The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-01-05
OUR NEW ORLEANS LETTER.

The result of the protracted labor of til,
Democratic State convention at Batp1
Rouge has produced an unusual impression
here. It was not expected previous to th,
meeting that the opposition to the presen
State administration could bring to a tes
vote such q strong4array as was actuall,
moved to centre upon Gen. Nichols. /
was felt that some blunders had been made
and difficulty existed in the way Of combin
ing the opposition upon any prominen
name presented by them. The eight tt
seven votes in the COMMITTEES on credentials
were suggestive of reflections on the yalidit,
of the majority for McEnery. II is nov
believed that if Gen. Nichols had freel,
consented few days in advance he would
to-day be the nominee Of his party, and an
administration would be rebuked for iss
shortcomings. What has triumphed? is the
question thoughtful Democrats are care
fully musing; and could the way be made
| clear to bring out a ticket OF respectable
composition, there are thousands ready to
give effect to what they believe to be the
will OF the Democracy sof the State, as
against the obnoxious results Of ring meth
ods.
The City Council not only Withdrew its
impeachment programme against the City
Treasurer, but formally invited that much
abused official to resnter upon the discharge
Of his duties. The public will never know
the amount Of constitutional law the Coun-
cilmen imbibed duringsthe progress Of this
fiasco, but it is supposed they were all tired
out and glad to turnEto something little
easier to handle.
For instance, the next exploit of these
Solons was the adoption of an ordinance
requiring the Electric Light Company to
pay yearly a tar of $5.for every pole erected
within the city limits. These were very
long poles to bring down the persimmons
but another constitutional obstacle inter
feres with the exercise of the sweet will and
harmony of the plan. Taxation must be
equal and uniform, and it viii never do to
tax electric light poles and give the freedom
of the city to the WesternsU Union Telegraph
poles. If there is any thing more out of
place than taxing the light in the public
streets, when gas glimmers feebly in the
darkness, it is not recalled at this moment.
According to the chronicles, ,about four
years ago a party of drummers suggested
and put into practice the footing of horns
during the Christmas holidays. It was
something novel o.witnessss the frantic at
tempts of diminutive men, weak in the
lumbar region, To get q sufficient amount
of blast. out of horns ten feet long. Their
feat waslremembered on the ensuing holi-
days, and the initiative faculties Of all
New Orleans we're aroused. The noise in
creased from year to year, until this week
Canal street resounded with asuperabund-
ancezof deafening racket. Every element
of society was represented in the throng of
horn blowers, and it took them remarka-
bly, short time to convince aIlEE,disinter
observers. that they were an intolerable
Nuisance. The press has spoken and police
authority will probably follow to suppress
thesimported freak.
A hopeful indication of dawning per-
ception of great need of the hourSis:the
association of several prominent citizens for
the promotion of the caGee Of education in
this city and State. The New Orleans Ed
ucational Society is oficered by Hon. Louis
Bush as president; Hon. z. T. Merrick, vice
president; Rev. /. L. Leucht end Mr.. G
Eustis, secretaries. Rev. Drs. Palmer, Hol-
land, Smith and Gutheim, and others of
nearly equal popularity and eminence are
enrolled in the membership. These gentle
men have it in their power by diligent and
persistent labor to make public education
better appreciated than ever before. Only
a few moments consultation of the cen sus
tables of 1880 is necessary to reveal the
amount of illiteracy to be overcome for the
general good of society, while the Auditor
and State Treasurer can tell story in small
figures covering shameful and niggardIy
State policy. r here is no economy in starv
ing the minds of children, OF breeding a
pa upper class incapable of contending with
civihzing forces.
In many Catholic households the joy of
the holidays is subdued by the thought that
Archbishop Perche has en6ed his earthly
career. This beloved Bishop and counselor
held warm place in the affections of his
people. He spent his best years and ripened
powers in the service of the diocese; and the
mum erous visitors to the sick chamber and
to his remains lying in state at the Cathe-
dral testify to their appreciation.
Business continues to be fair. The new
railroads are increasing the freights. The
sugar men are little uneasy over the free
trade tendency of Speaker Carlisle.
GENERAL. OBSERVER.
Gaspard Menard and Seyenue Cham
payne, white men, quarreled at ball on
Cypress Island, st. Martin parish, and ex-
changed several lshoss. Menard was severely
and Champagne fatally wounded.
Sol Davis was killed by Marshall James
on Myrtle Grove plantation, near Plaque
mine. The men had both been drinking
and guarreled over game of dice. Both