New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-12

u e1eO tuelI ABUSE ana 1O1cule upon o.
: efforts to put the ballot in the hands
9 the colored race, and because we insiste
upon their right to hold Office. The fir
was vitality necessary for their protection
, and the latter was q natural sequence ,
! their newly acquired franchise.
And now that we propose to continu
in the work of reforming abuses, as we
the old ones as those which have grow
up under the new order of things, th
Times fippantly suggests the articles {
our faith. and points out those thing
which. in its judgment, should hereafte
become objects of our solicitude. "
are always glad to receive suggestions
and give to every man patient hearing
But We can not sacrifice our right of judg
ment to others, especially to those VIII
are so apt to be on the wrong side as tn
Times has proved itself to be. We shall
therefore, be compelled to make selection
from the programme thrust upon US TO
our swallowing by our disinterested con
temporary, which embraces nine PROPOSE
tons, as follows:
l. A repeal of the tax bill, 60 as to arres,
the present enormous diversion Of the reve
nuee of the State to the enrichment of Office
holders and favorites.
9. The abolition of the State assessorships
and the adoption of the city assessment by
| the State.
| 3. The reduction of the enormous patron.
| age and appointing power of the Executive.
4. The modification of the Metropolitan
Police bill, 90 a. to reduce the expenses
thereof to one-half tho present figures. The
other side might 60 step further and
abolish the whole system and remit the con-
5. The reduction of the expense of the
Legislature to one-third the cost of the re.
cent sessions.
6. The rigid adherence to the constitu-
ti0nal limitation of the debt of the State
already reached.
Z. The repeal of the various charters to
bogus or ideal corporations, and the annul-
ment Of the grants to them.
8. The entire overhauling of the printing
bill, 90 ~ to prevent the newspapers being
made party organs at the cost Of the
9. The enactment of severe penal laws
against all persons who are guilty of any
sort of bribery, venality, corruption, or ex-
t0rti0n in Office.
In the first place, a total repeal of the
tax bill would be equivalent to the disso-
luton of the State government, and would
not be thought very wise act of states
manship. But the taxes may be reduced
and properly should be, and some provi-
sion to secure their more faithful collec-
ton would appear to US to be very i'm
portant step in the right direction. To
impose heavy taxes upon those who are
willing to pay, to supply the deficiency
caused by the refusal of another to con-
tribute to the public expenses, is an act
Of necessity rather than justice, and one
which State should use all its power to
avoid. The assessed taxes remaining un-
paid in this State, with interest added,
would make prodigious sum, almost
enough, perhaps, to pay the State debt.
And as there are public expenditures
which can not be avoided, there must be
tax laws authorizing the collection of the
money. The first proposition of the |
Times, therefore, savors rather of destruc-
ion than reform.
The second proposition is more reason
'ble, though it looks to an innovation Of
! time-honored custom. There are diff
erent opinions on the subject, which is
,learly debatable one.
As for the third item, all we have to say
8, that when the people, through their
accredited representatives, are dissatisfied
With the manner in which the Governor
Yields the power they have conferred
lpon him, they may take it away without
lissent from us.
The REPUBLICAN endeavored last winter
o secure modification of the police bill,
ut unexpected opposition and treachery
ucceeded in defeating the friends of the
MEASURE. The bill which was prepared
Or that purpose was stolen in the Sen
te.
II anything we can do or say will Sc
ure the reduction of the expenses of the
legislature to one-third the cost of the
ecent sessions, we shall certainly do and
ay it. We know that the last session
ost the people an extraordinary sum, and
re have not failed to censure those who
'ere responsible for it. And as the Times
acludes the Governor in its catechism, We
ray remind it that he has resorted to ;
egal means to put q stop to the payment
certificates issued under the pretended
solutions of demoralized and confused
louise of Representatives. We 90 the /,
hole figure on the reduction of leeisla- {
We expenses.
If it is possible to annul the charters q
the bogus companies and avoid grant =,
q any more, we shall be greatly re-
iced. In this connection we might in !
,lge in retort against our questioner, e
1t it would be out of place. We hope l
have the assistance of our neighbor in 9
u opposition to all manner of grants to
gus companies and improper parties
morally.
There is no question that the times do v
t now require the present liberal State J
to the newspapers, and some change Il