New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-26

| were installed in Office in 1869. with what
| success in local government! is yet subject
| of dispute: for taking the men OF both
narties at their own valuation. we can not
helm concluding that we have an over
whelmiug population of the most incor-
| runtible and wisest lawmakers within the
limits of civilization. For my part, am
| inclined to believe that the gentlemen on
| both sides er-estinlate themselves, and
in support of my opinion I call your at
tention to the disastrous condition OF pub
Lie affairs
Dishonest political men have invaded
our Offices of trust, confidence is de-
stroyed, commerce languishes ard taxa
ton Expresses us; our utmost energy is
needed to eradicate these evils; but II we
would act wisely, let us act temporarily.
Let us expel from our midst public disor-
der intimidation and defiance Of the laws;
such means are not iustiiable, even by
the good which may be obtained; let us
| fly to the ballot box, as the only weapon
worthy of a civilized and Republican
people; through that we will assert our
selves, demand to be governed by upright
and intelligent men, instead of yielding
ourselves up to the domination OF ignor-
ance and corruption.
As republic, we can not advocate any
restriction of political rights, but we may
place limit to political aspirations, and
let this limit be a proper qualification |
| contend that it is not sufficient for man
20 have the control Of ward club to
entitle him to hold Office. No great
amount of intelligence or integrity
is needed to give him such con-
troll. 1t is known fact that men
take advantage CT the patronage which
their sectional political influence gives
them to impose on the commonwealth
their tools, totally regardless of even ordi-
rary responsibility.
We must avoid such men, who, needy
and ignorant, lazy and cunning, shrink
from occupations for which they are best
fitted, dying to politics only as means Of
| subsistence. It is unwise to endanger the
welfare of community by committing the
direction of public affairs to men who
have no capacity to conduct the most OF
binary transactions Of life.
How deplorable Il is that political
pressure SO frequently influences elections
to Office and appointments totally At vari-
ance with the public interest. We find
scientific and engineering departments
| placed to some extent III the hands Of men
without the slightest technical knowledge,
| and otherwise incompetent, who only IN
| pede the working Of the office, and whose
| duties remain un.ulfl!ed, while they are
drawing heavy salaries.
Clerical positions, il many instances,
have been held by men totally ignorant
| of accounts, causing confusion and en-
| barrassment in many departments.
| Men Of very indifferent standing have
been appointed taz collectors, frequently
| receiving emoluments sufficient to sup
port principally. may say here that
| admit this position should be well remu-
| nerated, for it is one Of great trust and re-
| sponsibility: vet the remuneration should
be limited within reasonal bounds, and
only men of unimpeachsble integrity and
high standing should be appointed to
such offices.
The city tax collectors of to-day have,
without exception, been faithful to their
trust; but unhappily it has been very diff
ferent in some of the country parishes
| There. are continual instances of Gefalca-
tons, and deficiencies have only been re-
| funded after measures had been taken to
bring the offenders to Justice; yet these
defaulting tax collectors retain their po-
sitions.
As regards education, it is lamentable
| to see a department so vita!lv affecting
| the welfare and future of the State in!rIst-
ed to incompetent persons. Again IN this
case, as with the tax collectors, we find
more cause for complaint in the country
parishes than in the city. School boards
1 ~ - n -, Ia
posed Of men of little education and less
morals. The school funds have been
robbed of large sums Of money, and
although am not prepared to give the
names Of all the parishes having default
| ing t-easurers, can with certainty men,
ton the following: Catalonia, Concordia,
| Assumption. East Baton Rouge, East Ee-
liciana, st. Landry, St. Martin, st. James,
| Tangipahoa, Plaquemines Madison and
| Iberia These detalcations, as also the
incompetency Of the officials superintend-
ing and Of the school boards, are among
many causes producing discomfort and
DESTROYING confidence il the school sya-
tenn.
We find asses5orsLips in the hands of
men of very mediocre ability, who never
were in position to become acquainted
with the vahe of property, and whose an
tecedent5 utterly unfit them for the duties
they undertake.
While on the subject Of assessors and
their incapacity, ! will 50 into some sta
tistics by which you may understand how
ineompetency and the want of integrity
combine to deprive Us of fair assessment,
thereby increasing the taxation OF the
many for the advantage of the few.
The entire acreage of the State is COM
puted at about %, 79J, 200, made up Of
Good upands' o o
Pine nils .ypf W.
Bluff lands. l5oI,Zon
Pine ats. tei,V''
iuvia lanrs o,2o4 wv
wooded eWanp ..'..''' loo w
Coast and marsh }>9,roU
This latter acreage Of march lands IS Of
little value beyond the timber that Ray
be found thereon; we have about -, 900, 600
of acres capable Of cultivation, which