New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-10-21
THE TROUBLE IN EAST FELICIANA

THE TROUBLE IN EAST FELICIANA.
The embarrassment which besets the
Lieutenant Governor in meeting the
exigency presented in Louisiana excites
our sincere interest. If he yields to the
demands of his political opponents, they
will have consummated an illegal pur.
pose through violence. If he appeal to
the military force of the State, he can NO
more expect to be sustained than Gov
ernor Ames has been. If be report do
nestle violence which he is unable to sup.
press, we have again the Intervention Of
federal troops, with all the scandal and
excitement which such a measure has al
ways occasioned Even the legality Of
acceding to the wishes of the Conserva-
tive committee is doubtful. The sheriff
incumbent, Smith, can not be removed by
the executive, and if he calls upon the
executive for protection, it would be hui
initiating that the protection can not
be afforded him except by the sur
render of his Office. The situation is
embarrassing. 1t is in fact, deplorable.
The armed violence of community will
have compelled the executive of the State
to concede to its demands, and virtually
to acknowledge the inability of the gov
ernment to discharge its own functions
We trust, however, his excellency, the
Lieutenant Governor, will relieve the diff
culties of the occasion by such means as
his counsellors may advise, and have no
doubt but that he will be sustained in
any conservative measures which may
preserve the State from the calamity of
social war and official anarchy. While
awaiting the action of his excellency, we
will employ this case as an occasion to
expose the folly Of those who accumulated
such responsibilities on the hands of the
executive.
In certain cases such municipal officers
as mayors, and councillors, sheriffs, tax
collectors and other parish officers are to
be appointed by the Governor instead of
being elected by the people. Let us show
the consequences to the Republican party
arising from the exercise of this power by
the Governor. If an election of sheriff
could be held in, Feliciana tomorrow,
there would be local candidates, each of
whom would have following, and each
of whom would appeal by professions of
friendship and protection to the colored
voters. Whatever the result, the discon-
tent would be confined to the parish.
The local divisions would neutralize each
other, and the feuds like the fire in coal
mine, would affect none except those i'm
concerned. When, however,
the executive appoints sheriff or tax
collector, the whole stream of local OPP
position is concentrated upon the NOM
inee, and the most intense party hatred
is directed against the executive. A
number Of these appointments converge
against the Republican party the whole
local discomfort, and hundreds who never
knew there was a Governor, would be
taught that they would never have been
taxed or summoned on a jury, but for the
oppression of Republican rule.
We have another unfortunate example
in the arrest of a tax gatherer upon the
suit of the Auditor, for default in paying
over the taxes. The opposition press has
had an opportunity to represent this
officer as ,profigate, and his advocate as
little better than a Toombs lawyer. A
more unworthy, and We hope unfounded
feature of official misconduct could not
oe presented. Why is it donep Because
he individual is Republican appointee
Of the executive. Such a feature dis
played before the people will be used as a
campaign argument to show the incom-
potency of party, when, even if true, it
IS but the evil of an unwise system. Had
sais tax collector been elected by the
people Of the parish the fight would have
been local, and the responsibility cast
upon the people or party to his election.
If, then, the Lieutenant Governor is
pound to compromise, or even to capitu-
ate, to local sentiment which will not
ct negro or Republican hold Office,
We can not condemn him for even an un-
lue devotion to peace.
But we shall insist that the two cases
low before the people prove that the Re-
publican elective system for the choice of
Judges, representatives and municipal Of
icers is better than that which incumbers
he executive with powers that he can not
xercise, and with responsibilities for
which parish patronage is no sort of equiv
lent.