New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-12-01

$363, I56; in 1869, $3.50, 2l4; in 1870, 1922,
231; in 1871, 1888, $50; and in 1872, an un
certain sum, probably exceeding 100000.
The facts and data referred to show that
| reform in the administration Of the State
government, q dimiuutio1 Of State taxes,
| debts and expenses and return to honest
economy, interest our people quite as much
as reforms and economy IN our city govern
ment. While we do our part in the great
work of rotrenchpenf, we have right to
! expect and insist thas the members
Of tho General Assembly will prompt.
Iy iln5ind the grievous burdens which
their predecessors have bound upon
the backs Of our citizens. According
TO such plan CT action as may seem to
them appropriate, I presume that the mem
bers Of the board will employ proper means
to assist our Senators ard Representatives
II laying our grievances before the General
! Assembly early IN The session of 1873
! All such citizens IS teel deep interest in the
| welfare OF our city and in the inauguration
! Of reform are invited 10 cooperate with us,
| as individuals or IN associations, by personal
appeals, by memorials, by argument and
remonsrrance, to obtain such prompt and
| efficient legislation as the case demands. If
| our city government SHOULD cost nothing TO
US, and orr city taXes were to cease, yet the
burden now imposed by the State would, if
continued, ruin New Orleans IN few years.
but if still loaded with an enormous State
debt, as well as with q vast city debt, with
two governments to sustain, with TWO heavy
taxes upon all our properly, a two-fold
heavy license upon eli branches of business,
trades aui professions, the load mast soon
become altogether int0lerabIe. Every in
crease Of debt must inTo-ye an increase of
tax, and every new tax FORKS further
depreciation Of property, . further expul-
sion Of capital, q new discnurag cement to
trade, It new stumbling block TO enterprise,
and new incubus upon production and
commerce. As cur public debts increase.
property falls. III tDa donDle debt of New
Orleans equals fourth OF assessed yalua-
ton Of property it ;s equivalent to mort
gage Of one-fourtb OF its value upon every
lot and building. Whoever buys property
here buys with it f share 81 the vast public
debt
At the approaching brief special session
Of our General assembly there may not be
time to introduce, mature and pass the sew
eral bills requisite for tie relief Of New
Orleans but an act 10 repeal all State laws
respec ting the Metropolitan Police would
occupy but 3 snort time, get enable our
Council 30 provide for city police adapted
to our wants and Droportioned to our re-
sources. Such 2 repeal would be most cor
daily welcomed here and it would be
received rs an earnest OF other and greater
measures Of reform To be adopted at tho
regular session. We mag expect with con
tdenco lat members JIogn other parishes
and cities vii eheeltUlIy&i0 in all IegisIa
ton that can relieve the finances build up
the credit, promote the prosperity and
vitaliz8 the commercial resources of choir
great metropolis
From what has been stased as to our @x-
haHsted treasury our hampered resources
and our pressing wants, citizens owing
taxes Will infer thai their pu blic agents will
need ready money uo meet the necessary
current expenses Of the city. I believe that
you are resolved 10 avoid resortng 10 new
loan, and TO Withhold appropriations until
you nave money III 1he treasury 10 pay
Ihem; III mat case you VII nave nothing TO
depend upon OIL. cash receipts DOR taxes
licenses, ana other dues. therefore fe-
spect!u!IJ, ppt earnestly request our fellow
CITIZENS to and u6 ~ the W@lk OF reform ana
pay taelrtaEes without delay, being assured I
that their mon = viii be used only III
expenditures strictly necessary. Their !
contributions will not be applied ~ the !
payment Of any Illegal Or fraudulent claim
nor be sqr"A@ere6 under any pretcxt: but |
they will be di-bursed only as reason and
Justice demand and for the best interests Of !
taxpayers ana the city. We are the agents
Of the people TOR using their money for |
their own good, and ii / rightly interpret |
your sentiments and purposes, we may cor
daily and jointly promise an economical
and judicious disbursement OF all receipts
Let the people, who have imposed upon us
so great trust aud responsibility, bear in
mind that the city treasury IS empty, that |
many of its Resources have been antici-
pated or tied UP, that large sums will soon |
be needed TO meet the interest of the |
funded debt. and that many meritorious |
claimants are eagerly expecting settlement |
l am not now ready to make specific |
recommendations for the Board of Admin /