
when it was cautioning the delegates
to beware of the advice of thes Pica-
yuno are having their accustomed ef-
feet. Indeed do they say-"the
champagne is sparkling, the Hayanas
are fragrant, and the lake breezes
that one breathcs in the atmosphere
of the picnics and festivals, bearing
the strains of the most cnliyening
music, are lulIing the patriotic ardor
of two weeks ago"
The above constitutes tho legisla
tive gossip at this time. That this is
al exaggeration is probably the truth;
still, it is well to look to it, in order
that the Convention may not prove
Il cruel deception to the people, who
arc in no hnmor to be triAed with.
Although some few parties are at
tempting to cling to certain specions
arguments against the removal of the
Capital to Baton Rouge, the facts
stand glaringly before the Convcn-
ton that the popular voice by a ma
.jority of over six thousand has decreed |
that it shall Be done. 1t is ascertain
ed besides that the uncollected State
House Fund will be more than sufii-
Gent to pay for tho repair of our Cap
itol--the handsomest edifice in the
South. Then, too, if We reduce Off
cial salaries we must have headquar-
tiers where it will not be necessary to
make "little princess of our public
servants. Republican simplicity is
what we want for years to come in
Louisiana. The fifteen years trial
given to New Orleans as State Capt.
tai is powerful argument in favor
of removal. We therefore feel that
when the time comes the Convention
will do it's whole duty, and will not
overtun the expressed will of the
people in order to maintain the &C
ton of the ''bayonent convention of
1s64.' 6
The committees are hard at work
and the reports are coming in at a
lively pace. The hot work will soon
commence, whcn@ the "mettle" of