New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-02
THE B0TT0N RAIL ON TOP.

THE B0TT0H RAIL on TOP.
The Democracy suddenly discove
the destructive error of the spoils doc
trine. They complain that the frequen
change of officers impairs the efficiency
of the public service, and hint at rule
which will introduce the astounding in
novation Of requiring that sworn Officer
of the government should be personally
qualified to perform the duties for which
he has been elected.
A resolution recently introduced at our
Democratic, Conservative association pro-
poses
That nominations for the judgeships and
| certain other eminent and lucrative offices
| in the gift of New Orleans, should be made
by the State instead Of the parish conven.
ton.
When we look at this radical departure
from the Democratic principle of popular
capacity to choose their own agents, it
appears evident that the Democracy has
taken alarm at the effect Of their own
ruinous doctrine. The comments of a
Democratic organ places this conjecture
beyond question as to our own city. First
the superior fitness of the State COM
mittee is set upon high, and we might add,
aristocratic ground. Speaking Of the
proposition to tran sfer to the State COM
mittee the nomination of parish officers,
It is said:
The body from which this proposition
emanates representa-, perhaps, more of the
our people than any other political organ
ization in the State, having for its head go
distinguished gentleman as General Fred
| Ogden, and for it's material the best class
| Of citizens of every profession and pursuit.
| 1t is not local in its character, being COM
posed of representatives of every ward,
and, generally, may be said to express in
the clearest and most reliable manner the
sense OF the superior element of the Demo-
cratic party in New Orleans.
General Fred Ogden is, we believe, the
military as we'll as the political commander
Of this superior element" and has had
ample opportunity to observe the charac-
ter of the troops who have served under
him in either capacity. That ''the proro-
sition emanated'' from the superior ele-
ment" of which General Ogden is the
representative indicates, then, distrust
of the popular capacity. This has been
somewhat confirmed by recent divisions
ana intrigues of those disorderly bands,
with their ambitious leaders, which con-
stitute the power of Democracy. 1t seems
to have been asserted in the Association
That the parish convention had Aegener-
ated into species of market place, where
offices of trust and honor, Offices affecting
the welfare and reputation of the commu-
for among set or political hucksters.
1t is rather exclusively remarked that
A convention controlled by the ward
bummere, fremen, r0ughs and rowdies of q
city as large a. New Orleans, would natur.
ally incur the distrust and dissatisfaction OF
gentlemen of high social station, intel
ligence and patriotism.
Stating the case in this way, we sup
pose any impartial observer would say
it was highly probable "the gentlemen of
Louisiana" would desire
To take from such q convention the
power to influence the most important and
responsible Offices Of the parish.
We also applaud the chivalry with
which these hish-toned applicants for
Office themselves
Have stepped forward as the champions
nf a n RI c ~
ruption in our politics.
Neither are We surprised that their
organ appeals to
The appreciation AID sympathy of all
that is decent, reputable, intelligent and
patriotic in the community.
We have had occasion to remark that
the gentlemen of Louisiana have taught
this element which they now reprobate
two important facts:
l. That when o law does not meet the
approval of the citizen be MAJ nullify.
resist or evade it.
2. That any man can hold any Office if
he can make his cross-mark to the pay
roll, hire some subordinate to perform
the duties, to pay himself out of the
perquisites of Office.
So far, however, from admitting the
superior capacity of 'the gentlemen of
Louisiana" to nominate themselves, sthe
fremen. roughs and rowdies" of the Bull
letin have asserted their Democratic rights
in the premises. They have no idea Of
leaving the parish nominations to "the
upper ten" but propose to take hand at
it themselves. We really can not see why
they can not readily rig city administra-
ton without "a gentleman of Louisiana"
on the whole pay roll. At all events, they
seem disposed to attempt it.
The gentlemen of Louisiana write es-
says on free trade. They reconcile the
irrepressible conflict between the shin
plaster and the current coin of the realm.
They repair to Washington city and regu-
late the affairs Of the nation. Their an
tagonists have none of these resources to
aid or questions to embarrass them. They
have the enginehouse and, perhaps, the
barrel house; they have the price of bread
and wages within their grasp. Is it proba-
bic they will abdicate in favor of the
barons? Does any one think that the
days of vassalage have returned? The
black people are not tho only class en-
franchised in Louisiana. The gentlemen
who neither educate, elevate nor employ
the laboring masses can neither command
their sympathies nor their obedience, and
thov will uor1 coop EpI oc,.,