New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-19
A PEEP INTO The CHAsM.

IN face ,he necessities of the budget for
| 1873 such "a il might be made up under
| the laws now in force, city tax OF tour per
cent would not be too much to meet u.
This is an astonishing confession. 1t is
one which if made by and Of g Eepub-
lican administration would be headlined
! with notes Of admiration and e1ecration.
We have shown that this city debt. with
| its system Of administrative expenses has
been chiefly made by Democratic admir-
;strations. and the Democratic city gov
eminent which imposes twice the weight
of taxes that the Republican State govern
mens does is about to pass anew INTO
Democratic hands.
What then can impose tie awful "a. OF
four per cent upon tie people and prop
erty of New Orleans? We have had mys-
ferrous givings out Of floating DEBT
estimated at four or Eve millions. This
is represented by warrants OF certified
accounts, and while it can not be funded
may be absorbed in payment Of city rev.
enues. The deficiency thus occasioned
might be made good by increased taxa
ton. and in this way only can any neces-
sity for such a maximum as four per cent
become necessary.
The Bee approaches the brink OF this
financial creyasse. but returns without
any practical proposition to arrest or close
it. It descants upon the immense advan.
tages Of reduced taxation to proprietors.
and incidentally to house painters. GLACIERS
and paper hangers. 1t apologies in adj
vance for the incoming city administra'
ton by saying that the best disposed off,
GERS can do no more than economist its
expenses. but must be powe1less to effect
material reform without the repeal OK
amendment Of existing laws.
The suggestion is then offered that all
taxation for city purposes should be linn
tied to one and a half per cen: on actual
values assessed. Let Us see how this
would meet the obligations Of the city and
expenditures: Assuming the schedule ct
receipts and expenditures for 1873 as ap-
proximate, let US see how the budget Of the
Bee will apply. The total receipts Of the
city were in 1873 s4,753.s9s 43: the total
s4.71s.O60 p. Such then
was the amount collected from all sources.
but with tax Of three per cen: ad valorem
on assessed values. Ofthis sum expended
there was s1.424.950 80 on account OF in
teress on the funded Indebtedness Of the
city (s22, 245. e63 61.) The Bee proposes
to raise this amount Of nearly s5,0o0.O 900
expenditure by tax Of one and half
per cent. added OF course to the other
resources Of license. markets. back taxes.
courts. railroads. etc.
live put tax Of one and a half per
cent on the assessment Of 1879. say
1920, 600, 900. it will produce $500. 600.
This will leave from this source $780,
0l9 16 applicable to the city expenses
proper. Add to this the usual and prob
able receipts from other sources specified.
and there must be large deficit. These
it will be difficult to reduce
within the probable resources. There
are certain departments Of expenditures
which, having been under the control ct
it is thought may be greatly
reduced. The police expense may be cut
down, yet we apprehena that the Police
Board under the new regime will scarcely
dispense with many Of its number. But
after all it must have some police, SO that
rery little economy can be Elected in that
department. The public school system
costs the city about s35o,ooo annually.
We scarcely apprehend any attack upon
an institution so essential to the moral
welfare OF a people. 1t will be the same
case with our charities. courts Of justice !
and other principal charges.
It has been long obvious 70 those who
have had the courage 70 gaze into the
chasm that yawns before US. tha. some. !
thing far more radica! will become neces.
sary than q mere limitation o: the tax OH
values.
Our friends Of the Zee vii! find, we ap. |
prehend. that the real piece de res:s!ance--
as we believe they would call it's the !
debt of 500, 245.6 81 for which the city
is bound. with the interest thereon &C.
eruing. Now this debt is. as We have
shown. compounded Of many years de. !
iciencies. It is sort Of fiscal pudding.
stone or corglomerates: the obstinate |
concrete Of extravaganza. soidered and
,emented by corporate corruption. We
have shown that it has little. if any. pro. |
luctive value. 1t gives us 10 aid in I
meeting its obligations. This is the real
rock that must be blasted from our
financial channel. 1: is very obstinate |
It has passed aimcs: ex.
into foreign hands. When they
sever their coupons and presen: them at |
the city treasury, it will be wholly
to read the holders a
chapter from the Bee on carpet
baggers and Radical corruption. The re-
ply will be. 81 want my money" It
would be in vain to beat the reveille and
summon the cohorts of Democracy. This !
creditor would stand unmoyed amid the |
raking fire of drums and excavations. If !
he be triumphantly told that arrange.
ments have been perfected 20 drive out !
and keep out Of the State every person
SUSPECTED of BEING n Renuflican with ell |