St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-05-20
NEW ORLEANS, La, May IL, 'S2.

NEW ORLEANS, La, May 12, 's2.
The removal of the Capital to Baton
Rouge is a great loss to the Crescent
City, all assertions to the contrary not
withstanding, and the loss of the State
House is severely felt by the people,
particularly by those who have busi
ness to transact with the different de-
partments. On the other hand the
town of Baton Rouge will prosper and
grow stronger every day and its
fame will soon become national. 1t
will rise from obscurity and its great
men who have heretofore been union
,ored and unsung, will take a front
seat amongst the great men OF the
country and make the welkin ring for
And SO the day will come when the fes-
tive hoosiers will be "bosses of the
RANCH" and city culture and pstheti-
scism will have to take a back seat:
We are marching backward instead OF
forward, and New Orleans is getting
left in the cold. There must be a
change, or anarchy will follow. On,
Baton Rouge! give us, give us back
the legislature and take the rest. This
abduction must cease!
The Grand State Competitive Drill at
the Fair Grounds will take place on the
33d and gath. Military companies from
different portions Of the South will par
:ticipate, and magnificent celebration
IS antipated. The Mascot people have
won their fight, and Mr.. Van Benthuy-
sen is downhearted. Having invested
d thousand dollars in lawyers fees
with no satisfactory results, it is not to
be expected that he should be assum--
ha ~, n +hn in fpnnt nf
the Times Democrat office. We warned
Mr.. Van Benthuysen that all his 'kick-
ing" would amount to naught along
side OF the freedom of the press, and
advised him in friendly spirit to "take
the bull by the horns," as it were by
resorting to the shotgun policy in fair
fight. His obstinacy has brought him
defeat, and he is now in a worse pre-
dlcament than ever, and moreover the
Mascot people are once more breathing
the free air Of Heaven whilst he and
his son have nice chance to retire for
a short while from the exciting cares OF
life to the quiet scenes OF prison life.
OF course the Jury and the Judge have
yet to pass upon their case, but the pub
tic have already convicted them. Now
only sentence remains to be put. The
reader must no doubt remember that
Messrs. Van Benthuysen pointed four
pistols at the head OF one OF the edl-
tors of the Mascot, and that it was only
owing to the latter'S extraordinary pres
ence of mind that he saved his life.
The Grand United Order OF Odd Eel
lows of Louisiana, an organization
composed of the best colored people in
the State, celebrated its sixteenth ami
versay on Wednesday, the 10th instant,
by a grand parade and promenade con-
cert and Odd Fellows levee. Col.
James Lewis commanded the parade.
1t is reported that the -police-aids-
Tom and Mike Hennessy who were ac-
quilted on the charge of murder a few
weeks ago, will go to Texas in the en-
ploy of an Express Company,
Amongst the numerous bills intro
duced in the Legislature, one in partic
ular deserves mention. The bill will
require judges Of all the courts in the
State to hold court during the term
at least six hours every day not dies
non, and prohibiting them from closing
the terms of their courts before the
fifth day previous to the opening OF an
other term thereof in another parish.
All intelligent and humane people
must concede that a change, from the
present administration OF Justice is a
.consummation devoutly to be wished.
Another highly desirable law and
one which, according to the latest pro-
ceeding of the legislature will soon be
enacted is one requiring judges OF the
District Court in all the parishes to as
sign one month OF every jury term for
the purpose OF the trial of the civil jury
cases on the merits by preference over
all other cases.
A law should also be passed prohibi
ting the District Attorney or other pros
.ecuting officer from holding any COM
munication whatever with the Grand
Jury. Some District Attorneys ought
TO be taught their duties in the prem
Uses before entering upon the discharge
of their office. The presiding judges
should bear in mind that District Attor-
They are supposed to have other duties
to perform. The legislature has so far
shown marked disposition to legis-
late for the public good, and we hope it
God speed. But the State Assembly
will commit a grave mistake it they re-
move the Supreme Court to Baton
Rouge. Such a step may be advisable
at a later period, but just now it is pre-
mature. Baton Rouge has not reached
that perfection in culinary art and
a,stheticism to warrant the removal OF
the Supreme Court from New Orleans.
PHYSICIANS will tell you that aesthetic
living is highly beneficial to the mind,
and develops to it's fullness the intel
Iectual faculty. Partisan grub has not
vet made its appearance in Baton
Rouge. In fact, outside OF Grouchy's
yelloW-legged chickens, mashed pota-
toes. tough steaks, and California wine,
we doubt if an epicurian could last
very long in the new capital of the Pei
ican State.
The Supreme Court has rendered q
very important decision which will