The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-02-09

surrection, or public danger 1t ought
to be out of the power of any city author
tiles to use their control at such or any
other times, separately or independently
of those of the State, which should have
precedence in enforcing the laws and
maintaining public order. The example
of the past in 1896, and at other times,
and under various administrations, shows
The danger Of permitting any question of
the paramount control Of the State
authorities, when proper occasion arises
for that power to be exercised.
The unsettled floating debt and ap-
pretended deficit will approach two mil
lions of dollars, which the city govern
ment must meet in one or all of three
ways : by retrenchment of all expenses
now within its control, and modifca-
tons Of Legislation, to enable it to curtail
expenditures now out of its control by
the issue of bonds or by increased
taxation.
The bonded debt is now ST., $4,000,
and the taxation is two and five-eights
per cent, both high enough in all con-
science. Bonds of the city of New Or
leans bring but about three-fourths of
their par value, thus, in fact, augment
ing by one-third the debts they are is
sued to pay. Increased taxation on the
other hand is, perhaps. equally serious.
This question had best be left to the
City Council of New Orleans, with the
power to levy tax not exceeding one
per cent, or issue bonds not at present
authorized, not exceeding two million
dollars or to exercise part of each Of
these powers. This will place the res
possibility where it belongs, and the
City Council cannot safely, and will not
probably, act in this matter without full
discussion and concurrence ON the part
Of taxpayers as to what may be the
wiser and better course. game
The city government has now power to
issue bonds for wharf and street improve
ments, power which has been judicious-
ly and sparingly exercised. Relative to
wharves, this was probably the best and
only disposition that could be made I;
but the new charter takes away the power
to require street paving to be paid in
part by the property facing. To attempt
to meet the paving requirements of New
Orleans by issuing bonds would create
an hcrculean debt, and 7 recommend a
return to TIE oil law requiring proprie--
tors to pay their proportion Of the
paving. .e. lng
1t is highly expedieDt AMI proper that
but one treasury should exist for c1,sto-
dy and payment of city OF local funds in
the parish of Or.ccn. It is unnecessary,
mer,l l. On account OF the different pi,r-
pose and Goa,ination Of the various
funds, to multiply treasures. +,
The dedication i'll the metropolitan
Treasury is IN example of the error of SO
doing. I am satisfied that the Police
Treasury, and the fourteen ward schoo,
treasures, should be done away with,
and that all their business should be
performed by the City Treasurer, which
is under proper guards and securities in
the bonds required and in the fiscal
agency regulations, which have been
carefully provided by the experience OF
the past, and are necessary as. o check
and preventive against squandcring and
embezzlement. na 3s.i in
| FINANCES OF THE STATE ona e.
I transmit to you the annual reports
of the Auditor and Treasurer. You will
therein find complete statement of the
financial condition of the State. l can
not too seriously urge your careful con-
sideration of the matters discussed and
the information furnished by these o.
| fcers. go
Our State is not well of, but it is far
from being bankrupt. We are bprdened
with q heavy debt, but we have immense
resources. Our recuperative powers are
perhaps greater than those of any other
1
section of the country; but a spall ffact-
ton Of our rich products-sugar, rice
and cotton--is used in home consump-
ton. The saving-..he wealth of the
State-increases with wonderful rspidty.
Therefore, I am hopeful for the future