The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-07
THE MOB DEMONSTRATION AT THE
CITY HALL.

| the most unqualified manner, the mob
demonstration on the part of the en-
ployes OF the Department Of Improve
ments made at the City Hall yesterday.
There may be honest differences OF
opinion as to the wisdom or propriety
OF the ordinance of the City Council
adopting the contract system" for
cleaning the streets. repairing bridges.
etc.; but law abiding men cannot
but condemn, with one voice, the
attempt of the mob to intimidate and
overawe the Mayor and Council, and
force them, by beligerent protests and
even threats Of violence, to recede from
their action.
The contract system adopted by the
Council Monday was recommended by
the Mayor in his annual message; there
Is much to be said in favor Of it, and it
was carried, after full discussion, by a
majority of the Administrators, at a
legal meeting Of the Board. We assume
that the Administrators acted conscien-
tiously and in accordance with their
understanding of the public interest.
What theory. then, Of the public good
or Of vigorous and efficient government
can justify mob in an effort to force
them to reverse their action?
The spirit manifested yesterday by
those engaged in the demonstration at
the City Hall is a dangerous one and
should be crushed in the bud. II we are
to have in this city that civil order
which constitutes the only basis OF the
prosperity of all classes, rich and poor,
the legislation of the Council must not
be dictated, influenced or modified by
threatening mobs, or riotous assem-
blages Of any character.
If the deliberate action Of the Board
of Administrators taken, on the recon-
mendation Of the Mayor, in whose in
tegrity and public spirit the whole
community have confidence, and, after
mature deliberation, may be reversed
by the outcries Of an unreflecting mob,
hot with the crude and unintelligent
idea that they are threatened with some
indefinite wrong, the next week or the
next day the courts may be dominated
by the same wild and irresponsible
order and prosperity in the community.
The Administrators should not be in
huenced in the least by this demonstra-
ton, nor should the Mayor hesitate
moment to approve the ordinance
which provoked it, If he believes the
Ia int 1xys1I a Il
Dy.
We do not dispute the right Of citizens
Of all classes to assemble, and through
peaceful and lawful means protest
against such actions Of public officials
as seem obnoxious to them or threaten
their rights or interests. This, indeed,
is one Of the very highest rights
Of American freemen, and American
freemen should exercise it when
ever and wherever they believe that
a public injury has been done or is
meditated. But there is no more
similarity between such meetings
and protests. and mobs with def
ance in their hearts and threats Of
violence upon their lips, than there is
between civil order and licentious riot
ing; between right, reason and the
widest and most dangerous folly.
We trust that the sober second
thought will bring many Of the men en-
gagged in the unseemly demonstration
yesterday to this same conclusion.
Many Of them, we are sure, believed
they had been grievously wronged by
the action of the board, and that they
were justified in their action. A little
reflection will convince this honest class
Of the demonstrators that no grievance
can be remedied by lawless and violent
The fearless action Of Mr.. Cavanac,
of Commerce, against
whom the fury Of the assembly was
chiefly directed, and the firm attitude
assumed by the Mayor and other mem
bers Of the board, had a happy effect and
must convince those who participated
in the proceeding through a naturally
vicious temper, and under the delusion
that bulldozing can dominate the law in
New Orleans, that neither threats nor
actual violence will control or influence
the Council.
TURNING STATES EVIDENCE.