St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1882-07-22
OUR CONGRESSMAN.

a lengthy address to the people of
the Sixth Congressional District, in
which he g:v"s an account OF his
course IL Congress during the three
terms Il which lie has served as
Representative from this District,
and we venture tie assertion that
no member OF Congress can show
better record. It was greatly due
to his nntiring efforts that the ques-
ton OF protecting the alluvial lands
of the Mississippi Valley from over
flow was taken into consideration
in connection with the improvement
OF the navigation of the river, anG
the result is that a bill has Just
been passed in Congress making an
appropriation Of 100000 for the
purpose of building and repairing
levees.
This, however, is but a small
portion of the important work that
Congressman Robertson has been
greatly instrumental in accomplish
ing for the benefit Of his people and
State. He has recently introduced
Il bill $50 reliuquish the cotton tax
collected from the alluvial States,
and to appropriate the same for the
permanent Improvement of tie
Mississippi River and protection of
its valley" The bill is intended to
carry ont the wishes Of the Presi-
dent, as stated in his recent mes
sage, and when it comes up for
consideration Will make direct
and square issue between the aavo-
Gates and opponents OF protection.
lie has also introduced a bill to
amend the general statutes SO as to
exclude all lotteries frcm the bene-
lit of the mails. In this connection
Congressman Robertson says:
The Louisiana State Lottery"
bearing us it does the name of the
State, is bringing it and our people
into unenviable notoriety and dis
repute abroad. 1t is corrupting
the morals of nos only the people of
our State, but throughout the whole
United States, for its demoralizing
agencies are widespread. 1t is
generally believed that it has a legal
charter and has in the new consti-
tuition been recognized as binding
contract upon the people of the
State. Under the recent decision
of the United States Supreme Court
in the case of Stone VS.. the State of
Mississippi, the right of the people
of the State to barter away it's po-
lice powers, either by act of the
Legislature or By a constitutional
provision, was denied. The Legis-
lature Of the State Of Louisiana,
having by acc approved March 20,
1879, repealed its charter, it has no
legal existence, aud | pronounce il
an unmitigated fraud | propose
to press this matter to the extent of |
my ability, and call the attention OF
all interested III the welfare of
Louisiana to be active III their duty !
Of retrieving the good name of the |
State.
Congressman Robertson also sue !
ceeded II securing an agreement
with the New Orleans and Pacific
Railroad Company, as transterees
OF the rights and privileges Of the
New Orleans, Baton Rouge and
Vickshurg Railroad Company, COW
ering the lands granted to that
company, by which agreement the
rights of actual settlers to retain
their land were fully recognized and
secured. The agreement also Sc
cured the obligation Of this COM
pany to build IL branch road to the
city Of Baton Rouge, which they
have done, aud which has resulted
in great benefit to the people of our
District, by securing railway com
with the capital of the
State.
He has also introduced a bill!
providing for the establishment of
Z hfe-saving service upon the Mis-