New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-09-20
LEGAL AND OFFICIAL REFORMS.

talked OF consist entirely IN feslgnau ons
and distribution Of offices. We hav mo-
seen or heard Of any amendment of thu
law or consti tuition which would give tht
people substantial relief from the bur
dens which have been accumulated or
them by the successive abuses of so many
administrations. city anI. State. Il
seems indeed strange idea of justice
that an off Ger who Lss not been con
nected with the Passage OF obnoxious
laws, or the accumulation Of oppressive
debt. should be held to account for al
the iniqui ties Of his predecessors, with
out single credit for the innocence O
his acts or the inability Of his efforts.
But why is it we hear Of no proposed
measures OF reform?
| Has the Executive Department to,
much patronage? The present Governor
inherited it from enc endorsed by thos.
who now pursue Linn. Let some proposed
amendment to the constitution define the
limits Of this patronage.
Should the State debt be cut down ever
below its present reduction: Or are
! guarantees re quired that this debt shall
be fairly scaled according to existing law:
Point out any objections to the mode il
which the Governor proposes to execute
this law. and let the grievance, if there be
one. be redressed.
Is the d ebt Of the city greater than the
ability Of the citizen to pay?
Let an inquiry be made into the powe,
! Of the State to reduce the obligations
which the State has by law imposed upon
the citizens. Are the expenses Of the
State exces sive ? Are those Of the city to
any extent unnecessary: Propose such
limitations Of law as may be necessary for
either or both objects.
Is the m ode Of judicial appointment
! improper? Let the law prescribe such
mode as the people may deem safe.
These are few heads and intimations
of the refo rms which have been most dis
| cussed in the past few years. They may
perhaps furnish the motives Of party war.
These abuses undoubtedly furnish most
OF its sinews. Why does not some patriot
propose a compromise on the basis Of
public relief? Why keep up the absurd
cry that to remove Kellogg. and replace
him with anot her man having identically
the same powers. will relieve all the in
dustrial troubles Of the State?
The Republicans Of Louisiana have,
perhaps. tasted the bitter delusion of offi-
cial influences and political profits.
Men enriched in the name of the
party have gone hence. and from distant
homes look at the danger and distress
which they have contributed to create,
but the fruits of which they alone can
enjoy. How do these distant and departed
professors Of Republican principles feel
when they hear Of Republicans murdered
for abuses which some of these distant
and departed Republicans have. in con-
junction with the Democrats, bequeathed
to us their successors?
But. if these men withdraw themselves |
and their gains, and leave to Republicans
to bear the consequences, why should we |
continue this insane system: Some men
gain thousands upon the Republican
name. others. who do not participate, are
killed. or driven into exile. The Repub-
lican party should deny all men these
of sudden enrichment !
There would be. then. more DISTINGUISHED
applicants for their confidence. Poor
men will be more apt to stay here than
men suddenly enriched by abuse Of off,
cial trust.
We have given reasons why the Repub-
lean party is in favor of reforming
abuses by which they can not individually
profit, but for which they are individually
leld to account.
Suppose some of those who are seriously
lesirous Of honesty and economy propose
md present a schedule Of legal and con.
;titutional reforms. We have no authority
o speak for Governor Kellogg. but it is
,ur impression that. if instead Of calling
r. him to abdicate the government, and
.ssign it over without recourse. to any
ransferees who may be selected. he
hould be addr cssed by joint committee
# Republicans and others. as follows:
Sir. subjo ined you have schedule Of
eform in the State and city governments
nd their adm illustrative system. We re-
pectfully desire to know whether you
pprove them in whole or in part. and
neither you will Immediately call !;
pecial session Of the State Legislature.
the immediate passage Of
ills necessary to give legal effect to the
leasures recon mended, and submit to
se people such constitutional amend g
tents as may be necessary a. the ensu. t
g election. Il
Such pro posal as this will require the n
overnor and his opponents to show their p
,nds. We shall then know who is to a.
anne for the debt, destitution and dis o.
intent that is now bringing this State e'
ID city to destruction. o.
With good laws and reasonable salaries al
would make little difference who were X
power. and We are assured that relieved III
ON this outcry and incubus the prin- b.
pies Of the Republican party would be z
opted universally. in
| nc
Is IT COWARDICE? in