New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-02
THE CITIZENS, MEETING.
The Reform Movement,

The Reform Movement.
There was full meeting of citizens las,
night in the hall Of the House of Represent
atives at Mechanics Institute. to take into
consideration the condition of city affairs.
Judge j. N. Lea was called to the chair
He read a formidable list of vice pres
dents, who took their seats on the platform
Judge Lea stated the objects OF the meet
ing, and spoke of the extravaganza OF the
city administration. In support of his
general charges, he read extracts from the
last message of Mayor Flanders as proofs
undeniable.
Judge Lea said that a man who owned a
house and lot did not, in fact. own it. but
he in fact possessed something that was the
representation of so much debt.
General Gibson arose and said he had
been requested by the Citizens Association
to read the letter from the Mayor Offering
every facility to the association for the pur-
pose of investigating the city affairs He
went on to enumerate the items of indie te1
ness, which made the debt of the city :225-
1000. He spoke of the park tax of $50, Ooo,
and of the beautiful park seen dimlv in the
distant future, with its splendid drives,
| fountains and green cascades as they are to
| be in the hereafter. Applause and
laughter.]
An excitable stranger, after an unneces-
sary rigmarOle. read his proposed remedy.
First present the case to a court Of com.
petent jurisdiction. and have a receiver ap-
pointed to take charge of the city s affairs !;
open book at the Cotton Exchange for
persons to sign who are willing to be secur-
ties for the receiver. He proposed also that
no person should be appointed 10 office who
had been unfalthful in a public trust
The gentleman's remarks were received
with applause.
Mr.. Christian Roselius next addressed
the meeting. He stated it TO be a fact that
the debt Of the city was So, coo, 900, and it
must be paid. The question was. how 10
pay it, 1t must be funded, so tLat two and
half per cent of the capital be paid every
year. In this way the burden might be
considerably reduced. He was for paving
the debt in full.
Mr.. John II. kennard then spoke. and
offered the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, The grave condition of the
finances of the city OF New Orleans threatens
the most serious consequences 20 the com
mercial prosperity of the city: and
Whereas. 1t is alike the right and tie
duty of taxpayers to investigate the causes
of such embarrassments. and 10 provide the
means for improving tier future condi-
ton: and
Whereas, The Mayer Of New Orleans has
indicated his willingness to AID any and all
Investigations of the acts OF the existing
authorities: be it
Resolced. |. That henceforth. regardless
of all party ties, the lncumhents of all Offices
shall be held to the strictest accountability:
that without capacity and int gritty as es-
sen;ial qualifications, no man should be
elevated to position OF public trust. or
permitted to retain such poStion that the
slavery of excessive taXarlon which daily
grows more insupportable in Ills city.
caused in large measure by reckless eX-
travagance OF our authorities for years past
positively demands of every good citizen
unceasing efforts and vigilance to restore
our lost prosperity.
,. That it is the sense of this meeting
that, under existing circumstances, the city
government should assume 10 obligations
which can not be met by the present tax
laws.
3. That it is unnecessary and unwise. at
this time. to inaugurate improvements which
will compel an increase of debt or taxation
4. That the best Interests Of the city will
be served by making our commerce as free
as possible, and to this end, all license laws
and onerous port charges should he abol-
ished at the earliest possible moment .iusti-
fed by expediency, and that the ilnme
date abolition Of all licenses which de-
press or discourage labor, and all licenses |
tor small dealers, traGesmcn and mechanics !
is highly expedient.
5. That all laws which impose the oblga-
ton of paying debts upon the city. and at |
the same time deny the right to decide the |
necessity Of such ontlays, should be |
repealed; and that the committee |
to be appointed by this meeting shall wait |
upon the General Assembly of Louisiana. |
after its meeting in January |
next, and urge said repeals i'll the name OF |
the people Of New Orleans. /
6. That the chairman of this meeting be |
authorized to appoint committee OF fifty |
citizens, who shall have plenary powers to
investi gate the affairs of the city govern
ment, to appoint subcommittee, tn till |
vacancies in their committee, and to do. i'll
the name and on behalf OF this meeting of |
citizens, whatever in their opinion is neces-
sary and in their power to reform existing
abuses. and to bring to justice any agent OF
llc people VIII LdN Z dpuHtu VI NE
trayed his trust; and that said committee
shall report to the people whenever call, d
lpon by the president OF this meeting.
The resolutions We're adopted unani-
nously.
Colonel Carter Speaker of the House Of
being called on, made a
speech stating that he was in favor of re-
orm, both economic and political, and sug
,ested that if adequate remedies should be
he should do all in lis power as
legislator to see that they were carried out.
Judge Alexander Walker then made a
peech denouncing the rings which have
obbed the city for their own private emolu-
nent. He was emphaticaIly down on
verytling of the sort.
Governor Warmoth being loudly called
Or, made his appearance and was received
nth distinguished marks of applause. He
bought that nothing was gained by de-
ouncing the city Administrators. He be-
eyed them to be honorable men. He was
! favor of retrenchment and reform and !
-ould recommend that the Legislature
ass such laws as would meet the ext
ency.
The meeting then adjourned.