The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-11-22
HOW TO ECONOMIC.

The Administrator of Accounts, in his re-
port of June 3Oth last fixes the total debt at
500, 245, G63 81, and the total amount Of inter-
est due in 1874 at 81, 424, $50 so.
The new City Administrators 60 into Office
with the above figures to manage. The debt
is large, and the annual interest is great
burden It must be met, or else reputation
follows
Economy, ret-enchment and reform must be
adopted in every department Of the city gov
eminent. Mr.. Calhouns summary OF cash
receipts for the six months ending June 30, is
s.. 71O.O11 A, and expenditures to same date
at 50, 647, 1856 81. Cannot these expenditures
be reduced?
We now take up but one item, to wit the
costs of assessments. The Department Of
Assessments, fer clerks, costs the city $40, $50
and with the salary OF the Administrator,
$4,000, cost $55,3S0. There are thirty clerks.
The number and salaries were fixed by ordi
nance passed in May, 1870, by the Admins
traitors appointed by the Radical Governor.
The cost Of assessments can and should be
reduced
We have the expense OF assessments for q
series Of years, commencing in 1856. In this
year the cost for State and city was $4,000;
from 1857 to 1865, $4,000; from 1870 to the
present time, abou. $4,000 The approsri-
alton by the State this year is S125,O00.
It must be evident that but one assessment
is necessary. There is no necessity for two
e. - Cka<o NJ f,r{ IVA c,tx
One and the same assessment for State and
city should be made.
Ii the expense cannot be reduced to SIG, co.,
the figures in 1856, will not $4,000 answer?
What was we'll done for $4,000 in 1885, we
think can be done in 1874 and 1875, or to be
more liberal, for $47,O 900. Half of the amount
paid by the State would reduce, very much,
the expense of the city in this one item, and
would save 500, 600 to the State.
Our suggestion is to have but one board of
assessors, for State and city, to consist Of not
over five, appointed from the paoperty hold
ers. A salary Of $4,000 each would be ample
Clerk hire and Office expenses not to exceed
S25, 900. Is not this amount sufficient?
1t has been the object of the Radicals in this
State to increase the number Of Offices, and
make place for carpet-bsggers, a class Of men |
who the Republican,, in a recent article, de- |
scribed as not being able to succeed in mer-
camille and mechanical pursuits, and from
necessity, to earn support, were forced into |
the political arena. From this class Of place
men we beg to be released. The people of |
this and all the States, in recent elections, ex-
pressed their adherence OF Radicalism and OF |
its supporters.
We are earnest and sincere in the advocacy
Of economy and reform, and the Conservative
Democratic party must enforce the dogma Of
reform. There must be no useless places for
hungry aspirants, and because Radicalism has
multiplied places Of profit to support carpet
baggers, We must see that no man, however
great his deserts, secures place which can be
dispensed with.
The Legislature can frame law upon this
subject, which will simplify assessments, and
1t rate which will diminish the expense and
ave to the State and city s125. 900 per an
nnm. The experience Of the past proves this.
AiA OooSCAN0eAN A-oS1oAaeuiC uSClSs Tic |
new administrators should proceed to the re-
luction of all expenses not clearly necessary;
should reduce both the salaries and number
If employees. With strict economy, careful
pruning, stopping all leaks, we believe the
,redit of the city can be restored; the debt
the interest be punctually paid, and
ash payments in a short time be resumed.
)ne-half of all the expenditures Of the city,
or all purposes, other than the payment Of
interest, could be saved, by substituting cash
or warrants.
We propose to call attention to other mat
ers, from time to time, to show how and
where economy can be introduced; and we
hall hold the party soon, we hope, to be in
power, to the dogmas of economy, retrench-
nent and reform. To prove our earnestness,
We have already pronounced in favor of le.-
ing out contracts for public printing to the :
owest bidder. Can any one tell how much
costs the people, by outrageous printing
70 <ha Grlo d. |