New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-02

departing OOuACA PsAoAA6 '
their official effects to induct their sue
cessors into Office. s.They kissed, shook
hands and embraced each other and were
bitter enemies ever after, says the Spect O.
tor of two young ladies reconciled by thu
Intervention of mutual friends. The
formal escort of the new incumbents by
the decentralization was particularly I'M
pressiye. The Mayor and ex-Mayo'
walked arm in arm, followed each by his
official staff 1t looked a little like con
querors and captives, and the dramatic
smile of the departing officers could have
been no expression of the humiliation In
separable from such q defeat. why
should this not be so? The administra-
ton of Mr.. Wilt is of the same polltl cs
with its successors. Why was not one Of
them renominated by their party? Why
have they been swept out with all then
official following? The inference is inevl-
table. They were not, in the opinion OF
their party, indefensible. 1t is in vain'
therefore, to say that men calling them
selves Democrats are any more exempt
from fault or blame than if they bore any
other political designation.
Nor are we left without record eviden &c
that the retiring administration has fallen
under the reproach even OF its friends
No sooner had the ceremonial OF depart
ure and possession taken place than the
new administration proceeded to make
minute inventory of the state IN which
they found the official premises. In doing
so they found them in very bad repair,
and the publication demonstrates the in
capacity of the late administration, as we
propose subsequently to show.
The message of Mayor Leeds admits
very general causes Of embarrassment:
We assume control under circumstances
of the most embarrassing nature. This
community, once 50 prosperous, mas, Oy
years of misgOyernment and oppression,
been brought to the verge OF bankruptcy.
The Administrator OF Finance, however,
files bill of particulars, which duplicates
the late administration for an especial
share of responsibility, and holds them
responsible as having known their mas
ters' will, and did it not:
Surrounded on all sides by embarrass-
ments of no ordinary character; with EN-.
ployes material, men and labOrers unpaid
for a series Of nlOnths-the fire department
reduced almost to a condition OF bank
ruDtcy and disruptiOn-witht the threatened
extin guishment Of the city lights-and with
every other creditor of the city reduced to
want.
The depreciation of the city obligations
can not be attributed to past failure to
meet its interest payments as they have
heretofore been able to provide for them.
A vicious credit system forces the city 10
nav exOrbitant prices tor everything re-
uuired for it's use, has greatly aided the
rapid increase of our burdens.
The ex-Administrators can not have had
as much ability as their successors, OF
they have been wanting in those high
qualities which their successors possess.
In either case there is positive charge Of
incapacity. Employees unpaid, material
purchased at exorbitant prices, the fire
department bankrupt, the street lights
threatened with extinguishment; all these
Imply official incapacity, because it is at
firmed that the new corners can. by doing
what their predecessors did not do, repair
these disasters. The plan proposed by
the finance committee is to collect back
taxes rigidly and to find out at this late
day what John Randolph, half century
since, announced as the philosopher
stone, "Pay as you Co." The word now
is to settle up.
The question must be fairly and squareiy
met.
We are, therefore, compelled to solicit
payments by all the means IN our power.
In the present crisis we can no Longer
extend indulgence to the debtors OF the
city.
This, at least, is plain rebuke to the
past Council and positive notice to the
tax resisters and delinquents.
The Mayor, however, takes the some
what different view of the cause of corpo
rate embarrassment. He says:
This community, once so prosperous, has
by years Of misgovernment and oppression
been brought to the verge OF bankruptcy
And adds that this has been caused by
legislation which has taken from the
Council the control Of city affairs. This
with personal respect to the Mayor, is {
political dodge; it is an attempt to throw
upon the Republican State administration
responsibilities which We have shown
originated in municipal mismanagement
What is the city debt? $4,000, 600
What is there to show for it Is there
any Investment which produces interest
None whatever. This debt is the accu
mulated extravaganza and improvidenc'
of a quarter OF century. The outgoing
administration has added its item. Thi
floating and unpaid debt impending owe
the new administration must be met or
funded. The Bee began the apology tina
the embarrassment of the city treasur.
commenced with the police organization
We believe every one has agreed that tn
police as standing army is by no mean
success. But every one also admit
that some police is necessary. Whateve
excess the present system may have cos
over proper appropriation is a!egitimat
economy. but this excess can not reliev
the burdens Of which Mr.. Leeds com
plains. MIR. Wilt has also filed the sam
excuse for the deficiencies reported b,
the Same committee. He says to hi