The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-05-14
New Orleans Correspondence of The
Clarion.
NEW ORLEANS. MAY 10. 1879

NEW ORLEANS, May 10, 1879.
The Convention ''drags its slow length
along" Ii seems less like sovereign body
assembled to frame new system Of govern
ment than an ordinary legislative body. 1t
has received numerous propositions and lnau-
gurated business with which, it seems 10 me,
a Convention has nothing to do. There are
few great names in this body. | once saw a
Convention here, assembled in this same
building, the great ballroom of the ST. Louis
Hotel then in its glory and among the mem
bers were Grimes, Preston, Mazareau, Soule,
Benjamin, Eustis Brent, Marigny, Downs,
Taylor, Conrad, w. c. {. Claiborne and others.
But now, alas, the splendid edifce is dilapida-
ted and deserted. The Hon. Thomas J.
Semmes is, undoubtedly the most learned and
able lawyer in the body, but scholarship is
not craftsmanship and his influence is inn
paired by the close professional relations he Is
understood 10 maintain with the great fund
mongers, bankers, &C., of this city-very
profitable to him, but not calculated to increase
his popularity as a statesman.
This Convention has established a Commit
tee on Finance, expressly to consider the
deplorable financial condition of the State
yet, singular to say, it has referred every
financial question to special committees
leaving its standing committee entirely with
out business. Recently the stockholders and
other commercial persons had conference
with these special committees and the Finance
To "a man up tree" il looks very much
now as though the"rings" intend TO run the Con
ventlon. When bodies of men, whose interest
II Is 10 keep the taxes up TO the highest point,
and who represent foreign and eastern usurers
can summon the committees OF the Convention
night after night, and dictate their action, it
looks As II there lis something rotten in Den
mark"
\ poorer and more distressed people than
the people OF this city and of Louisiana gem
orally, are not TO be found anywhere For the
first time the delinquent taxpayers are chief
ly the small property holders, who have fall
en- behind hand under the pressure of hard
times, enormous taxation, low wages and
Bank spoliations. Yet the naughty stock
jobbers and their representatives are frowning
down all propositions for relief and are evil
IDENTIFY resolved To exact the pound of flesh"
fear the Convention, which came here
with good intentions, will be overawed Ii |
had thousand votes | would give them for
the removal OF the seat Of government from
this city.
The Board of Health excluded the reporter
Of the Times, few days since, from their
body. 1t is our pleasure, " said the Presi-
lent that you retire, and no more return
here \ high-handed measure that strikes
At the liberty of the press and the freekom of
discussion. l have reviewed the whole con-
tuct OF the reporter, who is a gentleman of
nigh standing, and boldly say he only did his
iuty- Boards of Health should be closely
They are not always immaculate.
md sometimes their assumptions must be
hecked. The reporter is the man Ia dopit. and
whether in or out of the room, hope the able
eporter for the Times will be ON the qui rtrc.
TAX PAYER.