The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-04-25
RINGS AND RESTITUTION.

RINGS AND RESTITU lion.
Immediately on the admission of tn,
Paokardites to the seats in the Legis
lature too long kept vacant for them
there start pretty credible rumors OF th,
organization OF rings, on the system
which has prevailed In oil the preceding
Radical Legislatures of this State. TIL,
object Of these rings has been to oontro
the Legislature of the State, and TO sci
to interested parties, In the block, th,
votes of the members COMPOSING
the rings. The annals of no govern
ment in the civilized world could ex
hibit such an amount of venality ant
corruption rs would be revealed in 6
truthful narrative Of the transactions O.
these rings. since that most banefu
OF all the occurrences In our history
the accession OF Warmoth to the
Governorship Of this State in 1868
Millions OF tho States and PEG.
pies money have been swallowed
up by these vile cormorants
Every act Of the Legislature. good OF
bad-and they were nearly all OF the
latter olass-was subjected to this tax.
The members OF the rings oil became
rich. So did the Executive, and even
the judicial officers. Some have aban-
doned the State and invested their plum
der elsewhere. Others have squandered
their illgot pelf.
There still remain among us o num-
Der who have managed to hide away
and retain much Of their stolen wealth.
Some are indiscreet enough to parade
their shameful riches In ostentatious
displays and affected liberality.
Not the less, however, are they
rogues- rogues Of class and character
whom 1t would be most mistaken and
HHwiee Feliey ct The heaest government
Of this State to pardon or let escape
from that justice and retribution due to
their crimes. There are not a few
OF these criminals now In office.
There is large representation OF them
La the Packard portion of the Leglsla-
lure. Shall they be permitted to remain
In Offices OF dignity and trust without
some effort to vindicate the honor and
,he just claims Of the State for restitu.
ion Of the money they have extracted
rom the treasury and people? For
political acts we oheerfully join in any
for their oblivion and for
.iyeness. But for base and vile acts Of
arceny Of the treasure of the State and
Ter impoverished people. we have no
UGH liberation or indulgence.
These rogues should be treated as |
weed and his gang have been in New
,ork. They should be compelled to
isgorge.
III this course is not pursued. we need
OF be surprised IL the rumors OF the
evival Of the Ring and Plumber system
hould prove true, and that the mani.
stations thereof will be quickly dis
srnible In our too numerouseLegisla-
ire.
There Is great reason In this party of
onesty and reform to entertain serious
pprehensions from the success or Inn
unity Of such revival. We have had
,me humiliatipg experience in the
ast that when the ring system is set
operation, its baneful influence ex-
nds beyond the party which has here
fore practiced 1t. There are weak and
persons who get into public
Hoes under the guise OF honest Demo.
ats and Conservatives, who are not I'M
enticed into relations with c
ese corrupt schemers. There are t
rong allurements to poor and weak I
'rsons Of originally honest intents, 4
hich must be resisted and not permit {
d to reach any department of our gov t
nment obsta principi,s. The first in v
ofringism or venality must be
lshed in the bud. Lobbyism, mild !
nm OF corruption, must be made mis- q
and an offense. =
70 give effect to such repressive II
and impress weak and unset 4
ID minds with a due respect for the u
v, the rights of the State and the
ople, examples and presidents should W
set by the investigation and prose-
ton OF all persons In public station.
who have been In public station,
70 have heretofore abused the trust D
d embezzled the money OF the State
d the people. We need some exam la
% OF this sort. Probable cause
ainst them can be established by
'usands Of witnesses, and that is only