New Orleans Republican., 1877-01-27

principle incorporated in the constitution
by the Republicans. The last evidence
consists in the cordial acceptance and
solicitation of negro representation and
negro suffrage.
The Republicans have at last succeeded
in securing Democratic approval, sincere
or pretended, of this chief measure of
constitutional amendment.
Both parties in this State have prom
ised reforms. The Republicans have thus
far Effected all that have been made.
The Democracy has exposed the hypoe-
risy of these pretenses by grabbing at
the shadow of the most lucrative offices,
without enacting measures for the reduc-
ton of either the perquisites or patronage
of any of them.
The Republicans may be no better than
the Democracy, but they have motives for
reform peculiar to their situation If it
becomes the judgment of the nation that
Republican ascendsncy in the Southern
States is inseparable from abuses which
Democracy has always practiced with po-
litical impunity, these abuses may be at
tributed to the incompetency of the large
mass of Republicans to exercise the rights
with which they have been endowed by
the nation, an attempt may be made
to correct these alleged abuses by repeal
ing the power to perpetuate them. The
exercise of executive influence has proved
SO profitable and injurious to the Repub-
ican party that the late Governor has
asked the Legislature to devolve this duty
upon popular election. The high sala-
ries, lucrative patronage, heavy taxation
and wasteful expenditures of the city ad-
ministration have imposed upon the Re-
publican party reproach, while the
Democracy have derived all the advan-
tages of the Objectionable system. Indeed
the lucrative inducement of these city Off
ces constitutes the motive for Democratic
organization, and furnishes the necessary
means for conducting campaign against
the Republican State government. 1t is
thus the Obvious interest of the Repub-
lican party to enact these reforms. 1t
will establish Republican principles per-
manently. 1t will disperse the Democ-
racy by annihilating and eliminating the
only principle upon which Democracy
can cohere It is, ITO the victors be-
long the spoils." What use can Demo-
crat see in a conflict when there is no
plunder? The other cooperative element
consists in men really conservative, who
fear the ferocity of the unmuzzIed bull
dozer, the rapacity of the ambitious
White Lacquer with his famished follow
ers, and the avowed determination of the
nullifers to overthrow any Republican
government which they can not control.
The conservative element is composed,
also, in powerful degree OF men who
detest and dread politics-landlords in
want of good tenants, capitalists who re-
quire punctual borrowers, men working
active enterprises and mechanics who
need employment
Such are the powerful elements in fa-
vor of reducing the public burdens, and
the legislative power to increase
them; of introducing economy of expendi-
lures, and of fixing the pay OF. public
officer upon the basis of adequate COM
pensation for the personal services en-
ployed in the performance of official
duties.
Can not these elements be combined in
adjusting the anarchy which prevails in
Louisiana? A common interest and COM
non sense prove that it should be done,
md that it may be done. We are not
.fraid to sketch our idea of the mode in
which this adjustment may be effected:
l. The recognition of the government
If Mr.. Packard by the Federal govern
nent may be assum ed as an event inevi-
able in the immediate future. The Re-
publicans will expect from the adminis-
ration the exclusive nomination of
lonest and competent men for
,fice. 1t will expect the nomina-
ion of no man whose name and
influence will not strengthen the
popular and business confidence in the
party. It will be expected
hat the Senate will confirm these nomi-
Iations on the principle stated.
Governor Packard may repeat the re-
Iuest of his immediate predecessor that
he executive be relieved of municipal
and that it be referred to the
lective choice of the people. He may
lso address message to the Legislature
rging upon that body the enactment
+ the reforms professed by both political
'arties, but completely executed as yet
y neither.
2. The msjorities of the Republican
late administration viii leave no further
zcuse for the secession Of Democratic
MEMBERS. Thus far these members hold
nder the same authority with Mr.. Pack
rd-that of the Returning Board.
Whether their meeting has been that Of
moot society torehearse the pieces which
hey would perform, or whether it be held
hat these members have been absent
rom their seats in legal body, does not
feet their rights, SO far as these rights
nay not have been thus affected by the