[196] They were very generous with the fees for postage, lavish to their officers and employees, made a specialty of special committees, passed a most liberal and loose pension act for the veterans of 1814-15, and took active steps for the erection of a new state house. They had learned nothing from the deficiency in the revenue of the preceding year but proceeded to quibble about levying a tax of four or five mills though Federal investigation would show that agricultural property could easily bear a heavier tax. Sen. Jour., 1870, 41, 57; House Deb., 1870, 238; Sen. Repts., 42 Cong., 2 Sess., No. 41, Pt. i., 203.
[197] “But I say, take up the city charter bill, and if you do not, I assure you that you will not make much progress on the school bill.” Sen. Deb., 1870, 783. Also House Deb., 200.
[198] “I now make a fair, honest proposition to the friends of the bill. If they will give me time—say till to-morrow, to read this bill, to examine it—I promise then, upon my word and sacred honor, that I will not oppose its passage by resorting to those parliamentary tactics commonly known as filibustering.” House Deb., 1870, 74.
[199] Jan. 21, Ibid., 48-57; Jan. 24.
[200] Sen. Jour., 1870, 12, 13.
[201] Ibid., 216-22.
[202] The militia, registration, and New Orleans charter bills had run the gauntlet of the Senate but were still pending in the House.
[203] The House had already consulted the attorney-general about the constitutionality of prolonging the session. House Jour., 1870, 97.
[204] House Deb., 1870, 295.
[205] Laws of Louisiana, Extra Session, 1870, No. 70.