New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-12
A EREEZIKG Reform.

An appeal OF the most affecting nature
reaches us through the Ba.le..n against
the Mayor as the author Of q retrench-
ment which affects tina; worthy an6 self
sacrificing class Of gentlemen who are
untavorably known to the litigating por-
ton Of the community as clerks OF the
district courts. Mr.. Flanders has left
THIS body Of public servants out il the
cold until they buy their own coal ; and
i. is against this action that the appeal Is
made. 1t seems that the private offices
Of the district clerks have hitherto been
supplied with fuel at the expense OF the
city, but the Mayor, seeing no warrant Of
law or suggestion Of public policy why
this expense should be saddled on the
corporation, refused 20 continue the sup
plies. Eow The practice ever grew upon
the city it would be hard to explain. ea-
cept rpon the hypothesis that Democratic
councils imposed all manner Of burdens
upon the treasury at the solicitation OF
their political friends. The c!erkshirs of
remuneratiye public offices, paying hand
some fortunes 20 their fortunate pos
SCISSORS, as is ahundantly proved by the
anxiety Of men in public life to secure
these positions. The rooms which the
city supplies to the Jerks are really places
of business for these officers. which 1t is
to their interest to make comfortable and
attractive, for this is the usua! way that
men adopt to attrac: customers. Lawyers
and clients are the patrons OF the clerk.
and if the place Of their collocatlor Is
dismal, dreary and uncomfortable, the
disposition to engage in Htigious pro-
cesses is liable to be cut short with as
few papers as the case in hand will admit
of. The general public is not
interested IN the business OF
the dis:ric. courts, for litigation
is not an amusemen: that .ar be con-
sidered attractive OF profitable to the
community at large. I: is true that
society consents to pay ior court houses
but this is done IN order 20 protee: the
judges and the records. !: Used to be the
custom to pay the clerks salary. but this
system was abandoned a: the instance Of
the officers themselves. who suggested
that they could be O: greater service to
the public if they were allowed 70 Charge
the litigants according %. the amount OF
work done in each case. Here was where
the Office of clerA ceased 70 be az incum-
brance OF the public treasury. the schedule
Of charges being fixed q: s,!ch rates as 10
Justify the Office. IL t:schareirc the
general publ ron. ~: br,.oan n the
matter.
Mayor FLANDERS ras been Il pubic lie
long enough 70 rellember;he ancient GUS
tom, ard he = exac: enough II his busi-
ness IDEAS 70 know tia: the prevailing
custom. Of paying Coz ooal out OF tie city
treasury for the use Q. he Gistr:c. clerks
is not business transaction. nor IS il an
honest Obligation on he city. Therefore
he has lbolishe! i, and the clerks who
make their bread n their Offices Will here
afte, ne required to buy :Le;c OWL wood
until the Democrats return 70 power and
again open che d0o.. c. tie city treasury
TO their little bis.
There are other evils eZ.>:.ng; IL :he re-
latiors Of me Jackson square brigade
with the city which the Mayor can investi-
gate with profit 20 the corporation. and
since he has commence! n tina; quarter
let us hope Ia: ne viii proceed TO the
entire ezten. Of cutting down fees IN
criminal cases. ia! fees, and costs in civil
cases. # we oan 81. back TO square
standard il tbs matte: durin: the next
two years t viii then require at least
twenty years to- tie Democrats to corrupt
the public service with Unnecessary
charges. even j: they alo1l! unfortunate
" come INTO power.