New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-03
THEY F1aHT SHY OF REFORM.

/ >~ASA~'3 NoSA~S~'S ~So~>S'
their hands, and their faith IN the re
trenchment and reform Of the abuses O.
which all make common complaint. Ihf
Bulletin intimates that if the same reform
bills should be passed by the two bodies
each claiming exclusive jurisdlctlon' II
would be an acknowledgment by the one'
of the superior legality of the other. we
can not appreciate such an argument
These two bodies have nothing to do with
each other. Each denies the authority
Of the other. Very well. But suppose
the people demand to know what
measures each will enact, to relieve
taxation, and reduce the expenses OF the
State and city government? Can not each
Of these bodies prepare and enact, accord
ing to regular forms, its own measures for
the accomplishment of common and
a popular purpose? If Jones is selling
goods without license, it can be no rea-
son why the indignant Brown should re-
fuse to vend similar goods. If Mrs.
Brown should detest that "odious' Mrs.
Jones, should she deny herself fashiona-
BILE chapeau because her rival wears one
Of the same style? 1t is bad enough that
members whose election has been certified
and accepted from the regular Returning
Board should decline to occupy their
seats, because other members have not
succeeded in obtaining certificates similar
to their own. 1t is equivalent to saying:
Our duty to our party is stronger than
our duty to our constituents, and if We
can not have party majority We will not
accept their rights in body which we
can not control.
We are satisfied that the legality of the
present State Legislature will be as GER
tainly established as that of the last, I'M
der auth ority of which the late election
was held. But suppose the question of
legality was in doubt, would it not be
better that each Legislature should
follow the undoubted will of common
constituency and enact in duplicate such
laws as may carry out the will of the
The Bulletin and the
section of which it has been the organ,
seem unwilling to touch the subject of
patronage or reduced per-
quisites. They are '.hushed in grim re.
pose" as to these measures, which at last |
constitute what is called politics in
Louisiana.
Governor Kellogg has called for an
of the fundamental and statute
avs to enable him to abdicate powers
which he did not assume. Has there been
corresponding proposal on behalf of the
spirants to his position. If SO, we have
lever heard of it.
Governor Kellogg recommends the pas
age Of an act to simplify the duties,
diminish the expense, and reduce the
rincely incomes of State assessors. Bills
ave been introduced in the State Legisla-
Ire to relieve the poor Of New Orleans,
ON the exactions of constables, sheriff's
Jerks and coroners. Has the Democratic
made any move for the same
The great need of our State and city is to
ring official compensation down to the
ties of business compensation. There can
no reason why the Office holder is worth
ore than the merchant or the mechanic,
hich be was before his promotion. Why
man, who one year works on the street 6
in an Office for a precarious income Of
le, two or three thousand dollars year,
ould, by a nomination, be endowed
tn value of five, seven or eight thou t
nd dollars year, can not be explained. a
by people undoubtedly suffering from a
of political and commercial S
uses should insist upon enriching par b
ans from official exactions upon the Il
pular misery, is a singular mystery. c
But the Democratic party apparently q
sh these excessive salaries and this a
ormous patronage to remain as they are b
is poor piece of political strategy to Il
ng the people to beggary with city
nearly double that Of the State, with i
riffs, constables, and clerks fees, b
h sales of real estate on account of Of
es, and then use this very misery, p
lsed by their party friends to turn 7
ry State official out of Office. p
We have right to infer, from the CT
willingness to march out on the re- m
N question, that our opponents have fu
objections to the power, pay or per- al
sites Of Office. Their sole purpose &C
ms to eject the incumbents and take a
power and pay themselves. 1t is seen, tr
refore, they will not cooperate in an hs
rt to reduce the burdens which they dr
weigh down the people. re
bur proposition for compromise is this: b,
the gentlemen who feel too much in
ed to take their seats upon undis- pc
ed credentials, enact, according to tn
b power as they deem lawful, set tn
reform bills. They may go so far br
o obtain the signature of any execu. ha
they may approve, for it is plain there in
be no formal enactment without the he
INT of an executive to the joint act of an
houses. Let the people examine pa
Sc specimens Of what the malcontents
lid do, if they had the power. It may tn
to bind the members by hereafter. The CO
te Legislature will continue its formal ha
ctment Of acts having the same OBJ all
s. A comparison Of the two systems oil
enable the public to determine which | oh