The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1890-03-15
Work for the Legislature.

Monroe Telegraph Bulletin
AS the time draws near for the bien-
hial meeting of our State Legislature,
IT seems proper thing for the press and
people to discuss beforehand what mea :
sures they desire to be introduced and
passed at the coming session. This is
all the more important when we con-
slider that the Legislators are elected for
so long term as four years and meet
only once in two years, so that they are
extremely Liable to get away from the
people and to become ignorant of the
public's wishes, unless these matters are
freely discussed and sifted for tlIeir in
formation. We can imagine no sadder
or more pitiable spectacle than a legis-
lator called on to vote on some question
or measure when he does not know the
wishes Of his constituents on that Oues-
ton. Of course it is to be presumed
that the people select their law makers
with reference to their wisdom and e.
deity and fitness to protect the public
/ veal but we hold that it is equally ne
cessaTy for the preservation of the lib
critics of the people that they should
/ take pains from time to time to let their
IL
expected and required to do on all I'M
portant subjects. This serves d double
purpose: it saves the faithful public
servant from honest mistakes, and ID
prevents the knave from pleading that
he voted in ignorance of the public will.
With these views, we propose to dis
charge Journalists duty to the people
by making timely legislative sugges-
tions in accord with what we believe to
be their interest and wish. If the press
| throughout the State will follow our ex-
ample, we can pour stream of light on
legislative matters for the next two
months that will necessarily result 10
good to the future of this common
wealth.
In the first place, we suggest that the
Legislature reform the expenditures of
onr COVE. Nment so as to bring them to
the same lbVel as the expenses of our
surrounding sister States. Let some
member provide himself with an accu-
rate statement of the expenses, say, of
Mississippi, and then introduce bill
to bring our expenses to the same stand
ard. You will be surprised to find how
much more government costs in Loulsi-
ana than in Mississippi. You will be
particularly struck with the difference
in the cost of our judicial system and
that of Mississippi, which is larger
State than ours, and the laws there are
as efficiently administered. Yet the
judges and district attorneys of Mssis-
sippi cost less than one third the amount
paid to judges and district attorneys in
Louisiana! This sounds incredible, but
it is true, and its truth is our shame.
As to the details of reducing public
expenses, We will only now refer to the
changes which should be made in the
judiciary department. 1t is beyond
question the wish and interest of the
people that the Ciicnit Courts should
De AAeplished in toto. They served an
honorable and useful purpose when they
we've organized. That purpose has been
accomplished. They are not now need
ed. and it is the utmost folly for the
State to continue to pay for them.
1t is equally certain and beyond ques-
ton that the number of district Judges
and district attorneys should be reduced
to fifteen for the entire Sslate Do not
be misled. Do not submit to any ,esort}
promise. Fifteen distsects aregs, pie. |
Experience and COZ raion 4 6 both
prove this. The ey re- ...fy number
Of distrissts isi now 4hd memb5tate without
history, is the an N 4feesult Of the gener
Gus but no o1ss3Hffiotie sHffiIotie effort of the consti-
tuition all.5sah6nvention of 1879 to provide |
eeaes$Of its members with an office If
You do not correct this evil, legislators,
yOu will not deserve well of the repnb-
lie.
A question closely akin to the reduc |
tion of expenses is provision for fair
er assessment in this State, to the end |
that our revenue may be adequate to the
States wants. There are millions of
corporate property in this State which |
is not assessed for one-third its value.
Thousands of merchants pay insurance |
on much larger amount than they do |
taxes. Let the Legislature proceed OF
once to investigate this subject and |
adopt some mefaad of equalization.
Every Well4informed man admits that |
if the Stat5e4 aSerssty were fairly as
sessed six mills would furnish taxes
enough TO pay the interest on our debt,
all reasonable governmental expenses
aud a generous allowance for schools,
charitable institutions and leyees.
Then why should there be any insane
talk about increasing the rate of tax
alton ~ In this connection We
would advise that the assessors be made
elective by the people.
We would advise that railroad |
commission be created at once by the
Legislature, similar to the railroad COM
missions that exist in our sister States.
The vile charge has been made that the
have too much influence in
the Louisiana Legislature to permit of
any legislation regulating their con-
duet in this State. Give the lie to this I
charge by creating fair commission
whose powers shall be of the same
scope and character as those possessed I
by the Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion and all the railroad commissions
Of other Southern States. If you can
not otherwise inform yourselves of how
these laws are enacted and enforced in
other States, appoint special commit
tee to gather the information. Let it
no longer be possible to say that Loui-
siaIia is behind any other State in legis-
latige reform and popular government.
We invite the careful and Sc
rious attention Of the Legislature to the
subject Of public education. Sufficient
provision has not been made and though
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