The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-04-02
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONFEN.
TON.

Full returns of the election and
complexion Of the Delegates return
ed, by the sudrages of the people Of
Louisiana to the Constitutional Con
vention to assemble in New Orleans,
on the 2lst day of the present month
of April, are received and known to
make it certain, beyond doubt, that
a majority of this august and law
making body are pronounced Demo
Gratis and Conservatives. These del
egates are not only men of ability
and purity Of character, have since
the Reconstruction measures" been
opposing the damnable and rcvolu-
tionary measures of Radicalism, but
go in pledged honorably and sacred
ly, to wipe out the Carpet-bag Con-
stitution of 1868, in which We had no
choice or voice, and in its stead to
give US good, sound, straight for
ward and honest one, which can but
reflect the true views and sentiments
Of every we'll wisher of, and patriot
in Louisiana, and permit our present
generation to live in peace, harmony
and contentment under its broad and
protecting aegis.
We have lived, prospered and been
a happy and contented man, under
all the Constitutions of our. native
and cherished State, with the excep-
ton of our present one, aud therefore
speak by experience, when we assert
that as our people have willed it to
go by the board for new one, we
bow in submission to the out.spoken
verdict of that people, and bid them
God speed in the undertaking. As
yet there seems to be only one ques-
tion preached or talked of, and that
is an important one, the money and
debt question. But right here, let
us state, in all candor and sincerity,
that we think and believe, that thus
far it has not been handled fully to
it's bearings and vital points. but
seems to be ignored totally, and no.
thing but the debt that we owe is
talked about, argued about, and ways
and means and devices offered to
tinker and remedy it, but not word
is spoken or line written about the
debt due us.
One of the main and most honest
reasons for which we opposed the
calling of the present Constitutional
Convention was purely and simply,
that the collection of the taxes of
our State were not properly enforced,
were not enforced equally on all ac-
cording to law, all over the State,
save and except, perhaps, the City of
New Orleans, and that is the reason,
the sole and most vital reason, we
respectfully hold, that Louisiana is
now almost financially bankrupt, and
that some Of her most honored and
cherished sons are advocating ways
and means, bordering on Reputation.
In this connection we urge and ask
them to look the matter squarely
and honestly in the face, and heed
well our position, of honest and
knock down facts. We assert it fear
lessly, honestly and in full posses
sion of the facts, as per the Reports
Of the State Auditors, that had the
collection Of all the dues in way of
licenses and taxes in Louisiana been
collected, and these collections en-.
forced to the letter of the law, we
would not now be in our present
financial fix, and there would be nc
use of Reputation talk, or any rem.
edies sought bordering in that way
The Reports of the Auditors vii
bear us out in this data, and let oul
new law makers take the trouble tc
examine this question Of plain facts
for themselves, and we feel secure
that the remedy will become an easy
one.
This evil is worse plague on W
than the one now devastating Rus
STA, and while our law makers arr
graphing with what we owe, le
them seize the whole elephant, ant
master the mystery of what is du'
US, and above all why is it that SC
much is due Us, and remains unpaid
and why no attempt is made to col
Flect it, still for what we owe we ar,
running stark mad, and are deyisin,
means to ruin our States credit ani
damn us in the credit Of all peoples
and nations.
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