Year: 1859

The Legislature will re-convene in Baton Rouge
this day week. The protracted adjournments which
take place the second week Of each annual session
are rendered necessary by the necessity which COM
pels the Joint Travelling Committees to visit New
Orleans and other portions Of the State for the pur
pose Of making the regular Investigations prescribed
by law It is true that in the absence of these Com
mttees bare quorums might be obtained in both
branches but it is also true that legislation carried
on in this manner would, at least might be, unjust
in its nature, and opposed to the spirit Of the Const
tuton for laws could be enacted of partial il not Of
an oppressive character while nearly onehalf Of the
State was unrepresented For these reasons, besides
many others not necessary to enumerate hold that
the annual recesses are proper and right and contend
that they should be considered praiseworhy instead
OF censurable. The matter is not generally UNDER
stood at it ought to be- and hence this brief explana
tion.


We suppose the Committees will be ready to report
early next week. With due diligence, and the exer.
else Of reasonable amount Of industry the reports
can all be prepared and submitted. Then the work
Of the session will actually commence, as little or
nothing Of importance done during the first week
owing to the excitement growing out OF the sena-
torial question. Besides, law could be passed, or
can be passed, until the apportionment Of Senators
and Representatives, as required by the 10th Article
Of the Constitution, is made by the General Assem-
bly, Thus, it will be seen at glance, that about as
much has been done by the servants Of the people as
could have been done under the circumstances


Speaking of the apportionment .hat is to be made,
reminds of the fact that the States census takers
have been sadly derelict in the discharge Of their
duties. As q general thing, the census has been
badly taken in the parishes, while in the city of
New Orleans it has not been taken at ALL to speak.
No returns have been made from one.third of the
city and the returns from the remainder show
decrease of population, when every intelligent man
knows that there has been large increase in every
precinct in the metropolis This would diminish our
representation in the General Assembly and seriously
interfere with commercial interests and credit for
the simple but sufficient reason that declining mart
of trade, as shown by official statistics, could not ex-
pect to enjoy high credit abroad. Capitalists would
point to the figures, and what could say in reply
Nothing literally nothing. Fortunately, the Com.
mon Council have taken steps to provide for the
taking Of an accurate census which will be ready to
be submitted to the Legislature soon as it meets
and we have the satisfaction of announcing to our
readers that many influential gentlemen belonging
to the dominant party have unreservedy stated that


full justice should be done to the city in the premises.


Ii, however, tnS Justice snOuld De Wltnneld, we Will
have the municipal census to fall back upon, and
from it we can prove that New Orleans has greatly
| increased in population and that she has enlarged
in every other element of wealth and prosperity,
we have abundant and incontestble evidence. Never
theless before intimated we are of the confident
opinion that the apportionment will be made the
basis furnished by the citys enumeration.


When the Legislature meets next Monday, if the


members thereof go resolutely and industriousy tc


work, they should the business Of the session


be easily transacted in three weeks, and adjourn


ment can be had by the first Monday in March. We


are entirely convinced that there is no necessity fol


occupying the whole time allowed by the Consttu


ton. Forty days. at the outside, should amply suffice


for all the purposes of legitimate legislation and il


Senators and Representatives will act this


tion sure they will receive the appreciation Of
their constituents