The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-11-27
THE PUBLIC PRINTING.

Editor Denocrnt-I have watched with much
interest the controversy going on over the mat
ter of the public printing, and l have been
much gratfied at the dignifed position as
sumed by the DEMOCRAT. The best way is to
look at things just they were. as they are, aud
as they should be. I was one of those who
started the New Orleans DEMOCRAT and I say
without hesitation that the paper was born Of
dire political necessity. The Democratic party
was the only party organized in opposi-
ton to Radicaism in New Orleans, and
there was not single paper published In
the English language that was true to the peo-
pie-that was not, indeed. worse than tainted
with the corruption OF the dominant gang. The
Bee was always faithful. but it was published
as now. in French, and therefore could not
reach the mass of the people in and out of New
Orleans The outlook for a successful cam
paign was gloomy indeed. and O number Of
meetings of gentlemen of high standing and
| enlarged political experience and sagaeity were
held to discuss the situation and the remedy.
The utter weakness, and lukewarmness--if not
worse-of the English papers was freely dis
| cussed. The distinct conclusion was that DEM
ocratic paper must be started-first. to dissem-
mate as widely as possible proper principles; ;
second, to arouset the people to action third. and
by Earring he ep pockets 81 such s papers as the
tude OF declaring themselves distinctly for or
! against Radicalism:.
few honsand doaps smbscpbsh from mo poctes I
that could i'll afford it, started the DEMOCRAT.
1t Is matter Of history how soon the hitherto
politically .wishy-washy sheets arrayed them
selves on the side of the people. with the little
ability they possessed Thenceforward we had
something like an united press. and the victory
was oars.
This much to show that a proper press Is as
essential to political success as votes them
selves The man is al Q iool Ia politics who i i'm q
agines otherwise But ii press Is essential to
success, then the support of that press is as
much political duty as any other that attaches
to US. Not its support through the robbery OF
the people, as in the case of the Republican, but
its support in giving 1t such public work to do
as has to be done, and at living prices No man
works for the y late for nothing, from the Gov
posterous to ask of men, indus rious intelligent
and honorable enough to conduct an able and
faithful paper to do SO for nothing or for
pittance. There is no Difficulty at all In the mat
ing prices are, any more than in ascertaining
what q merchant can retail sugar and flour for;
and having learned this they are bound in all
common sense. as well as In good faith to the
paper which, through thick and thin, through
poverty and tribuation (sacrifcing willingly
every dollar originally contributed to start IT.,
not only aroused letharglc people to action, tut
drove into traces two or three sheets that were
every day covertly working us under the per-
| manent heel of Radicalism.
| No man who reads the printing law can
the public printing to the lowest bidder and 1t
| is clear that they were very properly guided by
the principles above laid down. | have no
out to the lowest bidder, the Pcay.sae and Times
| can fill them all, from the Governorship down.
at figures far lower than we now pay--aye, for
almost nothing. Indeed, looking at it as pure
business, no doubt hose patriotic papers would
give bonus. The question is. however. how
would the offices be flied? BRUTUS.