The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-04-04


cannot be overra,ed by the people of the Second
Municipality. The confusion into which the finan-
cial Affairs of the city have been thrown by the
insane legislation of last year at Baton Rouge and
the dangers to which our Public School System
have been exposed, by the folly of majority of
the Council, during the first six months Of the
year now closing, admonishes the people of the
imperative necessity of sending no men TO that
body, who are not animated by an honest and de-
termned purpose to sustain, regardless of all party
considerations, the true interests and honor of the
Municipality.
Experience has shown, that whenever partisan
Council has been elected-by which we mean
Council of which a majority is returned pledged
to obey the dictates of party leaders, rather than
those of conscience, and to regard the success OF
party schemes, rather than the welfare of their
constituents-the consequences have been most
deplorabe. .7'
This, fortunately, has happened but twice since
1886; namely, in 1s47, and again last year.
II NAV be profitable 10 our fellow citizens to re-
fer to the somewhat eventfu history of these
epochs.
By means of inscriptions Misrepresentation,
and the most unblushiDg calumnes, demagogusm
obtained majority in the Council of 1867. 1t was
then, for the first time, that party names were in
reduced in that body, and it was avowed
that the bshests Of party were to rule, where only
the welfare of the people, so far it depended on
the conduct OF its municipal affairs, should have
controlled.
What were the tactics then adopted? As sue
cess had been attained by calumnions misrepresen-
tation Of the financial management and condition of
the Municipality by preceding Councils, the pub
lie, who had been by such ignoble misled,
very naturally expected that proofs would be forth
coming to sustain charges to which they had given
credence. Hence the appointment, during that
year. of Board of Examiners, at an expense of
several thousand dollars, to ferret out and expose
the dishonest practices that had been so positively
denounced.
The result of that examination covered the
calumniators with shame, and those who had OBJ
tanned seats in the Council by their means, were
driven from them the succeeding election, by an
indignant and honest constituency.
The effects of that years INSTRUMENTATION
were long felt. The means to which demagoguism
then owed its success, were destructive aof the
credit of the Municipality, and temporary bank
ruptcy Immediately ensued.
The Municipal Hall, then being built under con-
tract was stopped, and its cost increased enor-
mously by law suits, damages, etc. The assets of
the Sinking Funds were sold by the Sheriff at a
sacrifice of some siaty thousand dollars--aJout
oae-thtrd of qctich sun aren't into the pockets of
the present Recorder. And finally an extra tax
was laid Of one per cent, as without it, the wheels
of Government would have stood still
The Public Schools were insidiously attacked,
by an attempt to abolish the High Schools, and ex-
clude music from the Schools. An attempt was
also made to render the Work-house useless, and
to cap the climax, to convert the Municipal Hall
into grog shop
The Treasurer of the Municipality, who had
under the preceding Councils, been satisfied with
about $1,000 per annum, under the reformed"
Councils of 1876 and l847, claimed, and actually
took, about $ll 900 per annum and while doing
this, recommended, as a measure of financial re.
lief, that the pianos of the Public Schools should
be sold ;!
We say, it may be profitable TO the people to
compare the results Of the partisan Council of
IS46'7, with those which followed the election OF
May last.
To destroy and misrepresent all that had been
done by their predecessors, was again the watch
word of the majority. Calumny had again effected
its vile purpose, and even with more disastrous
consequences for it elevated to the RecordershiI
and Presidency of the Council, person possessing
no one qualification for SO important and honorable
Office, and in place of one, now universally ac
knowledged 10 have been the most efficient Police
Magistrate and devoted public servant our city ever
possessed, under whose supervision our Public
Schools had attained degree of excellence unsur
passed, if not unequalled, by any Public Schools
in the Union.
As like causes produce like effects, so it was ne
cessary to make another examination, at the peo-
pies expense, of the books of the Treasurer and
again it was found, that under the administration
of their predecessors of the last Two years, not an
error to the amount of one cent was found.
That our Public Schools have been in imminent
danger-that our Work house has been closed up
as nseless-are facts known 10 every one ; and il
the Municipa Hall has not been converted into Il
grop-shop, it is well known that the Council
Chamber, from the incompetency of its presiding
officer, at times, very much resembles bear
garden.
No special tax has been laid but it is fact not
to be disputed, that so depressed has been the
credit OF the Municipality, that eighteen per cent,
per annum was paid for large sums, exceeding fifty
thousand dollars, last summer in order to make the
necessary repairs to the wharves and Levees.
1t is but fair to state, that much Of the embar
rassment that led to this state Of things may b.
traced to the inqutous and unconstitutional law o
last year, that placed the Municipality in the posi-
ton of bankrupt corporation; and the agitation o
abe preposerous proposition of certain speeulator.
in Third Municipality bonds and notes, to deprive
the people of this Municipality of the right ant
power to manage their own Municipal affairs.
But it will be recollected that the presen
Recorder, and majority of those along with hin
in the Council, took active part in inducing th
legislation, and they cannot with propriety, evad'
the responsibility of its consequences.
We repeat, then, that all who have at heart tn
prosperity of the Second Municipality; all VIII
take pride in its almost magic growth, during tn
few years the energies of its inhabitants have no
been fettered by narrow and sectional prejudices
all who feel that their destiny is identified with it
prosperity, look well to the election of next Mon
day, for on its result will much depend the futr
Of this most important portion of our city.
--t<e-
Frauds I'm Freight.
S,Ioh .f H., :,