The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-19
THE ExECUnyEAND THE JUDICIARY
VIENNA, La., April 10, 1879.

VIENNA, La, April 16, 1879.
TO the Editor OF the Democrat.
&c Ia conceded that three questions OF para
mount Importance will demand the attention
of the constitutional convention which ~ soon
I'd assemble: The disposal Of the State debt,
the reorganization OF the judiciary and the
patronage Of the Executive. / will leave the
first and second TO that august body. but aH
the third directly concerns the people, ~ Will
more fully appear below. ! have thought
proper to give my views thereon, which also
are the views of many people.
Executive patronage, national and State,
Yields an influence Of great magnitude 80
great that Legislators hitherto have curtailed
III within The least possible limits for the cue
ceseful administration Of those offices, the In.
cumbents of which are directly responsible to
the appointing power, and without depriving
the Executive Of one Of the functions Of his
Office. we have seen the abuse Oh this power
these latter days, the worst elements being
intrusted with important positions In which
they abused the trust confided to them, and
resorted to a wholesale spoliation OF the peo-
pie; ind II " be answered that the carpet-baR
administrations were exceptional, I would
reply that human nature ID the same the
world over-some good, some bud. the latter
often being elevated to the chief magistraey, |
when promises privately made are fulfilled, |
and men oil like character Taappointed To all /
places Uf profit that are within the gift Of the
Executive; aud with tho immense patronage
now Of the Executive Of this State notice that
the Bar Association OF New Orleans proposes
to confer additional power upon him, 80 much
80 that about one-third the Offices will be- at
his disposal, and In the hands oil d corrupt
magistrate what power for evil will he pos
YtxnA
people
The selection OF officers liz prerogative of
The people that should not be relinuuished
under any circumstances, for Ii the selection
bo bad, no matter who or what power makes
tho selection thy people are the sufferers; and
the oft-repeated argument that the MACS liz
Incompetent To eelect the judiciary IL an ex-
ploded one, not borne out by the facts.
The people are entrusted to select the law
maker; they are entrusted to select the Exec
utive I'd enforce the law, but cannot be- trusted
to select an interpreter III the law. q no: their
selection, tho Governor, must choose their su-
preme judges. their district Judges and their
magistrates.
We recolleet but too well how we Of this dis
trict were haraased by appoihtees, and we
recollect with gratitude, how Republican
judge, elected, enforced the law against these
and brought them To grief.
The constitution Of 1916 provided for the !
appointment Of the judiciary, but Ia 1852,
seven years thereafter, the organic law not !.
being satisfactory. the constitution provided J
Tor the election Of oil Judges and the Supreme
favorably with my OF its predecessors Or suc- i
cessOrs. None better IN this State have worn !
Tho ermine. A MerrIck was chosen Chief .
Justice, o VOORHEES, and Spofford were chosen :
lion. Then does the Bar Association dare say I
that the people must not choose even their !
mngistrates2 The people Insist, demand the 1
privilege of selecting their own judiciary. | !
Nothing less will satisfy. They have fought
nent. they will fight It In the State. Let not
he convention hug the phantom that the n
,eople will be satisfied with reduction Or =
axation, and the taking away III the privi- = =
eye Of electing even u petty official They Z
viii watch the convention, they will mark the a
lpoetate, and they will be heard when such +
IN one offers for a position. UNo. =