New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-13
SOME PROSPECTIVE EXPENSES.

Perhaps we shall be able to pull through
the winter after fashion, but we notice
there is good deal of work cut out for US.
in addition to the support Of churches,
the various institutions and asylums for
the poor-whom We always have with Us
the State and city governments, and other
things deemed indispensable, there is a
promise Of unusual extravaganza in the
way OF amusements. The opera, which
the people have too much pride to suffer
to fail, will demand from half to three
quarters of a million Of dollars, to say
nothing Of contingent expenses for car
rage hire, expensive toilets and cham
payne lunches. Then the three large
theatres demand their share, while the
Louisiana Jockey Club is to come out very
strong. The races in December will be
followed later in the season by the Gus
tomary horse racing under the auspices Of
the Mechanical and Agricultural Fair
Association, which is one of the most ex-
pensive and tiresome Of the numerous
so-called amusements that ever afflicted
any community. The Mystic krewe, the
Twelfth Night RevelerF, the fremen and
the several social organizations and clubs,
are making the usual preparations for
snowy professions and balls, while ''Rex''
IS organizing and planning for fools
parade that will cost about one hundred
thousand dollars. Among the lesser items
Of the estimate is the peoples Conven-
ton, called by the Committee of Seventy,
which will result in bringing several
hundred people here from the country to
be maintained at the cost of our 'Impoy-
erished community"
Now, if some way could be devised to
relieve us Of a portion, at least, Of these
burdens, it might result in our having a
little more ready money to be employed in
legitimate business. While we freely
concede the right of everybody to spend
his money according to his own fancy, we
hold that duty has the first claim. He
who has just paid a subscription Of five
hundred dollars to Rex or King Comus
or the Committee Of Seventy, ought not
to meet the State or city tax collector
with whine and profess that he is ruined
by taxes Some Of our people have great
habit of making scape goat OF duty
while they never think of attempting to
save by looping Oft their unnecessary expen-
ses. Money spent for idle amusements
should represent the surplus, not the
needed capital of the community. But
this rule is not observed here very strictly.
Those who make a profit out Of mas
querading manage the business so adroitly
that the weak minded aspirant for social
recognition or distinction is made to be-
lieve that he can only succeed by nearly
running himself in his outlay for cheap
tinsel and patronizing all the balls, clubs,
parades, etc, and coming down literally
when subscriptions for ''patriotic pur-
poses are called for. It is thought tc be
mean to complain Of the loss Of money
voluntarily given up, but the victims
can take it out on the taxes to their hearts
content Now if We can, rescue ever 50
few Of the people from the thraldom Of
custom, if we can save them from the
clutches OF those who have designs upon
their purses to sustain vain shows and
empty pageants, We shall he thankful for
so little. The REPUBLICAN, does not ex-
pect to work any miracles, but we indulge
a reasonable hope that few may be per-
suaded to exercise some little control
over their expenditures without caring
what their friends, who are depending
upon their liberal subscriptions for sup
port, may think Of such parsimony.