New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-01

Council, ana eoCfeG meetings. IN OOmmltCee
of the whole avoided. Our constituents
have determined their representatives in
their legislation.
call your attention 20 q sale to be made
in a few days. which will dispose Of the
right of the city to the batture and future
accretions. 1t will be well to ascertain at
once what are the interests of the city in
this matter, as immediate action will be re.
quired. if you deem it advisable to preserye
this right.
Fully relying upon the good will and
hearty support Of our constituents, let US
enter upon the work before US with de-
termination to overcome the difficulties of
the situation, recognizing the fact that,
though we may be unable to bring the re.
quired relief to our overburdened citizens.
much may be done - alleviate their con.
dition BY an honest. energetic and economi.
Cal administration OF their affairs. :.
In conclusion. gentlemen, / would ask
yonr kind assistance in the difficult position
! to which have been called by the Partially
- ~ C.J.LEEDs. Mayor.
New Orleans. November 80. 1874.
On motion Of Mr.. Pilsburv. unanimously
adopted. a committee Of three was ordered
to prepare an address to the taxpayers OF
the city. and the chair appointed Messrs.
Pilstury, Landry and Burke.
The committee retired to perform it's dn,y,
and, upon returning. Mr.. Pilsbury reported
the following address. which, ON motion OF
Mr.. Bertoii, was adopted without dissent,
and was ordered TO be inserted IN the min.
utes:
To the Taxnaye,s and Citizens Of New Orleans:
Fellow .citizens-In obedience to your
voice, SO enphatically expressed at the
polls on the second instant, we assume
control Of the city administration.
Surrounded on all sides by embarrass.
meuts o, no ordinary character; with EN-.
p!oyes, material. men and iaborers unpaid
for a series Of months. the fire department
reduced almost to a condition Of bankruptcy
and disrupsion--with the threatened extin-
punishment of the city !ights-and with every
other creditor of the city reduced to want.
we deem it not unbecOmipg to appeal to vol,
for that moral and pecuniary support, with
out which all our efforts to meet these de-
mands, and restore the credit OF the city
will avail nothing.
The depreciation Of the city obligations
can not be attributed to past failure to meet
its interest payments as they have hereto
fore been able to provide for them. a
vicious credit system forces the city to pay
exorbitant prices for everything required
for it's use, has greatly aided the rapid in.
crease Of our burdens. We shall therefore
insist upon conforming the administration
of city affairs strictly to our ability to pay,
from actual cash receipts.
Over three millions OF taxes Of Che years
from 1864 to date. to say nothing of preced.
ing years. are long past due. fair pro.
portion OF this amount promptly paid in
will enable us to clear the docket and start
the machinery o: the city government on
sound basis.
We can not escape the consequence of debt
The power and resources OF the creditor to
enforce are greater than the ability OF the
debtor to resist, and any further delay in
the payment of taxes will subject your
property to risks and hazards greatly be.
yond the temporary Inconvenience OF a
settlement now. The question must be
fairly and squarefy met. The business OF
the city can not be conducted without relief
from you, and any interruption OF its oper.
atoms would entail greater evils'than those
we now endure. We are, therefore. com.
PEELED to solicit payments by al! the means
in our power.
We regret that there may be Individual
cases OF hardship, but in the present csisis
we can no longer extend indulgence to the
debtors ct the city without great peril to
the interests of the property holders and
residents. that would surely follow the
suspension of the departments that are
requisite for the protection Of sour lives
and property.
We appeal to sou, therefore. for q prompt
and cheerful acquiescence in this our
request. pIedgng ourselves to an honest
and impartial administration of your
affairs. under greatly decreased expendi.
sure, and to be still more reduced by meas
ures of relief We hope soon to realize.
While we are compelled to frame a
budget. and to levy tax. according to the
existing laws. We have every reason to
hope that such legislative relief will SOD
be afforded as to enable US to modify our
estimates. and thus to tighten to tina: ex.
tent the heavy burdens now pressing upon
us. Respectfully submitted.
L. pILSBCRT,
Chairman;
l. \. BURKE.
j. 9. LANDRY.
On motion OF Mr.. Burke the Council then
adjourned. 70 meet Tomorrow tuesday At
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