New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-12-30
THE POOR CITY GOVERNMENT,

The present government of this city,
foisted on our people by an inscriptions
minority callingi itself the Democratic
party, has shown itself so ignorant, worth
less and regardless OF the interests of the
people, that there remains no friend among
the Democratic journals of the city to say
word in its praise. From every class of
our population there comes an earnest de-
mand for the removal of government
which so plainly lacks the confidence
of our citizens, and from which
no good can be expected. A
number Of prominent citizens inter-
ested in the public welfare have
studied this subject since the adjournment
of the Legislature, and are now prepared
with forms of new charters and valuable
recommendations bearing on this important
subject. The public are heartily tired of
the present city government. An imme-
date change is demanded. Will the Lee
gislature come to the relief of our people,
and promptly rid us of the "rings" which
now hold sway at the City Hall? The
following sensible remarks from our mode
rate and dign'fed contemporary, the Bee,
commend themselves to the favorable con-
sideration of the General Assembly:
The measure demanded at this time in
the city government is a radical measure.
1t requires to be thoroughly changed and
reconstructed, and we are glad to say that
such reconstruction is in good hands and
will doubtless be effected within the next
sixty days. The present system of govern
ment is too clumsy, and too costly. 1t has
served it's time and the people are tired
We are glad, therefore, to announce to
them the prospect there now is of the re-
peal of the present city charter, and the
establishment of another system of NUM-
cipal governmentinnder a new one. The
new charter to which we allude has been
drawn up by eminent lawyers, and will be
submitted to the Legislature at its ap.
preaching meeting. We take it for granted
that the intelligent members of that body
are satisfied of the necessity of change in
in our municipal system, change
and simplicity, Improvements desira.
Bile always, but indispensable at
the present time, and that they are willing
to confer such boon upon this community.
We shall not permit ourselves to doubt their
readiness to meet the wishes of the tax
payers of the city by giving us charter
which promises to be so beneficial to the
interests of all. The new charter is re-
markable for the omission of the double
Board of Aldermen system; its leading idea
being that of committing the government
to few individuasl, oneiat the head of each
department, exaeting from them a rigid
and personal responsibility.
II experience has not shown the one.man
system to be the best, we think there can be
no question that at the present time it is
worth trial. 1t can not be worse than the
present government, carried on as it is in
way which prevents the taxpayers from
bringing home to the delinquent members
the faults, both of omission and COM
mission, with which they are chargeable
until it is too late to repair them. We
want no more displays of parliamentary
smartness and exhibitions of chow not to
doit." We do not see why the city can not
be governed like bank, or an Insurance
company, or any other institution, without
these useless parliamentary combats and
displays of i'll temper.
The new charter contemplates the correc-
ton of all that, and has in view the sim
plicity essential to the proper working of
municipal affairs,