New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-03
THE PEOPLES COLUMN.
Brief Communications Published-Long
Ones Invariably Rejected-TAe Editor not
Responsible for The Sentiments Expressed
II, The Comm, unicotions.

Ones Invariably Rejected-IAe Editor ,aot
Responsible for The Sentiments Expressed
IN Tie COmpaunicGtions.
The Mayors Message.
| If the Mayors message fails in all other
respects, it has not failed to arouse consid-
cradle excitement among our people. The
picture he has drawn of the financial condi-
| ton of the city and the exposures made Of
| the general disposition of Administrators to
squander the peoples money, evidently has
led to the belief that rascally rings" in
this city are doing what has been done in
New York-committing wholesale robberies
of the city s revenues. Now, we do not be
lieve the Mayor meant to say that such was
the case. although his message is cited as
authority for others saying so; and the men
who avail themselves of the Mayors au-
thority for denouncing other members of
the city government are most careful to
praise the Mayor for his great honesty.
The Mayor is the most important member
of the city government. He is not only
made by the city charter the chief executive
officer of the city. but he is president of the
legislative council, and, consequently, must
be well posted il regard to all the transac-
tons that are performed by the city govern
ment. II he knew that the city was being
plundered, it was bis duty to have charges
preferred against the guilty parties, who
ever they might be, and the plundering put
a stop to by their removal from office.
This was the true course for the Mayor to
pursue in case there was official dishonesty
among the Administrators. But if there
was Lo official dishonesty, and simply dit
ference OF opinion as to the propriety of
making public improvements and running
the city still further in debt for the same,
or as to what is true economy in the con-
duct Of the government, it seems to US the
matter should have been settled by the
members of the city government them
selves. And in case any Administrator did
NOT feel like continuing member Of the
city government because he could not have
entirely his own way il the conduct of its
affairs, or felt unwilling to yield to the
course pursued by the majority, his best
course would be to resign. BY remaining
i'll the Council and participating in the pro-
ceedings, even though he opposes the meas
ures he considers injurious to'the prosperity
and best interests of the city. he must share
with the other members whatever of glory
or censure attaches to the manner in which
the government has been administered
during their term of office. One thing We
are most confident of, and that is that the |
most rigid economy does not always bring
prosperity.
The miser may hoard his gold without |
the least evidence Of prosperity, while the |
poor, but industrious and enterprising man
may be compelled to run in debt in order
to get fairly started in the world. Seven
teen millions of the accumulated debt of
this city was created before the present
city government was lnaugurated and for
to the present tine, Mayor Flanders ana
the administrators associated with him are
1.-THE city debt has been in
creased several millions since they came
into power, it has been incIeased gradually.
1t has not come suddenly aud unexpected
to the Mayor, for if Mr.. Flanders has been
vigilant and honest, he has not kept his eyes
closed, nor has be suffered d debt to grow
upon the city wrongfully without raising
bis warning voice a. the commencement of
ts growth. Nj. Flanders was appointed
Mayor when the present city char
Ter first went into operation, with full I'M
that retrenchment and reform
were expected TO be the results of tie
abors of the new city government: Every
hing should lave been shaped at It's COM
looking to these results: and
he Mayor, being at the head of the govern
nent. should have made il his business to
zee that :. most stringent system Of economy
vas observed in the organization OF the
'i.tereut departments. He should have set
he example in organizing his own depart
nent, aud insisted on its being followed out
" others. Ii the Mayor has done all of
hese things, and in the face of them the
lcbt of the city has gradually increased
Without having anything to show for it.
hen, indeed, the present administration is ,
failure so far as economy and reform are
Oncerned, and We can not see how the re-
possibility can he shirkeG by any member
ii the city government.
The Mayors message, ii correct estab- I
shes the incompeteney Of the present adj /
Illustration to accomplish what was Il
romised by the adoption Of the new char
ar; and if incorrect, it does great injustice
} the gentlemen who have labored with =
he Mayor for the public good, though diff \
ring with him at times as to the adoption h
measures for public improvements. Til p
lewed more az a vindication of the course
the Mayor than as a friendly statement ! =
} the Council Of errors that have been COM
lifted, and suggestions as to the best man p p
er OF relieving them; and has opened the s.
DOR for outside interference in the shape of b
nblic meetings, which cause more than
ealthy excitement. The meeting on Friday =
sht, though in them main orderly conducted, "
as not without evidence Q: disorder at A
ines, and some of the speakers dealt u
rgely in violent language Fortunately, "
ason and moderation prevailed there, and o.
e hope since the people have taken the 81
after IN hand reason and moderation. Will ii
'ntlnue to control their meetings, Let US -
i've a fair investigation Of what has been -
me since the present city administration OF
me into power, and if it is as bad as Mayor j.,
anders represents it, every member should OF
Wiflinr ~ - ka Iii, f,l1 shove ,f roCnnp,; | VI