New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-01-13
Condition of NewCrleans.

! honest, unpretending citizens.
| Condition of NewCrleans.
! Messrs. Editors Of The Crescent
| In the adjustment Of political and legislative
power, there is no principle more clearly estab-
lished than that representation and population
should go together. In this is recognized the
broad principle Of the equality Of man. The
distinctions of wealth are lost sight of, and ev-
cry man having an identity of interest with his
country, is placed upon the same platform
This is right; for every man who has his desti-
ny cast in land and is identified with it,,
whether he has broad acres or counts his hoard
| by millions or whether, by mingling the sweat
Of his brow with the soil, he draws from it his
support, is equally interested in its veal for
in that land rest all his enjoyments and all his
hopes. The true principle, then. of estimating
the relative weight which should be given to
different sections in selecting agents into whose
hands power should be delegated, should rest
upon the free white population. And it is with
great reluctance that set aside this broad prin-
ciple in the formation Of a Charter for the fu-
tlre government of the city But principles,
however just in themselves, cannot always be
practically applied; circumstances will and do
often govern them.
In our city we not only have portions OF popu-
| lation differing from each other, i'll language
and manners, but these different classes are
confined to particular sections; constituting, as
it were, almost separate communities. 1t is
true that time, and the genius of our institu-
tions, are gradually wearing away these dis
| tinctions but still. to some extent they exist
| with all their prejudices and influences. These
prejudices and sectional influences necessarily
exert over the minds and opinions of the popu-
laton no inconsiderable power; and in any
plan Of representation for the city, it is the part
of prudence to pay respect to this state of things
From the construction of our population there is
much constituencies, lest one portion of the city
should acquire an undue influence, and, in the
exercise of power, commit aggressiOns on the
weaker portions. To this feeling, the general
principle that representation should be based
upon population, must bend In the establish
ment of the Legislative branch of Government
| Two things are to be observed-frst, that there
| shall be sufficient centralism given as will pre-
vent sectional partialities from absorbing all
| considerations of the general good. and, sec
ondly, there must not be SO much of centralism
| Infused as will prevent local feeling and local
interest from being represented. Our Munich
pal councils at present constituted, represent
N n great measure local feeling alone, and hence
in their legislation the general good is often lost
| sight of in ministering to local feeling and in
terest There is no general o. centralizing ten
| dency to check this influence, and conse
auence, there is much unwise legislation anG
useless expenditure.
| Experience has shown that these two feeling,
but act as a check upon each other when de-
yeloped through two distinct branches Of legis
,ation In the new charter ! would, therefore
establish two legislative bodies-the one to b,
lrawn from a large and extended constituency
to be denominated the Board Of Aldermen; til,
other to be drawn from a local constituency, t.
be ,lenominated the Board of Assistant Alder
men--the two bodies constituting the Common
Council In consequence of the peculiar char
acter Of our population, | would allot to eacl
section an equal representation in the Board O
Aldermen, making it to consist of sixteen mem
bers, if Lafayette should be inclnded, and twelv
# the three Municipalities only We're united
The representation from each district or sectio
SHOULD he elected by general ticket in that sec
ton, and hold office for two years-one- ha
going out of Office every year. \ Board hayin
J, a constituency thus extended, and holding offic
, for such term, would lose its local character
and in its legislation would cheek too grea
tendency to local expenditure.
The Lower House, on Board of Assistant A
lermen, should consist of not more than thirt
members, be elected annually from particult
Districts or Wards, and be apportioned upon Il
basis of the voters of the city. Each Ward
District should be entitled to ut least one repr
Y sentative; but the farther allotment of the +
t personalities should he upon the voting popul
l. ion. A census should be taken every four
it ak years, and new apportionment be made.
n, \ board thus drawn from particular section
H. and coming in daily contact with their cons
s. tuents, would represent the local interest al
he feeling of each portion of the city, and acti
upon the Board of Aldermen. would prove
ne those local interests upon which 80 much of t
We comfort and convenience of the inhabitants
r. pend from being overlooked. An organizati
ne such as this would prevent each portion of t
re city from any oppression. In the Board of 4
it dermen, each section of the city having the sal
It's representation, the Third Municipality and
al fayette united, would at any time be able
s. check any measure of oppression that ths
al more powerful neighbor. the First and seeo
ne municipalities, might wish TO impose on the