The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-08-04
THE PARISH CONVENTION.

THE PARISH CONVENTION. V
We believe 1t would be unwise for the
Parish Committee TO Immediately call
o Parish Convention. No convention
could just now be assembled that would
nominate, q ticket satisfactory to oil
classes. Questions OF class, and per-
sonal questions. have been sprung and
viruleutly discussed which have FAC
tionized, X we may use such an express
sion, the community and before we
enter upon the election Of delegates
to 40 important n body al the Parish
Convention OF Orleans, we should
take time and pains TO reconcile
our differences and harmonize the
party. Upon the other hand, 1t is the
duty OF the committee to call the con-
vention ut u period early enough In the
canvass to permit full and
free discussion OF the claims Of the
nominees. We think that II the
committee will call the conven-
tion to meet somo time between the lst
and 18th Of September. there will be
ample time to enlist all factions OF the
people 80 warmly In the canvass that
personal differences and aspirations
will be forced to give way to the
common good, and that ample
time will bs left any who may
have good reasons for dissatisfaction
to state and discuss them and adopt
such measures for redress ~ he may
deem proper. We make these sugges-
tious 10 the committee, aid believe they
will be generally indorsed by the Dem
ocratic- Conservative party.
It IL believed that the contests for
the nominations OF this convention,
when II is called. will be very eager.
and that ell sorts Of combinations and
trades will be made by candidates. The
pariah offices, under the present system.
are extremely lucrative, and candidates
would not be human II they did not make
a fierce fight for the candidates.. But
1t would be we'll for all aspirants for
these nominations to understand that
one OF the first and most important steps
|of the Democratic government which
will be inaugurated In January next
will be TO carry out that plank Of the
Baton Bouge platform nhich pledges the
party u abolish all superfuous offices,
to reduce all excessive salaries and all
fees Of opuient offices. This plank OF the
platform will undoubtedly be carried
out by the Democrats so soon as they
get control OF the Government.
ALI right-thinking men in this parish,
who understand that public Offices are
for the benefit OF the public, and not
for the emolument OF individuals or for
the support OF party organizations,
desire that this pledge, solemnly made
at Baton Rouge. shall be rigidly carried
out in the Legislature Of the State. The
people throughout the country are de-
termined that these reductions and this
reorganization shall be made, and they
will send Senators and Representatives
down here to make them, as they will
support the State ticket believing that
the Executive will devote his energies
and influence to such reforms.
| At the last session OF the Legis-
lature the Democratic House very
properly defeated an ill-devised
and badly-digested bill for the re-
duction OF the fees OF the Civil
Sheriff. The bill was bad in itself, and
was, besides, devised by the Radical
Senate as q measure for prosecuting a
Democratic official, and 1t was defeated
very properly. The Democratic State
government will certainly reduce the
fees OF the Office OF Civil Sheriff, but II
will do so as part OF well-digested and
general scheme OF retrenchment and
reform. &9t
The fees OF the offices OF Civil and
Criminal SherifYs, and Of the Clerks OF
the Courts, will be reduced to standard
that will pay the incumbents a fair sum
for their services. The charter OF the
city will be changed. and a more eco,
nomical system OF municipal govern.
ment organized. Tax Collectors, and
all other ,superauous and expensive
officials will be abolished, and the State
city and parish governments reorgani
zed upon a rigid plan Of economy and
hard work. .ft
The Democratic Conservative party Is
pledged to this policy. Every candidate
on the State ticket is pledged in honor
to advocate, to urge, and as far as In bis
power lies, to force these reforms anc
reductions. Every man who accepts
candidacy for the Legislature on tht
Democratic Conservative ticket be
comes a party to the pledges OF thu
platform, and those candidates who
after they are elected. shall fail to vott
for these reductions and reforms, viii
betray their trusts and disgrace thei
party.
Candidates for the nominations To-
these parish and city offices should. al
we have said, bear these facts in mind
and temper the ardor OF their aspira
tion The CITY and parish offices, i