New Orleans Republican., 1877-05-16
pArRoNAoE-rTs WEAKNESS AND RS
Wisdom,

erBment are the spollS OF party SERVICE
The Democratic doctrine has been that
these spoils are to be employed to ere"
ward their friends" 1t is only necessary
to refer to the dishonor brought upon the
Republican party by the Credit Mobilier
and whisky rings, as well as by the ad-
ministration of the Southern State gov
ernments, all of which have compelled
the Republican President to permit the
military capture of Republican govern
ments to avoid civil war, and reform the
abused principle to which we have re-
ferred. The weakness of this system of
patronage has been visible in non-resi-
dent principals of our chief Federal Of
fees, in subordinate Federal appoint
ments filled by men without influence
or ability, and finally by the shameful
spectacle of men who had received the
moot lucrative patronage of the State gov
eminent selling out their party and in
some notable instances their race for a
share of the spoils captured from the
Republican party. Such has been the
fatal fruit of the Democratic doctrine
adopted by the Republican administra-
tons.
The patronage of a government may be
wisely and legitimately administered. 1t
should be addressed to so illustrate the
principles of the party as to make them
practically acceptable to the people. This
requires in the first instance men of in
tegrity and ability. They must be Sec
onded by competent, honest and indus
trious subordinates. With such an official
organization the chief of department
comprehends his mission, gives TO his
country the benefit of efficient service,
and to his party the pride of having done
more for their fellow citizens than could
have been effected by their opponents.
Among the most important depart
ments of party patronage is that of the
revenue service, and in nothing is it of so
much consequence to a party as that the
taxes should be carefully collected and
honestly accounted for. 1t is obvious,
therefore, that the Customhouse at New
Orleans should be SO conducted as to af-
ford the Republican party the advantage
of citing the integrity of its administra-
ton, the courtesy and efficiency of its
employees. 1t is our duty to remark that
the collector of Customs at this port will
be subjected to some incidental disadvan-
tages for which the Democracy will held
him responsible. The Democracy have
seized on the decline of New Orleans and
used it as lever to get into power. They
will do the same with the decline of i'm
ports through the Customhouse. The
Republican party is no more responsible
for the one than the other.
The report of the Senate Committee on
Transportation, made two years since,
shows that twenty -four-twenty-ffths Of the
domestic and foreign commerce of the
West was conducted by lake, canal and
rail through the Eastern Atlantic ports.
This change of channel has sofar diverted
imports from New Orleans that free and
dutiable receipts, which before the war
amounted to twenty millions annually,
have fallen last year TO about eleven and
a half millions-a decline of nearly forty
per cent. The importations through the
Eastern, Atlantic and lake ports amount
to more than four hundred millions. The
customs receipts of New Orleans, which
before the war were from twenty to thirty
per cent of the whole imported values,
are now less than three per cent. New
Orleans stands now as the second city in
the value of her exports, and the twelfth
in the value of her imports. 1t is more
than probable that this decline will con-
tinue, because the proportion of vessels
coming into this port in ballast is far
greater than that of the other principal
ports. In the year 1875 thirty-four per cent
Of the vessels coming into our port were in
ballast; the proportion Of Boston and New
York for the same year did not exceed
four or Eve per cent. The want of regu-
lar steam communication of New Orleans
with European ports during the whole
year prevents the modern practice of inn
porting merchandise on order, and tends
to throw the importation Of our own
goods through New York and other East
ern ports. The REPUBLICAN published
last year that more than sixty millions OF
dollars in merchandise bad been brought
to New Orleans by rail It is significant
of change in commerce.
We have thus put the. new administra-
ton Of the Cnstomhouse ON guard againsi
being held responsible ky the Democracy
for an in evitable consequence of modern
commesce. Is thereany means by which
this responsibility may be metz We will
endeAvor to apply the principle Of a wise
application Of patronage.
It is fortunate for the Republican party
that Hon. John E. King is man of abil-
ity and character to comprehend the true
policy Of commencing his Office to the
respect Of the INGREDIENTS and business in
terests Of the city. Il is fortunate that
he has head on him capable to advoc&te
measures calculated to attract more com.
merce to this city, and 50 give the coun-
try and the party lie benefit Of asserting
fha dortrfna n vvhsaI, .sa b.V-a ,5.-.H,,a