New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-19

of New Orleans, the apportlonmeninent ana
assessment of the Metropolitan Police for
the wear ending December 80, 1871.
The burden Of the VeSpenses OF the police
fall directly upon the taxpayer, and az
guardian Of the interest of the people, 1t
was the duty of the Mayor of New Orleans
to make his objections to the assessment
within the delay allowed by law. No such
objections have been made. On the con
trlry. the assessment was admitted to be
very reasonable
We find the suggestion. both in TIE report
of the Mayor and Administrator OF Ac-
counts. that the Legislature be asked to
restore 20 the city government the control
of the police, so as TO enable it to limit ts
cost. and also the suggestion that 9'0o,ooo
be appropriated for police purposes.
This suggestion of the Administrator OF
Public Accounts is simply ridiculous, tor
that amount. at the present rate OF s.lari es
would not sustain a force of three hundred
men, with the addition of the Fire Alarm
and Police Telegraph. and such general
and incidental! expenses as are necessary 10
a large department. But should we ADMIT.
for the sake of argument. that three nun
bred Incn could be PAID out OF tins budget
OF $500, 000. it is nevertheless pam 10 every
citizen that that number OF men IS by no
means sufficient 70 police The city of New
Orleans, extending from the United States
Barracks to Carrollton. a distance of nearly
twelve miles in length. excluding what was
formerly known as AleieIs, now portion
of the city of New Orleans. II il also I'M
reasonable to make comparisons OF the cost
of police in the cities of 81. Louis. Cinc!n-
natl. Chicago and Ealiimo-c. for II is Il well
established fact that cites OF dcnscly
populated chara. ter. and covering less
ground, can be guarded by fewer men than
Inv l,.,,. vat
are tbickIy built upon. as i'll the case OF
New Orleans.
The former city government en- icarored
by every means i'll its power to hinder the
working and obstruct the usefulness of the
Metropolitan Police by the non payment of
their assessment. and by invoking the aid OF
courts equally bitter IN their hatred OF the
new system. In many instances mob vIo-
lence aided this antagonlsm by forcing the
men from their beats, seriously threatening
to drive law and order from orr very midst.
But the metropolitan Police has outli'cd all
obstacles. and the board points with pride to
the e.f;l iency of the force rs shown during the
late election, when the peace and protection
of all voter, was maintained in Il thorough
and quiet manner, truly inaus uratin.a new
era III elections i'll this State.
We can see, therefore. no reason why
this unexpected and unjust attack has been
made by the Mayor ami administrators OF
Public Accounts upon the metropolitan
Police Unexpected. n. coming from OH
GERS created by the same Legislature and
party OF progress that gave rise to the
Metropolitan Police: nor can we see the
motive. Unless it be that greed Of power SO
fatal TO true republican government.
Again. we say. if the City Council! consid-
cred the expenses of THIS department larger
than was necessary. as shown by the cxpe.
hall
that force of two hundred and fifty or
three hundred men would lie sufficient TO
police the city. why did thpy not make
their objections when the third apportion.
ment was presented 10 them, ana y legal
opportunity given them to do so: