The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-01-08
An Extra Session.
Monroe BuiletiD.]

The truth of the matter ia just
this. the State OF Louisiana Is bank.
rupt. The convention realized the
fact and tried to surmount the Diff
tlculty by curtailing expenses, chief
among which was the adoption OF
biennial instead Of annual sessions
OF the Legislature.
The most cOgent reason assigned
Tor calling an extra session fs to give
the General Assembly another Oh.
rortunity to make q charter for New
Orleans in conformity to the new
constitution. 1t should be borne in
mind that under the fundamental
law New Orleans Is q separate gov.
eminent and that hss delegates
claimed the exclusive privilege OF
legislating for her. Differences among
them, fancied or real, delayed the
result OF their labors linear the
close Of the session. Such as it was
passed both houses, but for many
reasons assigned was vetoed by the
Governor. For want OF time or In.
clination to frame q new bill and get
through under the rules 1t went over
and left the city government in stat,I
quo. Individuals and 4 portion OF
the press have censured the Govern.
or for his action. The Supreme
Court has constantly applauded him.
Choose between them.
The country, having no interest In
the matter, was willing to make any
grant the city might require. but the
city having failed to offer one in &C.
cordance with law, Is the country un.
der any obligations to incur the ex.
pense to correct the error in advance
OF the regular session? Is not the
interest OF classes or cliques too man.
Hest to promise any great improve
ment upon the vetoed bill? Can We
not reasonably expect some relief
from the wisdom aud eudeav0r Of
the new city authorities
The State revenue bill is q UNIQUE
piece OF legislation, but how can an
extra session in January or February
affect the levy for 1880? By article
46 OF the constitution, the Legisla.
ture Is forbidden to extend the time
for the assessment or collection Of
taxes (Art. 2l2 except In case OF over.
flow, general contlagration, general
destruction OF the crops or other
public calamity. On tue face Of at.
fairs the hands Ol the Legislature
would! be tied unless they should
choose the C9sarian method and
wipe out all the taxes.
II 1t be true that Gov. Wiltz has
not the ability to conduct the State
through the crisis and that the Leg
islature has not the wisdom to direct
him, then We are not only unaltera.
bly, opposed to an extra session. but
would gladly know that there would
be no regular session until after the
next general election.
We DO not concur in such whole
sale dlsparagement. Constituents
may not have been as discreet as
they should have been In the choice
Of their lawmakers, and they may
be now suffering for it. There are
men in both Houses OF fair talents
and noble purpose. As to Governor
Wilt, the Want Of ability is 4 new in.
dictment. He displayed nerve In w.
TONG the city charter, and il he has
not great ability he has q tact for i'm.
posing upon wisdom 10 q truly won.
derful manner. Tue first men in the
State advocated his nomination and
approved his candidacy. HE youth
was against him but his peculiar it,
ness for the crisis bore down all op.
position. He Is not responsible for
The condition OF the State aud he is
not censurable for bis inability to ex.
trlcate her. No Que Ia expected to
DO impossible things.
An extra session might aggravate
our grievances, when time and re-.
Election might tighten the burden
and open the way for On honorable
settlement Of all our troubles and an
introduction to q new career Of hap.
piness aud prosperity that will be
doubly appreciated on account of the
trials through which We were COM
PEELED to pass.