The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-16
TIE TEMPER OF OUR PEOPLE.

n TIE TEMPER OF DUB PEOPLE.
Perhaps there is not known in Christendo
city which can endure foreign control vii
less satisfaction, ease or complacency tbs
New Orleans. When governed by men
their own choice, being their own fellow
!. citizens, with full and undisputed right |
exercise the functions of their respectiy
offices, our people have at all times respecte
and obeyed them and fully recognized all til
Y acts done by them as agents and servants Z
, the city. Their ordinances have bee
obeyed without resistance or complaint
and the debts which they have in
, Cured have been cheerfully paid. Sucl
rulers have engaged in some unprofi
, table enterprises, and entered, in tn,
name of the city, into engagements and
pledges which were fulfilled only at the ex
pense of considerable debts and onerous taxes,
but yet the people seldom complained because
these things were done by men whom they
knew, whom they had chosen, and who suf.
fered with them from every error committed
More than that, they were for the most part
honest and honorable gentlemen, who had
some other idea of the use and purpose of
public Office than to feather their nests with
its perquisites and plumber. Sometimes it
happened that contractors who were the friends
of Aldermen obtained what seemed to the pub
lie to be very profitable jobs; sometimes there
was lack of lucidness in the statements
of financial officers; sometimes members of
the Council appeared to speak mainly for
themselves and very little for the good of the
corporation; sometimes hobbies were ridden
with little respect for the public taste, and
sometimes large amount Of egotism was
shown forth, joined with thorough audacity.
But as municipal. business was generally con. |
Quoted with honest intention, and as the
Mayor and Council were Independent of
State control, there was but little complaint
from citizens The reason was that the civ
was ruled in harmony with the spirit of the
people. There was nothing irksome or hu-
initiating in paying obedience to men of their
own selection, who carried out enactments
made with their own consent and co-opera-
ton.
AT the era referred to the police Of the city
we're chosen and governed by the Mayor and
council. They were selected for capacity and
illness, and they commanded a fair share of
he confidence of the people. They had little (
rouble in maintaining order and making ar ,
ests OF offenders. They were not distrusted I
nd property under their supervision was ,
onsidered safe. The police may have been
imperfect in discipline, and they may, at
INES, have displayed partisan spirit which g
hey would have more wisely suppressed OF c
ontrolled. But, upon the whole they were +
cceptable to the people, because they were v
their own choosing.
The public schools of that period Support s
as now by tax upon the people) were il
nder the control of the city government. 81
helr teachers were appointed and promoted p
ON merit and commanded the respect of al
aplls and parents. The schools were then al
10 pride and boast of the city, and would 81
ION again become SO under similar favorable m
lsplces. The people of New Orleans main ri
in and cherish their own charitable and m
Vocational institutions with liberal spirit p,
hen they are under the management of men th
their own selection. d.
In all other matters of public concernment &C
. citizens of New Orleans have always to
own the same deep-seated love of home tn
vernment, the same eager desire to be free az
m external interference, the same earnest LII
III to be let alone. When subjected to the WI
noyance of outside pressure, and when de.
we'd Of their legal rights, they feel as in. as'
sely as any citizens can feel the indignity wi
the wrong. They bear imposition, when OH
'ond their power to escapeit, with becom- ga
dignity and patience, but they feel it WI
ply and never forget it. q
hose who have deprived the citizens of ths
v Orleans of the right of self-government, go'
who exercise usprped functions here COZ
do well to take heed of the character of I'm
people whom they Cypress and insult. Sta
) long road that has no turning. The IN
of retribution may be nearer than they act
TX. cor