New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-11
REPUBLICAN, PERIL REFORM INDIS.
PENSABLE,

PENSABLE.
There is possible schedule of legisla-
tive action which requires at least notice
l. The Democracy will demand "a
wholesale reduction of the expenses OF
the State government"
2. The Republicans will concur in
much of this reform, and will in turn
urge "a reduction of the expenses of the
city government" a sweeping reduction
of the expenses of the various courts, as
| well as o reduction in the clerks and
sheriffs' fees" etc.
We may presume that each party con.
ceives itself interested in disabling its
political opponents and strengthening its
friends. If the State authorities have
patronage to reward the Republicans, the
Democracy has the far more valuable
resources of the City Hall and the public
improvements, with the forced loans
exacted from the financial interests of the
city.
There are two interests in Louisiana
especially concerned in economical re-
form. They differ greatly in pursuits and
position, but they have to dread COM
mon foe. These two classes are the capt.
tai and business interests of the city, and
the colored voters throughout the State.
The patronage of the State and city is
the campaign fund Of the politicians We
shall assume, beca use it is our conviction,
that the Democratic party are the most
adroit, INSCRIPTIONS and needy politi-
clans in Louisiana. They are writer's,
fighters and schemers. They toll not, and
vet they live in luxury upon the labor of
others. The mass Of Republicans are
laborers, who do not aspire to Office. They
are interested in economy, because, at last,
the expenses of government are in largest
part paid from their labor. Their chief
object is to secure the free exercise of their
political and legal rights. So long as the
expenditures of the State and city will af-
ford fortunes for many and subsistence
for more, the Democracy will pursue
these Offices at the cost of blood and dis
reimbursement of all who are physically
weaker than themselves. The example of
Mississippi proves that unarmed numbers
present no impeachment which few field
pieces, Remington rifles and navy revol-
vers can not nullify. The attack upon
the Republican census here intimates a
determination to treat that as the
Wheeler compromise was treated.
While, therefore, all citizens are in
terested in reducing salaries and per-
quisites of Office, the Republican voters
are especially SO. since patronage is in
fact battery which their enemies will
turn against them. If man is pursued
for q treasure, he no sooner casts away
this treasure than his pursuers abandon
the chase. If the Republican party will
cut down all salaries, and place all citi-
zens on the same labor level with them
selves; if they establish the rule that
man shall make no more in an Office than
he could make by his work out of
Office, the Democracy will find that
rate Of compensation so small as
to be beneath their notice. We are per-
fectly serious when we say that men of
average qualification and good character
could live very well on salaries upon
which the aristocratic Democracy would
starve. The style of official subsistence
requires grade of expenses to which
mechanics and planters do
not aspire. There are incidental lake din
ners, champagne and poker parties, which
are not proper for poor and tax bur-
dened people. Let US cut down the salaries
in sympathy with popular poverty. The
can take them and live de-
Gently, if the naughty Democracy think
them too contemplate for ''the gentlemen
of Louisiana" to accept. The effect of
bringing these official salaries to the
of compensated labor would be
1t would disband in dismay
the ambitious political leaders. 1t
would dissolve the petroleum clubs.
The object of luxury and idleness
defeated, they would let the Republican
voters alone, and would not take down
q shotgun to fire into the most tempting
flock on their way to the ballot-box.
The business and property interests
would unite with the colored Republicans
in the jubilee of peace. They would not
be threatened with ostracism if they did
not put up campaign fund. There would
be no motive for Democratic campaign
with nothing at the end of it except q
days work for days pay.
The Republicans should thoroughly
hold these ambitious and insincere Demo-
Gratis to the test. Again we say, scuttle the
ship, so that it will not be worth the
notice of the piratical politicians if they
capture it, while the poor and laboring
can work her into port and
receive the salvage Of life and rights.
We may naturally suppose the Democ-
racy will make hard fight against the
census, and in favor of the shrievalties
and clerkships. Let the Republicans, and
especially the colored Republicans, de-
mand uniform and radical reform. Com
promises will be no doubt proposed. Let
the Republicans and Conservatives remem-
Der the Wheeler compromise, and the
bad faith with which it has been