Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-01
FOR PRESIDENT,
w, S, HANCOCK,
Pennsylvania.
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
KEEP IT BEFORE THE PEOPLE.

Inc pCrSlstClCy WlCi "l'V" I'c ~"
rocotc has criticised the appointment
Of Major Bird as Superintendent by
the State House Commissioners, cvi'
denccs something more than the ordi,
nary motives which prompt " jour
nalist to express his opinion on Il
subject Of public interest.
The continuously repeated cry That
it sets up, that mechanic or an ~
clitcct from here should have been
selected for the position referred to,
cannot be dictated by any other mo-
tive than to excite the jealo,sics o'
ptrjudiccs Of that class OF our citizens,
for tho reason that, no later than two
weeks ago, Mr.. Annis was urging the
appointment of Mr.. Frcrct, II gentle
man totally unknown, at that time,
in this community. So much for his
sudden outburst of sympathy for ol'l
mechanics.
The Commissioners arc gentlemen
OF the highest character, who feel
that they will be responsible to the
people of the State for the use that
will bc made of the sum of Sl7G,WO.
They are not likely to place this
amount within the control of any per
son, unless such person bc ono whose
character for honesty, practical knowl-
edge Of business aflairsand energy, is
unqucstionablc.
Major Bird is II gentleman who has
been u prominent planter and has had
large experience in tho matter of ST.
pcrvising the construction of cxtcnsi-
We buildings, such as sugar houses,
one of which, his own, was burned
by the Fcdcrals, as his penalty for
the patriotic services he rendered
Gen. Breckenridge on the battlefield
of Baton Rouge, and his devotion to
his native State, manifested to the
end of the war. In the tented field,
in the political arena, in public or
private life, Major Bird has shown
himself to be energetic. honorable,
competent, and rs true to his princi-
pies and his word as u Toledo blade;
so much SO, that If the Commissioners
required it, lie could furnish II bond
for any amount.
Tho Commissioners and the people
of the State won't tolerate any job
bing or fraudulent transactions in
this matter. 1t is for this reason that
they named Major Bird as ono upon
whom no shadow of suspicion can
possibly rest.
The Commissioners intend to rem
der u faithful account of their stew
ardslip, and will not spend u dollar
more of tho States money than is
absolutely required, in their opinion,
to fulfill their trust-in evidence Of
which intention they have begun by
deciding that the walls Of the Capitol
will not TIC unnecessarily torn down,
although y legislative subcommittee
recommended such action. They
will thereby save to the State thou
sands of dollars, which otherwise
would have been irittclcd away.
They will not be whipped away from
the line of their duty by the clamor
of any set ofindividuals. Their res
possibility is not alone due to Baton
Rouge, but it is also due to the State. |
AS fur as the sacrifices which the
Adrocatc credits to our citizens in the !
matter of their subscription, it should
not be overlooked that the security !
is of the best, bearing us it does an
interest of eight per- rent or double the
rate paid by the United States Oh the
National loan.
It seems to It's that our people should
be satisfied to sec that the Capitol is
about to be rebuilt, especially when
the Commissioners show by their pre-
liminary actions, that jobs or swim
ding contracts will not be allowed,
owing to the safeguards they have
placed in appointing such well
known and responsible citizen as
Major ThompsonJ. Bird, whose great
est fault with certain parties is, that
lie is an uucompromising Democrat,
and II powerful antagonist to tho op-
ponents of the Democracy of this par
ish.