The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-04
THE AMENDED CITY CHARTER.

1t is well known fact, that bill passed
the rump Legislature at its second and last
session, which provides for a radical change
in the charter Of this city. The passage OF
such measure, without the advice or con-
sent of those to be affected thereby, is IN
questionably anti-republican-it is a ha-
grant violation OF the rights OF people
presu ned to be free, gross outrage against
civil liberty. But when such measure
proposes not only to rob the people OF the
right to choose their own public servants,
but deprive them of all voice in the manage
ment of public affairs, it becomes wanton
usurpation. The Legislature that would at
tempt such an unwarrantable violation OF
the rights of free people-rights guaran-
teed by the Federal compact-such an abb
rogation of the prerogatives OF citizenship
under a republican form of government
must necessarily have been composed OF
political mercenaries, men insensible to the
claims of patriotism, and deaf to the die
tatcs of honor, mon with whom temporary
| party success is paramount to every other
consideration.
That such fragrant outrage against civil
| liberty, such wantOn abrogation of the
rights and privileges of a majority of the
citizens of New Orleans has been twice at
tempted by mongref horde claiming to be
the Legislature of Louisiana, is we'll
| 1873, at the first assemblage Of that combi-
nation of venality, rapacity and ignorance
ycleped the General Assembly. 1t was
then proposed to amend the city charter by
loDping off some of the old Offices, and
creating new ones, to be filled by Executive
appointment. This, it was commended,
would not only trammel the remaining Off
Gals elected by the people, but give the ad-
herents of the usurper controlling intlu-
ence in the management Of the city's affairs.
A bill providing for such an amendment to
the city charter was passed by that mongrel
assemblage, but it was never approved by
the de facto occupant Of the gubernatorial
chair. .
1t is tho opinion of some that the authors
Of the bill did not contemplate its ever be-
coming law, but designed it as a means Of
preventing contest in the courts for the
office of Administrator of Public Improve
ments and to enable his de factoship to
control, at least to limited extent, the ac-
ton of the city officials Whether it had or
had not that effect, is mooted question:
That said bill was not approved and conse-
quently did not become law, by virtue Of
the pretorian guard and Federal bayonets,
is matter of recorded history.
Emboldened by the success Of this threat
eEcd usurpation, this unmistakab willing
ness to abridge the rights and liberties Of
the people, the rump Legislature, at its next
session, passed bill which proposes to SO
amend the city charter as take from the peo
pie the right to elect their public officers,
and give their appointment to the unscrupu
lous adventurer who usurps the Executive
Office of this State. This bill has not been
approved by him, but has been held in ter
rorum over the heads Of the city authorities
as means of controlling or trammeling
their action. How far this has been sue |
cessful, if at all, the public has no means of
except by inference, or tracing
effect to cause.
Some have been led to believe that this
last bill was only designed to effect the OBJ
jects and purposes above stated, and that,
having accomplished these, it would be
suffered to lapse as did the first. If those
who profess to be in the confidence of the
are to be relied on, those who have
this belief are to be doomed to
a sad disappointment. These knowing ones
positively assert that de facto Kellogg has
given his henchmen to understand that he
will withhold his signature to the bill pro-
viding for an amendment to the city charter
until after the Radicals have made their
municipal and parochial nominations; that,
f these are acceptable to him, the bill will
not become law but if they arc not, it
will be a. once signed and promulgated. In
hat event, thee itizens of New Orleans will
be deprived of all voice in the management
If their public affairs. They will be at the
mercy of set of mercenaries who will
know no lew, acknowledge no authority,
)ut the Will OF him who appointed them to
he offices which the people were denied the
light to fill by election.
Should these assurances be fulfilled, and
hould the city officials be appointed by the
lsurper Of the gubernatorial chair, the citi-
ems Of New Orleans, the property holders
md Taxpayers, will have abundant cause
o deplore the future. For the men who
would accept Office under such circum-
tances would not be of the class calculated
0 inspire either the respect or confidence Of
he honest and intelligent portion Of the
population. Their antecedents would afford
10 guarantee of their honesty, capacity or
idelity. They would be mere mercenaries,
Who know no principle but self-interest, and
Who would embrace any cause that would
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