New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-02-24


nominees killed or driven from the par
ishes. Nothing, in our opinion, has SO
much concentrated the Democracy. If
this power of appointment should be dis
carded by the executive, the local contests
would create a local conflict 1t would
compel the rivals to recognizeand protect
the colored vote for the State and Federal
Offices in securing it for the local candi-
dates.
The relief to the executive would be
instantaneous and immense. There would
be no longer the came motives for inces-
SAINT and exclusive devotion to making
and filling official vacancies. The Gov
ernor of Louisiana would cease to be the
arbiter of every question. He would take
the same position with the executive of
other States; he would become as re-
spectacle and as obscure as others. Such
would, in our opinion, be one consequence
of renting to the people the election of
every military and municipal officer,
with such officers Of State as they may
not choose to devolve on their representa-
tives in the Legislature.
The chief motive with the politicians
of Louisiana is, however, the lucrative
compensation and perquisites of various
offices. State and municipal. Guided by
the same principle of Republican wisdom,
we would cut away this temptation en-
tirely. The incumbent in Office should
receive a liberal salary for his personal
performance of his official duties. Nothing
more. All perquisites should be covered
into the treasury of the people. With
limitation of debt and taxation, with such
a reorganization of the State and city Off
ces as would assure proper performance
of public duty, there would be no further
motive among desperate and Inscriptions
men of any party to arrest the whole
business of society and plunge the State
in civil war.
Are we asked by Republicans of what
party advantage will be this abnegation
of the spoils? We answer, it will save
the suffrage of the colored Republicans by
making it subject of Democratic solicit
tude. 1t will elevate the influence of the
business interests by withdrawing the
needy desperation which now overawes
those interests. Republican principles
will be established and expand, when the
storm of Democratic ambition shall have
swept over the land and exhausted.
Our programme of pacifcation would
therefore be as follows:
l. The Governor should at a proper
time convene the Legislature and address
them request:
First-To enact such legislation as
would make the offices annually elective
Second-To make the measure of Off
cial compensation adequate to the per-
sonal service of the incumbent.
We have few words to say on the prin-
ciple of this advice. 1t complies with
the doctrines of every republican from
Hampden and COTE to Thomas jefferson.
But its policy may be questioned. Look,
then, at the history of the Republican
party in Louisiana. The executive Off
GERS may have derived personal profit
from the gift of this patronage. Has the
Republican party received correspond
ing advantsge2 The tax gatherers have
been enriched. Has the Republican par
ty thereby received the benefit of those
gains? We have seen sheriffs, judges
mayors and other municipal officers sent
into the parishes-we have seen the
incumbents sheltering themselves in the
purlieus Of New Orleans, and we have
actually known Democratic committees
visit the Governor to say what men they
would allow to hold Office under his com
mission. Even the Federal patronage
has been Of little value and has made {
very inadequate return to the party for thu
personal gain and consideration which the!
may have reflected upon the incumbents
We make no personal limitations, but
any one can show where the executive o.
other incumbents in Office have strength
ened the power of the Republican part!
in Louisiana they can have the use Of ou
columns to do so.
Such is our plan of pacifcation. 1t Sc
cures to the Republicans all the fruits o
reconstruction. 1t discards subject o
strife in which they are and must con
tinue the weaker party. 1t scuttles
ship which is no longer seaworthy and o
which the Republicans can no longer re
tain command if it were. This insur
ance upon the principles and suffrage o
the Republicans may be effected now. 1
the Democracy obtain control of the gov
eminent It may never be guaranteed il
future. The Republicans are Injured +
toll and can live without Office Tn
Democracy has nothing and does nothing
and if they once get hold of the politica
ieshpots Of Office, the Republicans vii
be compelled to make brick withou
straw the term Of their natural lives an,
that of their descendants after them.
OUR REPRESENTATIVES, II CONGRESS
II win be a subject Of general regre
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