The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-07-09
VOL. III.
no WHOM ARE CIVIL OVFICERs
RESPONsEBLE4

10 WHOM ARE CIVIL OVFECERs
REsPONsEBLE9
Such a question may appear 70 SOME to be
unnecessary and uncalIed Tor. But the re-
verse is the case. There can be no doubt
about the correct answer and for that very
reason the question is, asked 80 as to. call
attention to the violations Of law in our
political economy which do more to de-
moralize the people and encourage domina-
ton and centralism than any Oiher Of the
evils with which our politics are afflicted.
In ali Democratic governments, the people
primarily and really are the source Of all
power. Their voice is and should be pOten-
tial; and their officers, or those y Mont they
elect to ill places Of honor and profit,
should and must remember that they are
only the agents Of the people, selected to
execute and administer the lawsEfOr the
good and we'll being and happiness Of the
whole community; and that should they fail
to do their duty, they are responsible to the
masses, in whom. all power centres. This is
democracy; and is intendefto cut or and
destroy the idea that any man has superior
irresponsible rights, or is independenfof the
people.
But we witness daily the most sickening
and palpabIe violations of their, response
bility. Indeed with some it is almost dan
gerous to come IN contact, for fear Of an
insult. There is look of superiority and
importance which plainly indicate atrthey
feel, if they do not say so, that u am 50
much better than you are that I can scarce,
ly tolerate you in my presence; Pam an,
honored officer, and have control Of vast
interests. You are one of the common
people, poor as aichhrcFT mouse and green
as the grass ON your native hills q ,You'are
BOBBY and bore .tbereforc, while ! win
tolerate you for few moments, you must
state your business and get out, or Twill be
compelled to show you the door. WHO.
does not, almost daily, witness such mani
festations from very many who, by some
accident, have been placed an brief author.
ity 2 1t has become a crying evil, which
disgusts the friends of good government
and democratic, INSTITUTIONS Those who
thus act and think are the enemies of eiual
laws and equal rights, and would establish
privileged classes to ride over tie heads
of the common people and defy their
accusations. They + are onn,.t the high
way TO centralism and despotic
power. But we are pleased to record the
fact that there are others who are fully SEN
sibIe of their origin who know and grace
fully acknowledge their accountability and
responsibility to the'source of all power;
who not only fill their Offices wen but
eheerfully, and make all who visit them
feel that instead of being a great trial to
bear with them and wait upon them, it is a
favor; and that they can never repay the
preference of those who elevated them to
Office. rsauaa..i T.sI.f
The masses are not such fools as many
suppose, and all exhibitions of false ideas
by those in power are noticed and will be
remembered in the future. nffi -.fl'f
Some may think that there are enough
ills of more important consideration, and
that we should not notice too closely the
faults of petty officers.
1t is the duty of the press to notice and
expose error and evil practices in every 'avo-
cation of life; and attempt to indicate the
best plan to eradicate the evil, While we
have pleasant duties to perform we have
also, some which are not calculated to i'm
prove our tempers and bring to our pens
soft words. There is such A. disposition to
throw of restraint; to ignore the real situa-
ton, that it is really of the very first i'm
portance that We should call on men to halt
and consider the result Of their. conduct.
No one can be injured by such criticism 1n-
less it is the man who rejects all advice and
rushes on his way regardless of the frOwns
of his opponents or the smiles Of his friends.
But it is frequently absolutely necessary
that the sharp probe. should be thrust
in and the condition. of the ulcer exposed,
or the knife used and the fungus cut away.
There must be free and healthy circn-
lation to develop physical perfection. So
there must be free and just criticism upon
the conduct Of pubic officers in order that
they may be kept within, the bounds of pro-
priety, and show, byltheirl deeds, that they
have not forgotten the simplicity and be
neficence Of Democracy. n,
It would be well for some officers TO post
up in large letters, over their doors, some.
thing like the following; The people
elected me to ill this office and discharge
the duties thereof, and. therefore, am re-
sponsible to them for my conduct. But
not only is the .offcer who is elected
directly by the people responsible to
them, but the iofficeri also who is ap-
pointed BY the Executive; for be derives
this power from them, and his appointees
are, through him, thcagents Of the people,
and responsible to them FOR any failureito
discharge their duties for The best Interests
of the State.
So then, all appoiptecs of the Executive,
from Supreme Court judges and districi
Judges, who are confirmed by the Senate,
down to the least officer elected directly by
the citizens, are responsible to the people
as their servants. And tliEy lshould be 50
held and treated. Any other course will
only encourage arrogance and adisregard
Of the rights and privileges Of the masses,