The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-27
Communicated
Have Taxpayers any Rights that Public
Officials are Bound to Respect:

The time was, under the rule Of the old
Democracy, that public officials were consid
cred servants Of the people-not their mas
tiers. But how is it now Any body cal
answer this question. 1t is evident that the
spirit of Democracy no longer exists among
the powers in authority. The public officers
Of to-day think themselves masters, and de
mean themselves as if they were superior
order of beings.
They make and execute laws that not one
taxpayer in ten sanctions 1t is only ncces-
sary to look at the records of our courts for
proof Of the almost universal opposition to
the enforcement Of the OnerOus laws and or
dinances enacted by those selected-if you
will, by the people-tO make laws for the
Commonwealth.
No sooner do these men get into power
than they assume that they are a sort Ofmil-
itary commanders, stationed to keep guard
over conquered enemy. The theory of
government inaugurated and put in practice
by the Republican party, is like unto mil
itary government, with the chivalry aud
honor Of the military left out.
There was time when taxpayer was
privileged to examine the public records Of
the State and city; but now he goes with
his hat in hand and asks permission Of one
of his superiOrs-made SO only by his vote
to let him look at some record. His superior
in authority must first be made acquainted
with the character of the information
sought; and if the information is
not to be used against said officer
or any of his friends the taxpayer is
graciOusly permitted to look into certain
specified books. But if said inquirer de-
clines to disclose the object of his mission
and the use be proposes to make Of the in
formation sought for, he is denied the
formerly acknowledged right to inspect the
public records.
Is our Government the same now that it
was before the war? Has not change
taken place-imperceptibly, may be, by
themselves-in the minds Of the people in
respect to the genius of the American Gov
ernment-a popularity that distinguished
it from all other governments, viz: Gov
ernments derive their just powers from the
consent Of the governed.
There is a marked difference between the
theory Of the government as administered
by the old Democratic party of former years
and the theory as practiced by the present
Republican party.
One is government by consent Of the
governed, the other is government by
force without the consent of the governed.
The former government, or administration,
promoted universal prosperity and happi-
ness, but the latter has brought ruin and
misery.
The history Of the workings of each is
already written. Why then do people ask
what is the difference between the Demo-
cratic administration aud the Republican
administration Of affairs 1t has often been
said-and by Intelligent people, too that
the only difference is, that one set Of men is
in Office, and another set of men out Of
Office. A difference only between the onts
and the ms. Il it so: No" The principles
Of the two administrations are as different
as the Christian religion and that Of the
Pagans. A SUFFERER.