New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-11-30
THE THEE MILLION LOAN.

We copy the following communication
from the Bulletin, and commend it to the
attention of our readers. co. ..
| That the present city administration has
been condemned by the people of all par
ties as the worst that has ever afflicted
New Orleans does not admit of a
doubt; and we cordially second the mo-
ton of More Anon for a change, both Of
men and system. A Mayor and five Com
missioners and a Surveyor, with appro-
pirate duties assigned to each, would be
acceptable. 1t would be virtually return
to the bureau system, which certainly gave
satisfaction to the people, and compelled
the admiration of bitter political oppo-
nents. We will join with any party in
urging upon Governor Warmoth, in case
he shall. be vested with the power, the ap-
pointment of men Of good standing and
financial abilities to municipal positions.
National and State politics should not be
introduced into our municipal counsels.
and hence we have no use for politicians.
To the Editors of the Commercial Bulletin:
The Crescenfs editorial 10 its issue of the
twenty-seventh instant says: "The current
expenses Of the city must be paid or the
city government abandoned and the charter
surrendered" Amen, say we to this, and
the sooner it is done the better, for all our
now Frustrated people, who are bowed
down byItaxation through the imbecility of
its rulers now known as the Mayor, Com
mon Council and appendages, such as
Street Commissioners and Surveyors De-
partments. All are an incubus that must
be got rid of or we are ruined commu-
nifty. Let it be eXterminated at once. saw
we, and Mayor, five Commissioners and a
Surveyor be appointed to perform all the
duties incumbent upon them for the maL-
agement Of the affairs of the government of
the city.
This nefarious, imbecile, dishonest and
wasteful organization, known as the Com
mon Council, has been tried for forty years,
and we have the results, as published to-
day, of deot of over sixteen millions of
dollars In the face of this comes Thomas
Shields, E'quire, project of rec million
loan, with its usurious interest OF twelve
and half per cent
The Crescent, to Brighten taxpayers to
make them vote for this infamous three
million bill, tells them that the city affairs |
will will pass into the hands of appointees
of Governor Warmoth. We care not fig
who appoints the commissioners, SO they |
are competent, honest, industrious men, |
holding property and paying taxes. We
presume that Governor Warmoth will |
forego all political bias and predictions,
in such pressing emergency as the restor-
alton OF the city of New Orleans from actual |
ruin of its financial and commercial well |
fare, and choose old, reliable, well tried, |
honest men, such as have ever managed |
their own private business successfully, to |
fill the position of commissioners OF the |
city of New Orleans.
The Crescent says: "If any other means
can be adopted to relieve the city, why are
they not suggested" We have shown
that Alderman Shieldss three million bill
should be abandoned or modified. Why is
it not done? Does not every one know
that one-quarter of one per cent tax on
the personal and real property of the city,
and on all the licenses of the city, give
over four hundred thousand dollars, when |
only two hundred and nineteen is required |
Tor the payment of the interest on this |
three million loan. Will the Crescent |
please to inform the Taxpayers what is in |
tended to be done with the moderate eX-
cess Of one hundred and eighty-one thous-
and dollars? Alderman Shields informs us
that sinking fund is to be created, bus he
does not say how, when and where this
most desirable necessity is to be inaugu-
rated. That is to be left to future period, |
when the finances of the city are got into
another ENHANCEMENT requiring another
issuance Of bonds of FIVE millions, which |
we guarantee to the taxpayers will come |
in year, unless the Common Council is |
buried so deep that Gabriels trumpet will |
not resurrect it!
We assail not the present members of |
the Council, but array ourselves against |
their management. There are many good |
sound men composing this body, but I'M
fortunately are in a minority, otherwise
This bond bill of Alderman Shields would |
never become a law. We call upon the |
of the Council to amend this loan
bill, reduce the interest to fUe per cent,
and provide to pay the principal yearly in
twenty-five years. How the law of 1856, |
limiting the amount of bonds issued by |
the city or debt incurred to $12,000.006, |
when it now actually exceeds $4,000, 900,
is to be got over by our City Fathers, re-
mains to be seen. The Citizens Associa-
lion must look to this important question.
MORE ANON.