New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-18


than that of last year." The Mayor here
conveys the positive information that a
Republican administration, looking to re-
trenchment. made the budget Of the pres
ent year si,25O,OO0 less than it was the
year before: and he further says that. un-
der the charter, it cannot be changed by
the present city government. leaving the
impression that there is a disposition on
the par: of some to do this.
And now let US see where tie partisan
rress gets its inspiration and cause for
| extolling our presen: very worthy city
Administrators. large majority Of whom.
| it is claimed, are Democratic. at the ex-
| pense o. their predecessors. who We're Re-
publicaus. How has the very large
amount as claimed, been saved to the
city during the six months just passed
Has it been by looping off Of al! sine
cures. and reduction of high salaries ?
Well, let Us see what has been done in
this respect.
According to the Mayors message
there has actually been SIS. 1873 80 saved
by q reduction Of salaries. etc. and it is
accounted fox in this way: In the Depart
ment Q: Commerce the amount paid for
salaries for the six months ending June
80. 1873. was S13,5l2. agains:
$50, 800 for the same time in 1872.
making saving of S6t9l ii. The ex-
peuditures tor salaries III the De-
partment Of Improvements proper for the
last six months are stated to be $1,000.
against S2500 for the same time in 1872 -
saving otos50O In the Department Of
Waterworks and Public Buildings proper
the amount expended for salaries for the
last six months is stated to be S2237 70.
against $23S6 20 for the same time last
year-a saving of sl4S so. In the De-
partment of Public Accounts the expense
of salaries for the las. six months has
been S1O,7 755 10. against S15.lG5 3S for
the same time in lS72-a saving Of
S44l0 %. IL the Department OF Finance
the expenditures tor salaries for the past
six months is put down at $4,000 %.
against S1l.51G IS for the same time in
IS72-an increase Of S2554 30. In the
Department Of Assessments the amount
paid for salaries for the past six months is
SlG,269 80. against S19,90i 4? for the
same period in 1S72-a saving of 1869 80.
In the Police Department proper the
salaries fox the past six months have
amounted to S2032 10. but as the cost for
salaries ia this department for the same
time in 1872 is not given in the Mayors
message. We are not able to say now that
there has been any saving here by the
present Administrator Of Police over his
predecessor. In the Mayors Office, City
Council and City Hall like creditable
condition of expenditures for salaries is
shown. The expenses Of these depart
ments fox the past six months are placed
at S9252 80. against S9647 80 expended
during the same time in 1S12-a saving OF
1894 80.
The public. from this showing Of the
Mayor, can see that there has actually
been sIS,l3o 50 saved to the city by a
reduction of salaries, etc. but as this is
but very small! portion Of what is claimed
to have been saved-over q half million
of dollars-iu six months by the city ad-
ministration, We may well suppose that
whatever else has been saved has been at
the sad expense Of stopping work on
public improvements. If there is any
credit TO be derived from this very ques-
tonab,e kind OF saci,J we are willing that
partisan press should bestow it On
whomsoever it may belc.s. A city Ike
New Orleans can not afford to neglec. its
streets and the prosecution Of other works
looking to the preservation OF health and
the protection Of its inhabitants from in
undation. The condition of one OF our
principal and most beautiful thorough
fares-St Charles strcet-connecting us
with Carrollton. and afording the most
elegant drive to and from the city We
have, stands monument Of shame to that
policy Of city government that sees no
better way to retrench than that Of letting
things come 20 a stand still.