Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1865-12-07
Universal Suffrage Frequency of
40 Elections

anofesponsiDhlty. II mas Deen luiiy
tested and found wanting in those
benefcent and all-saving principles
which in times past were SO exulting.
ly claimed for it by its agrarian ad.
voeates and supporters. " The touch.
stone of wisdom and experience has
given to it a reactionary momentum
which bids fair to consign it to the
grave of political fallacies and obso-
lete ideas. Akin to it, aud under
going like transition in the popular
mind, is the overdone policy which
saddles upon communities the oft-re'
peated burden and expense of hold
ing elections for officers which had
better be filed by Executive appoint
ments. Gov. WELLS, in his recent
measure to the Legislature, took oc-
casion to touch upon this subject,
and his reasoning is cogent and to
the purpose, when he observes that,
"the election of Judges, Recorders,
Clerks and sherifs, mainly from per-
sonal and political feeling, rather
than capacity and fitness of the in
dividual for the trust, has shaken
public confidence in the administra-
ton of justice, besides rendering it
expensive, tardy, and to the last de-
gree uncertain
Of course, all systems of human
origin are susceptible of errors and
| abuses and cannot be taken as in
fallible standards for the attainment
of the objects to which they, may
apply; but there are certain well es-
tablished principles in political as
we'll as social ethics which, when
clearly brought to light through the
aid of observation and experience,
are of essential consequence in the
proper devising of every plan look
ing to reformation, and to an adjust
ment OF measures so as to meet the
varying order Of circumstances. The
"inexorable logic Of events" very
plainly indicates the necessity of an
amendment both in the elective and
franchise systems as at present toler-
ated in our State. These systems,
in the radical sense in which they
have been legalized and praeticed,
are neither wise, expedient or neces-
sary, and at this particular juncture
in the affairs of the country, when
reconstruction" is the order of the
day, we hope that they will be taken
in hand by our lawmakers and wise
~ reconstructed" on principles,
which SAVIOR more Of an enlightened
and healthy conservatism and less of
that baneful party demagogism which,
has been the author, abettor and sup
porter of SO many principles and
theories conducive to its own self
aggrandizement but ruinous to the
people and the country.
I The New Orleans Times Of No
vember 2Sth, contains very able
and intelligent editorial On claw
making" in the conclusion Of which
appears the paragraph below, relat-
ing to the questions we have Just
been treating. We commend the
editors ideas, so well conceived and
happily expressed, to our reading
public, and to all meritorious suffra-
gans: 1.s s''..
Our organic law, it is understood, |
will be amended or rebuilt. What. |
ever course Of action is adopted in rela-
ton to it all, such correctives should |
be applied as promise to check the de. |
moralizing excuses which grew out of |
a too extended suffrage and too fire.
quent elections. Instead of enlarg-
ing the right of suffrage, we should |
restrict it to such as know how to use
it wisely and appreciate it at its prop.
er value. The man who does not earn |
an honest livelihood has no right to
vote as the peer of those who do, and
thieves and burglars are not the best