New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-03-19
n1sHnNEsT EMPLOYEES,

DISHONEST EMPLOYEES.
The postmaster of New York is said TO
have resigned because OF responsibility
for dishonest subordinates. The post
masters of New Orleans have for some
time mast been visited with similar La
bilitv. It is indeed not entirely confined
to departments Of government. What is
the chief cause Of this evil: We reply
without hesitation: The abuse OF recon-
mendations. An agent discharged as
unfit for business. or another ambitious OF
ease, or another seeking refuge IL polltcS
from pauperism, joins party club; they
are officiors. violent, unscrUpulous. When
there is anything to be given away these
men are the most importunate. They
have fastened 20 demand that cheap
es. patronage Of party. the sigma
lures Of its members. Armed
with such credentials the NOS. unworthy
applicants may besiege the authorities
with demand to be placed in positions
where they have access to public records
or to public money. Not only do such
men canvass the city on their own account
but, in some cases, the zeal Of relations
who have been compelled to support men
utterly incapable Of obtaining employ
ment. will labor to obtain salary fol such
a family outcast. 1t sometimes relieves
the friends from the cost Of supporting a de-
pendent woman ard children. and throws
upon the public a vicious and incompe-
ten: man, whom: 10 person would employ
IN his private affairs. The system Of ac-
cepting recommendations according to the
length Of signatures is very iallacious.
since an unworthy applicant for Office will
seek TO substantiate his. own deficiency by
an added amount OF imposition. This
great abuse Of party obligations IS no: of
this place nor 0: this day. It is not Of
this or that party. The Democratic adj
ADMINISTRATION Of Mr.. Van Buren, was at
tackled for extravaganza. 4 list Of default
ing land registrars was published and
paraded. The millions of which they had
robbed the treasury We're emDlaZoned or
banners. and exposed in professions. The
crimes Of these corrupt partisans contrl-
buted to expel the Democracy from power
and install Reform administration III
their place. and tits administration
was made in its turn to suffer
for the abuses Of this same class Of mis-
Greats. disguised in its uniform. The ear
lier administration Of Presiden: Grant
was crowded with such applicants for
place. They brought the pretended
claims ot services or sufferinSs in the war.
There were immense losses to the govern
ment by defalcation and incompetence.
This led to the adoption Of more rGld
rules for appointment to Office. and to
corresponding improvement in the execu-
ton of official duties. The duty OF all
administrations is plain. Il is 70 subject
all applicant, for Office to the most strict
test Of competency. DO not feaI offend
ing any who indo,se an incompetent APP
piicant. This scrutiny will always afford
materials to Justify The exclusion. IN
many cases some Of chose who recon-
mend viii be relieved by the rejection Of
a name tina. might have brought respon-
sibility upou them.
I'll" part. press should be the first :"
defend such OK ''sicn Of unworthy appll-
cants. 1t should BE the fir: 10 denoTnce
the defauIter wien exposed. The exist
ence Of the party depends upon is pm
ishing al! public offenders. No admins
tration having hundreds Of employees can
avoid being deceived iy some among them.
For this it VIII not BE held responsible. but
if. after exposure. Ii" press OF TIE party
defends tie wrong. they make .le crime
their OWL. 1t follows. then. tLa: as an
honest sentinel surprised is the frs: and
ioudes: to yindica:e Liz own fidelity by
giving the alarm. so party adn4lnistra-
:icn and a party pres. should be the first
70 proclaim IN ot::c;a! o:.rse, AID 20 pun
ISL the offender.