New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-07

either side Of any question, and he does
not thereby forfeit his constituency. With
the letters patent, with the dispensation
and absolution in advance of the act, he
may with impunity advocate or advance
any opinion. Those who are not Demo-
Gratis, however, are in the fix of political
heretics who can not for their lives do an
act worthy of common liberation.
The readers Of the Independent press
have been witnesses for months past of
the censure visited upon the Republican
party for an alleged use Of Of
fetal influence upon elections. We
have even seen the Republicans of New
Hampshire denounced for having pur-
chased votes enough to carry the late
canvass. As these Republicans need not
have bought Republican votes, it would
follow that the venal voters must have
come from their Democratic antagonists.
Yet, while the alleged purchaser is re-
preached, not q word of condemnation do
we hear against those Democratic voters
who would sell their sacred rights for
money.
Republicans, at least, we'll remember
the abuse heaped by Democracy upon
Colonel James Lewis, late Republican
Administrator of improvements, for hav-
ing employed the influence Of his Office to
buy up the impecunious Democracy Of the
period. Colonel Lewis denied this i'm
parchment, and claimed that the number
Of employees and amount Of expenditures
in his department were a proof of his
Jealous care of the public highways.
The privileged Democracy, however,
make an open boast Of their purpose to en-
ploy their special influence in the manner
which Colonel Lewis had at least the grace
to deny. This is what the Times inter-
viewer assumes the responsibility to avow.
In proof that Mr.. Wilt will be "a strong
candidate" for Governor, it is said:
am satisfied of the fact for the additional
reason that MAJOR e. a. Burke. the Adm IN
istr0tor of Improvements, is using the riote
influence of his office in M. Wut-' behaJ,
and that the control OF the city delegation
lisa fixed fact.
While, therefore, this packing Of the
city delegation is the declared purpose of
the privileged Democracy, let the reader
mark the Spartan exclamation Of the Re-
publican, Marshal Packard. The reck-
less interviewer, with as N UGH composure
as if he were taking the census, accosts
the calm and methodical marshal. He
may have interrupted him in the ritual Of
his daily official business. He may have
wasted precious public moments. What
matters it to the inexorable demands Of
the press? Asking him, says the queriest,
fatty
If he proposed using his we'll known in
fuence to secure the nomination OF the Re-
publican party.
There followed promptly this indignant
response:
''No, sir, I do not propose to use my
influence, nor my power as federal officer
III tIIS ulTcCtlUu III my opiUiou' poAs'A
situated as l am. would be lacking in self
respect if he did,"
Here We have the privileged Democracy
boastirg that they have used municipal
patronage to pack nomination, while
we have Republican, eminent alike for
his ability, his integrity and his influence,
proclaiming the noble determination not
to employ the patronage of the federal
government to promote any purposes Of
his own.
Is there any sense of fair play left in
the independent press? Shall not Admin
istrator James Lewis be indicated, Ad-
ministrator Burke be rebuked, and Mar
shall Packard commended for his noble
and disinterested declaration? We shall
see.