St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-05-15
THE POLICE JURY QUESTION

Ihe Shreveport journal, IN speak
ing of the appointment of Police
Jurors by the Governor. says:
"The charge has been repeatedly
made that Governor McEnery ap
pointed none but his politica
friends on these Juries. The as
sertion is eminently untrue SO fan
as the parish Of Caddo is concern,
ed. OF the ten Police Jurors up.
pointed by him. not more than one
took any part in his favor id the
canvass resulting III his nomina.
ton; while, on the contrary, sew.
eral of them were the most pro.
nounced of his opponents. The
apo intments were made on the
recommendation of the Cadlo dele.
CATION, no. one of whom was sup.
porter of the Governor in the pri.
maries, and two of whom were ex-
tlemely bitter in their opposition.
That these appointments were ju-
diciols, the present healthfnl con-
dition of the parish treasury bears
ample evidence.
The Office of Police Juror is the
reverse of profitable, if, indeed,
there be any honor attach ed to it,
and so the Executive patronage is a
bagatelle. The Legislature of 1888
will have authority to deprive the
Governor of the power of appoint
ment. but it will be on evil day for
many parishes in the State if it be
done. And We risk nothing in say
ing that those who are now so eng or
to strip the Executive of this poor
privilege will be keenly opposed to
it, if they succeed in getting in their
man"
The Plaqnemines Observer says:
"Gen. Z. I. Lewis is aD anti-ad-
ministration politician of the reform
school. To benefit his own parish
he would infiict irreparable injury
on fourteen other parishes of this
State. His inimical attitude to the
Governor is phlpably manifested
in his promise to secure the pas
sage of law which wonld throw
the gover,pnent of fourteen par
.shes into the hands of the Repub-
licans. Plaqnemines is n Republi-
can parish. Its Police Jury to-day
is composed of Democrats, among
whom are some of The ablest, most
honest aud respectable citizens of
our parish. They appoint their
Secretary and the Office of Treas
urer. which is of paramount i'm
portancc. is filled by them. There
nre thirteen other parishes in this
State i'll similar fix. Let the Of
fee of Police Juror become cleo
tive, and cur local government will
he placed in the hands of indiyidu-
ais wholly incapable to steer the
parochial ship in the manner in
which it is nov done"
The Ascension Democrat, of Dom
aldsonville. says:
1T is arsned that the system of
appointing POLES Jurors is un-
Democratic. aud for this reason
must go; but it occurs TO us that
Ihe measure WAS contemplated in
! constitutional convention. pre-
Democratic, that sdelib-
.rately omitted to prescribe the
means of selection, which omission
vas taken advantage of 10y II Demo-
cratic Legislature, to the end that
! number Of parishes might be
guaranteed decent and responsible
government. Tie theory of Demo
cratic government, as we under
'taua it, is to secure the greatest
good to the greatest number; per-
'onal and individual rights are fully
md cffuctually guarded by tie Con-
'titution, against any infringement
~ the Police Jury, which deals
chiefly with civic matters, MS they
relate to property. No rights of |
citizenship can be abridged; no |
'nerous burdens imposed upon the
Individual through his agency;
,roperty-holders and x-payers
chiefly are concerned in its opera
ions. and any expedient that is de-
'igned to protect this class of citi-
ems against wreckless and i'm
,rovident administration, when it
works mo wrong to any other class,
,anuot be considered undemocrat-
C. But, after all, theories are
wont til but little when confronted
~ facts. We prefer to have the