New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-28
FOLLOW THE REPUBLICAN, EXAMPLE.

1
The Picayune is fortifying its conserva
tive position against the attacks of the
Bulletin, now the sole organ of the ':blood
or Office" party. The Picayune says that
we have been stayers at home nursing
our dignity and our injuries, while the
riff-raff of the city takes possession Of the
primary meetings, the conventions and
the nominations. 1t specifies the occa.
sions on which this abstension was par
ticularly memorable:
We did it in 1872, with the result of as
sembling Democratic convention at Tur-
! ner Hall, one OF the strongest men in which
was E. +. Duffy, of the famous firm of
Schonhausen and Duffy; Liberal conven-
ton at Mechanics Institute which WASH t
| II lch better; and a subsequent supple
| mentary organization Of the Independent
clubs TOR the purpose of correcting certain
features which We're a little too unpleasant
for the average citizen to endure. Between
those two conventions the most RESPONSE
BILE and lucrative Offices of the city and
parish were bartered like 80 much mer-
chandise. Clerkships were traded for rep.
reservations, shrievalties for administrator
ships, as though the public trusts were COM
mon market stuff, and the peoples expo
nents common hucksters.
In this heat of recital our neighbor for
gets the proposal made in open conven-
ton, to put the offices up and draw for
them. A suggestion which was, perhaps,
deemed an Infringement Of the exclusive
right of lottery granted by the Legisla-
ture of 1868.
But the Picayune gives notice that it
"will not support such disreputable pro-
ceedings for the future 1t will not
''stand idly by while the mischief is being
done, and afterward bewail calamit;es we
made no effort to avert"
So far SO good. Now, why not go a
step further, and recommend the Repub-
lican plan of holding preliminary cleo
ton to determine the choice of nominees?
There could be register; it might be
kept open for some days, and the prop
erty holders and business men would
have chance to express their preference
for the best nominees, without personal
danger. This done, it would be mat
ter of less consequence whether these con-
stituents were present at the fall elections,
since the choice of the party would have
been fixed upon good men.
The Republicans have tried this plan of
moot elections and are perfectly satisfied
with the character of the nominees to Of
fee. Not having to defend the personal
conduct of our nominees the defense of
Republican principles becomes more eff
fectual.
If the Picayune intends to pursue con-
sentative warfare in behalf of official in
tegrity, it had better recommend the Re-
publican system of selection. We will
not, of course, vote for its candidates, but
there will be very comfortable consola-
ton in knowing that we are not to have
series of riots during the summer, termin-
ating in an armed occupation Of our city
by federal troops. If the opposition will
follow the Republican example, if our
antagonists on principle carry any of the
offices, we shall have at least the guaran
tee that they will be the most honest and
competent men they can furnish. Send
and get our club rules. You will find
them work like charm. The Oldest and
most respectable citizens will have the
same show under our rules as the most
atrocious thug or INSCRIPTIONS villain
that ever infested a poll