The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-04-05
The Municipal Election.

In 1886, the American Faubourg established it
independence, and under the style of the Secont
Municipality, has from that time conducted its owl
affairs. During this period, party has been il
power, except the year 1916, and part of the Yea
just closing In 1896, the Municipality had n,
wharves, and Camp, as high as Poydras, was tn
only street paved. The steamboats, all moored be
low Canal street. AT that time the assessed yalu,
Of the Municipality was $500, 900. In 1850, i
exceeds $39. OOO,0o0
That the dominant party have committed error
IN this long period may well be admitted. Wht
can look back on fifteen years past, and find NJ
acts he would gladly cancel,- if possible. Recall
the merchants who within that period have done
business in the Municipality, and see how many
OF them have gone unscathed through the revu
sions which have marked the commercial history
OF this long period. Annually the citizens have al
the polls passed on the conduct of their public off
GERS. Only once did the people, by their votes,
censure their conducts that was at the election OF
1916. But SO heartily disguised were they, by the
course of the reformers, that at the next election
not single one was left to tell the tale of their
defeat. So again last year. Though a majority
of the Aldermen were elected on the conservative
ticket, one of them Immediately went over to the
other party, and gave them the ascendancy. What
was the consequence, The finances of the NUM-
cipality at once were thrown into confusion. The
aborers, teachers and other employees, instead of
being paid on the first of the month, when their
wages were due, were put off for months. One of
the electioneering arguments Of the party had
been, that the School Teachers had not been paid
till two or three days after their salaries were due
If that was good argument in 1850, why should
it not be little stronger, when the days of delay
have been heightened into months.
1t will be borne in mind too, that by series of
accidents. the old party did recover their power,
and at the public credit was restored the EN-.
ployees regularly paid and the affairs of the Mu-
nicipality recovered their ancient order. Twice
however, the reformers by concert, absented them.
selves from the Council, and thus prevented quo.
rum, and the transaction of business. This single
act, ought to exclude every man from public trusts
1t is the worst form of Agrariansm. 1t is the
Notification of law by the men spora to maintain
it. 1t strikes at the great principle of democracy,
that the majority shall govern. We say, let the
people mark every man who lent himself to this
factious, dwelling, designating movement. Let
every such man be regarded as traitor TO Ameri.
can liberty and order. These dsgraceful tricks
and devices were resorted to, until public iniieaa.
ton could no longer be defied These men had
the sway in 1876, and during that year, the public
faith was shamefully violated Contracts were
property of the Municipality sac
rfced at Judicial sales and their taporites, ,phose
debts had been erended By the cemency of their pre-
decessors, ALLOWED to atten on the public propertu
and to reap rich haruests in the general calanity
During the short time they enjoyed power this
year, acquired too by treachery,) they introduced
political feeling into the administration of the Pub
lie Schools. They turned out the old Board, COM
posed of men of education and character against
whose official conduct not word was breathed-
men who, for years, have, without ostentation de-
voted themselves to the silent, unobtrusive dis.
charge Oh their high duties, and who asked no other
reward than the prosperity of the Schools. The
new Board, the creatures of political Judaism, ac-
luirDg their positions only by the vote of one who
nisrepresented his constituents, faithfully carried
nut the behesis of party.
The first act was to invite the public to attend
heir deliberations and listen to the eloouence and
wisdom flowing from their inspired lips They |
vere determined that their glimmering tapers |
hould not shine under bushel on the contrary.
hey borrowed all the brilliancy tina. patent reec-
'rs could give their feeble rays. This was only
he display OF ridiculous vanity and had they |
ontened themselves with this absurdity, the pub
c would have only smiled at harmless foib!e |
SUIT their next step was to arouse the religious pre-
udces OF the community, and to array sect against
'ect One OF the first rules adopted at the organ-
.auon OF the Schools, that which provided for
he opening OF the Schools by the reading of the
Scriptures, and short prayer. No complaint had
'ver been made--not conscience had ever suf
ered--no one dreamed that for ten years, the
catholics and Jews had been grooming under the |
everest tyranny. But now it was first discovered
ow cruelty they had been treated-that the Blue |
Jaws of Connecticut were here in full force. A |
entleman distinguished for his eminent virtues
nd nice religious sensibilities, was the first to
'und the alarm. The object was gained, religious
naticsm was excited, and under the war cry of
'ligous persecution, the Vandas were to gain |
ctory.
This is the secret of the School Question. Does
ny man believe that |. N. Marks would uphold a
arty which seeks to impose religious burdens ON |
he Jews? Does any body believe that Daniel
yrne will support party which persecutes the
atholics! Yet the Delta tries to produce the i'm
ression that the party which supports these men,
opposed to both Jews and Catholics For the
st time is religious belief made an element in an
ection. The intelligence Of our citizens will |
own down this unholy attempt, and by an over
helming vote rebuke this act so destructive of
ue religion. Let man the day of election
ay away from the polls because he believes
is vote unnecessary. But let every man con-
der it his duty to record his condemnation of the
sckess, disappointing party, whose brief admin. |
trations have always been marked by confusion |
nd reputation.
The Batture.
This Is made TO play an important part in the |
actics of the Delta. That paper, on several occa
ions, has spoken of the Crescent's opposition to |
he Legislative arrangement of this vexed question
The Crescent has urged the adoption of the pIan