New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-10-01

Baxter the city OF Louisville has beel
called upon to consider the propriety c
extending aid to an air line railroad
from St. Louis to New Albany, and til
vote being taken, the decision Of IT,
people resulted in favor of tie PROPOSE
ton, coupled with certain conditions
As usual in such cases, the railroad com
pany attempted to obtain the assistance
voted to it before it had complied viii
the conditions precedent, hut owing Il
the faithfulness of the mayor these at
tempts were arrested, and the company
was at length forced to strict and exac.
compliance with the terms stipulated il
the contract. The president Of the road
testifies that Mayor Baxter held the cor
poration out Of its expected bonds 70,
twelve months, and only consented &c
issue the security after be had fully salts.
fed himself that every requirement in
favor of the city had been faithfully com.
pleted. It is great pity that there are
not more such officers.
In the course Of time the railroad IN
whose favor the city Of Louisville lad
consented to be liberal desired to purchase
lot, and j. selected one that belonged to
the firm Of which Mayor Baxter was a
member. And, Notwithstanding that the
railroad paid price for the property,
which was considered Inadequate by the
| holders Of adjoining lots, and no:with-
| standing that the transaction was con-
| Quoted with the other partners in the
firm, without any consultation with Mr.
Baxter, aud notwithstanding that the loc;.-
ton is admirable for the purpose designed
to be subserved, and the lot Just what was
wanted, the opposition to Mayor Baxter
now turns this simple business arrange
ment into an argument why be should not
again he nominated by the Democratic
party. He has specialized out Of lis Office
and is 10 longer worthy to be accounted
worthy Of fellowship with such men as
Tweed ct al
We have related the facts G: the above
case at some length, in order to allow tie
general reader to make up his mind con-
corning a general principle. Is q public
officer to be discarded for doing that
which involves no moral wrong what
ever: II fact. is not that as ruinous a
policy which sets too high an estimate on
official conduct as that which exacts too
little? Dc the acceptance Of the mayoraltv
estOp Mayor Baxter from taking care Of
his own material interests? Was lie to
allow his private affairs to 60 to ruin be-
cause he assumed to take care Of the pub
lie welfare: A public officer is nothing
more than the agent Of the people, and f.
as such, 50 long as he attends to his pub !
lie duties, the community las 10 right to
complain, but should rather sympatl;ze
with him in his efforts TO improve his
own fortunes. Tie presumption is, that
when a man is called to responsible |
trust, lie has displayed a more tLan
average business capacity, and under this
presumption it is only proper that an
honest mans store shoUld increase as
Well when be IS in position as VIXEN he is
out, for it IS all the time subject to Lis
foresight and control General
never neglected lis great
arm when he was President; Andrew
Jackson kept a shrewd eye on the Her
nitage all the time that he controlled the
and Henry Clay always felt
lively interest in Ashland, even while
lis great mind was most perp,exed with
difficulties.
1t is one Of the evils of politics that tie
'est men are degraded by partisan allu-
ions to their pecuniary condition. Doug
as and Cass were forever being accused
s corrupt, because they acquired great
'ealth while holding the unrerlunerative
flee of United States senators. Their
entures i'll western lands were never con-
ldered by the ignorant, and these legi.i-
nate transactions We're never alluded to
y those whose interest it was 10 Clefanle
hem. Ny. Slidell was always accounted ,
Spectator off of his position, and 50 was ,
lr. Benjamin. And yet all of these men
ad such great ability that il would have Z
cen almost impossible to get the advan- ;
age OF then in trade, and then minds .
'ere so active that their greatest difficulty :
as 10 select out of the many legitimate y
peculaflons that tempted them to reap I
reat fortunes from small investments. ,
During the last few years a man Of
blilty, II possessed Of nerve and faith. !;
as had many tempting opportunities to
allie very large profits from inyest-St !,
ents in public securities. IS a notable
stance, when the State conven.io, :,
sued scrip III payment Of its expenses =
is paper was deprecated by the STU =
dity of the people upon whose property &
was lien, to three and five cents on -
e dollar. Men with ten thousand to
are only had to invest in these securi- q
IS and their fortunes were made. State r.
lrrants, Jefferson City warrants. New :,
leans scrip, in fact various issues Of o.
bic paper values by corporations, have Ii
en- seized upon by capable parties and c,
de to pay handsome profits. Is a man, W
cause he holds an Office, to forego all Ii
opportunities in the way Of business? al
the people really mean to inflict an tt
ury upon those whom they honor with cI
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