The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-14
OUR CITY ADMINISTRATORS.
THEIR POLITICAL RECORD.


per at this time to call attention to some
facts that may be useful, and, in the future
may avert some blunders that the Demo
cratic party committed in the last campaign
We all know that the present Board o
City Admins rators, with the exception O
the negro Lewis, was elected by white
Democrats. We do not believe that one
hundred negro or Republican votes were
cast for the incumbents, except for Lewis
who was elected by split in the white
vote.
Out of the eight Administrators, with the
Mayor, seven Of them were known to have
been Democrats. Their party affiliations
and proclivities had always been with the
Democracy, and whether elected on ticket
put forward as a compromise with all par
ties opposed to the Republican, yet it was
never doubted that any one Of them would
ever falter when the proper time came to
act, Is between the Democratic and Repub-
lican parties. How far these expectations
have been realized let the official conduct
Of the Administrators answer.
Shortly after their installation in office
when the McEnery Government attempted
to obtain its rightful possession of the
Offices, the Mayor and Administrators were
called upon to recognize the authority of
the police appointed BY the legitimate Gov
ernor. This the Administrators declined to
do, thus giving the first and most powerful
blow to the success OF the movement inau-
gurated to control the State. Wounded in
the house Of its friends, the party staggered
and fell back, leaving the field to the foe.
Again q second appeal was made for
the use Of the City Hall, for the McEnery
Legislature. This too, was refused by the
Mayor. Such favor, it was commended,
might be construed as countenancing or
recognizing the de jure Government and
might jeopardize the official lives of the
Administrators, who were unwilling to
incur the wrath of the usurpers in power.
Further along al election came up where
in two Democrats aud two Republicans were
candidates for two important offices, and
although the former were equally compe-
tent and certainly more deserving than the |
latter, who were aspiring for reelection,
the Democrats were defeated, and the Re-
publican District Attorney and City Sur
veyOr were reelected almost unanimously. !
Whilst we have no objection personally
either to Mr.. Lacey or Mr.. Bell, aud believe
they have made good officers, we contend,
ct the same time, that one term of service
under previous admin strstion and Radi-
cal in politics, should disqualify them before
Democratic administration /; and especially
when the contestants were gentlemen of
acknowledged talent and irreproachable
character.
But then it must be remembered that
law was in Kellogg's pocket at that time
which was held in terrorem over the Admin
istrators, who dared not defy his power.
They yielded to the implied threat and ig
nored their party obligations.
Later we have the spectacle presented of
one of the Administrators. permitting specu-
lati0ns to be carried on in his department
in violation Of law and all propriety
Again we see some Of them connecting bills
for the cruel and summary collection of
taxes ut most unpropitious period, from
IN impoverished and ruined people, and APP
pealing successfully to the Kellogg Legisla-
ture for their passage. Then, too, another
ring Of the Administrators is organized to
procure the passage Of the bill abolishing
the free markets, and we see some of the
city officials lobbying the measure through
The Legislature, and recommending it to
Kollogg's approval.
Finally we hear of an attempt beirg
made, but fortunately without success, to
'ecure the passage Of bill by this same
fraudulent Legislature for the collection Of /,
Ill the back taxes of the city-a little job h.,
which, if contaminated, would have put
Ibout million of dollars in the pockets of :.
'00e one.
These are some Of the reprehensble acts
4 the present Board of Administrators
Elected by the white Democrats of New Or
cans. Of the negro Republican member, Of !,
curse We can expect nothing. But this we
will say of him. He has been true to his
lis fidelity to those who elected him. Look =
t his department, and You will find his dep
ties, Superintendent of Streets, clerks, etc, !.
u negroes. The patronage Of his Office is &
cstowed on his friends and members Of his ;,
wn race. This is right, and we would COM
mend to the white Administrators the sound
nd practical conduct, IN this particular, Of
heir negro colleague.
Among the Administrators who were sup
osed to be Democrats in politics, but in 81
ractice have demonstrated total Oblivion a
I the time honored usuages Of that party, IL
here is one whose whole conduct has COM al
handed the respect and admiration of his st
onstituents. We refer to Mr.. Chas. Fifteen 81
sitter, Administrator of Water Works. His 81
onduct has been consistent, independent, it
ue and unswerving-neverf forgetting his to
nty to his party, and ever ready to come to
3 aid. Active, efficient, and terror to all ga