New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-16
pATRONAaE AS A TRUST.

passably free, and with people PeliecAy
equal, the minority in political opinion is
excluded from Office. 1t is just as impos'
sible for minority man to hold Office IN
the United States as for Protestant wor-
shiper of Christ to obtain an appoint
ment under him who is called the vice.
oerept of God on earth. It has been and
perhaps always will be the case. A Wing
under Democratic administration was as
completely excluded from otfice as a
Democrat. is excluded under a Republican
administration The theory upon which
this monopoly and intolerance is justified
is this: A political party represents GER
tain administrative principles which the
people have recognized. 1t is then i'm
portant that none should be intrusted
with the execution of Office except those
imbued with conviction Of these principles
and who will give them effect. There might
be. perhaps. distinction taken be-
tween those officers who are intrust-
ed with some discretion in their
acts" and those merely employed to
give effect to the letter OF the law or the
orders Of their official superiors. Such a
distinction has been taken in England,
where the clerk is regarded as an opera
tive, of whose political opinion the gov
ernment takes no account. 1t is there
deemed Of more importance to an admin
istration to have fair writer OK an ac-
countaot than talkative and tricky
striker at the polls. 1t is there thought
tina. incompetent or dishonest subordinates
bring more responsibility than strength
to the government which they support.
We may digress so far as to say that
President Grant has the Same ideas in de-
volving the inspection Of clerks upon heads
of departments rather than to sort them
over and assign them himself as is the
practice Of some other potentates. But the
reason assigned for this monopoly of Office
is that it is for the good of the party
responsible to the people for the admins
tration of the government.
This being the argument. it becomes
highly improper for any person charged
with the distribution Of this patronage to
make it personal perquisite. The Re-
publican party did not elect General Grant
President that he should appoint to repre-
sent the nation at the Vienna fair indi-
viduals who should sell the good name
and authority of the nation for sum or
sums of money. Nor did President Grant
appoint those men that they should apply
to personal gains the proceeds of official
influence committed to them for the
honor of the nation and the good Of the
Republican party. Every officer appoint
ed should learn or be taught that the
power with which he has been irtrusted
is to be held and exercised for the benefit
of the party which appointed him. The
officer receives compensation fixed by
law as an adequate return for bis time
and services given to the commonwealth.
He has no right to take to himself any gain
from the disposal ofLis official influence.
What. is this official that in addition to
the honor and compensation Of his place.
society should allow him to levy a tariff
on clerkships, or sell OF withhold his sig
nature for price?
Remembering the principle stated, that
the only justification Of official monopoly
ic tho ann1icatiop of Marty princiDleS it
becomes obviously improper that any
abuse of official trust should be permitted.
A dishonest representative or official acts
upon the idea that political power has
been conferred upon him to be turned to
his own profit. He sells a vote or sig
nature or an appointment. He creates
public debt or imposes tax. This is
personal gain which may make an indi-
vidual fortune. But when the people re-
sist this tax or condemn this appointment.
upon whom does the responsibility fall
Upon tue party to which this mercenary
miscreant belongs. He may. like the no.
torious Wicklitfe, sack up his thefts and
abscond. The party which permitted the
appointment remains to answer and de.
fend the iniquity. 1t is in vain to say to
the people: Look at the grand princi-
Piles of the Republican party. Think what
it has suffered and achieved for you
The most unsc-upulous party opponent
will reply, "Ies, truly a grand party!
Look at its prophet Wicklifie." One tax
sale in a neighborheod will do more to
damage party than can be repaired by
many essays and orations. For the people
will Judge tree by its fruits. Those who
have been intrusted with official influence
by party should hold it sacred to the
use of the party. The appointments to
Office should be made. in this State. of
RepuIlicons. but they should be Republi.
cans Of good report. The principles Of
the party should be fairly and faithfully
illustrated by the acts of those who hold
authority in its name. Any official who
leaves record of venality furnishes
campaign document which his party must
defend or palliate at the ensuing election.
We make these reflections, because it is
upon the most intelligent members of
party. and especially upon the press that
the unpopular consequences of official
abuse fall most heavily. 1t is not to be
expected that these can assume the re-
sponsibility o; yindlcating acts Of official
immortality. This would involve all in
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