New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-14
orPrcE THE soLE IsstE.

OFFICE THE s0LE IsstE.
There seems always to have been a strife
in New Orleans for the control OF ofhcl al
patronage. This has sometimes dlVloeo
the people on nationalities, sometimes on
political questions. but the gist and issue
of the conflict has always been the same.
History informs us Of the most violent
controversies in the colony, when all OF
the parties were Of the same race, talth
and language. The co-occupation by the
French and Spaniards caused CONNECT
Of nationality just as bitter as it has ever
been since. At the date OF the hfltlsh
invasion the Governor was 'cordla ny
hated" There was mo union or mar
mony of action" There was ''the preJu-
dice and jealousy Of races" Subsequently
came the conflict on federal parties, then
the organized war between the Know
Nothings and Democrats, and since then,
chaos. The explanation Of an American
historian attempts to- account fer this
chronic disturbance. Writing Of the date
of 1914, he says:
The population Of the city was new
and mixed one, composed of people OF all
nations and races, who had been too re-
Gently admitted into the Union to feel that
attachment for the government and the nag
which characterizes an Old and heterO.
geneous community.
At the present time, the whole hostility
is concentrated against the Republican
and colored voters. Armed men are en-
rolled for the purpose of carrying the
elections by force, and Populations wait
on officials, from the lowest to the highest,
to demand of them such concessions as
may aid the disafected in carrying out
their plans.
The State government is attacked on
two grounds: l. That the citizens most
interested in property and taxation are
not permitted to participate in the admin
istration. 2. That the Republican State
government is extravagent and corrupt.
1t is always the practice Of parties to
bestow Office exclusively upon their own
friends. There has been no party more
exclusive in its appointments than the
Democracy of the South.
It will, perhaps, startle some of those
who may deem the anti-Republican party
excluded from Office in patronage to be
told that the city government, which it
has always been in the power of the anti
Republican party to carry, embcdies more
official and contract patronage than that
of the State. Yet, though that admins
tration is more oppressive in its taxation
than the State, not one word Of COM
plant, not one measure of reform
is proposed against it. end thou
sands whose property is almost con-
fscated for city and State debt are
ready to overthrow the State government,
in the belief that all these taxes are the
work of Republican administration and
are devised by Republican place holders.
Nor does it seem to be remembered that
the State taxation and Indebtedness has
been arrested and scaled, while the i'm
mense bonded debt of the city, represent
ing the funded corruption Of so many
city administrations, is regarded as a
sacred obligation.
We have awaited some notice and re-
view of the city expenditures at the hands
of the anti-Republican press, but have
seen no comment and certainly no censure
upon an administration from which, be-
ing anti Republican. SO much was to have
been expected. The report of the Mayor
cites some exceptional causes why expend-
itures have been in some departments in
great, but seems to content
himself with the general proposition that
he has done no worse than his predeces-
sors, and that in some items he has been
by antecedent obligations even
to increase the Liabilities thus:
For this addition of about $4,000, 900 to
the bonded debt to the city this council is
in no degree or manner responsible.
1t is not our purpose to analyze the
Mayors report at this time. tits referred
to to show that the very Igilant guardians
Of public economy accept without ques-
ton an account Of stewardship admin
istered by their own political friends,
while utterly intolerant Of their oppo-
nents. When, however, city seven per
cent gold bonds are quoted at forty-seven to
Eorty-eight. there would seem some dis
trust on the part Of the holders that the
city administration can not, with the de-
mands upon it, appreciate its obligations
very rapidly.
Yet were the contest to come off to-
morrow between two anti-Republicans for
he city government the strife would be
Is bitter as between Republican and anti
Again would the factions
contend with all the violence Of the past.
It is only necessary to regard the hostile
citations of the anti-Repubican press to-
ward each other. One tarnts another
With being st. Louis organ and Kel-
ogg aid. 1t is retorted that the assailant
las no influence or circulation. Of
bird it is doubted whether it will
survive long enough to test the truth Of
is own predictions. Take away the
organization, AID these
actious organs would each head its
party Of office seekers, and thus per-
'etual conflict would only cease at one
election to be resumed at the next. The
Republican party does not then take the