The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-20
AN IMPERATIVE REFORM.

AN IMPERATIVE REFORM.
As matter of imperative duty the Dem O.
cratic Conservative majority in the House owe
it to their constituents to take prompt action
upon every measure brought before it prom
Using relief from the heavy burdens pressing
upon the people. As matter OF mere party pol
icy, moreover, such course is plainly dictated
BY wisdom. If there is to be any hesitancy OF
waveriDg on such measures, let it be confined
to the Radical members, from whom little is
expected by way of substantial relief from
public burdens.
The delay in the House to take up and act
upon the Senate bill reducing the fee of the
Civil Sheriff of this city, is the theme of uni
versal comment among the people; and if
that bill is to be smothered. or if it be
delayed to SO late day that it can not be
perfected and finally acted upon at this SEES
sion, it will be diff cult, if not impossible, for
our members in the House to justify them :
selves before the people. There is but on Q
Interpretation the people will place upon so
plain neglect of duty. The fact of the
incumbent OF that ofiice being q Democrat
will be accepted as the key to the matter, an
the only honest explanation that can be
made. 1t will form an ugly stumbling block
in our way in next falls canvass.
We pronounce no Judgment upon the merits
of the bill as it has come from the hands of
the Senate. It is very likely that the COM
pensation allowed in the bill to the Civil
Sheriff is inadequate, and the details of the
bill, we believe, to be defective. II so, let it
be taken up in the House and amended, SO as
to do ample justice to that officer and to the
people. To DO this. a careful survey of the
business of the Office, the necessary expenses
of running it efficiently and frugally, should
be made, allowing the Sheriff fair but not
extravagant compensation for the faithful dis.
charge of his responsible duties. The bill
drawn up by the Association of the Bar of
New Orleans. which is now before the Judi
ciary Committee of the House, might be
acted upon as substitute.
If orr Representatives refuse or even hesi-
tate to reduce the extravsgant fees of the
Civil Sheriff to just standard, simply be-
cause he happens to b. a Democrat, with
what grace can they attempt to reduce the
enormous income of tax collectors or clerks
Of court? And rather than involve them
selves in such manifest Inconsistency are they
disposed to let all these enormities remain as
they are? Are, then, the people to have no
relief, because, forsoOtb, some of our party
friends in Office may be reduced in their in
come? We trust such councils will not pre-
vail.
We have urged the reduction of all extrava-
CANT official incomes in the hope and expecta.
ton that those Offices are in the near future
to be filed by members of our own political
party. Reform and retren h uent in this re-
spect rise far above all mere partisan consid-
erations. The Radical party, during its
icentious reign, has multiplied useless Offices
and imposed heavy exac!ions upon the people
to enrich its adherents. For continuance of
these abuses let that party be alone RESPONSE
BILE, but let not our Democratic. Conservative
friends share that responsibility by neglecting
w SO4AOSt sA05o 6OuS0o W0ou0V0K IL CAu DOSSl.
bly, be done.
The Democratic-C Conservative members of
the Legislature eau not depart from the plain
line of duty in regard to any measure of re-
form and retrenchment without seriously
weakening their party in the coming election.
They can not aft ord to make any mistake in
matters of that of sort, if they would not en-
danger the success Of their party, for the
party will be held responsible for their short
comings. Considering the strictly partisan
attitude of the Senate and the temper of the
Radical leaders, we are not at all sanguine that |
any reformatory legislation whatever will be
at this session, but We are
ANTIQUE that no responsibility for the failure
shall attach to any of the recognized Repre-
of the people.