New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-05-23
THE STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENTS.

THE STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENT
1t was an ancient belief that the alder
s man was very fat, the burgomaste
especially stupid, and Martinus ScribIeru
!. has left it of record that it was impossibl
to entertain an abstract idea Of lor'
: mayor apart from his gold chain, hi
furred gown and coach and six.
, In those days the men chosen 10 ad
: minister municipal government were Sc
lected for their integrity alone, and a
their duties were simple the intelligence
required for their performance was com
paratively small.
IN the movement Of progress tie scOp.
Of a municipal government has beer
= greatly extended. 1t now creates public
credit, builds railroads to connect OF tt
compete with other interests. 1t becomes
also political agency, and is seized on
by parties as magazine OF patronage and
an asylum for demoralized industry. In
this las. capacity new sources of expendi-
ture must be provided for 10y enlarged
revenues The lamp OF credit is rubbed,
new bonds are issued, and the results are
squandered with al the profusioL G. po-
liticai profligacy.
We do not pretend to say tina; or cities
| take upon themselves mere responsible
ties Or assume higher powers than Car
thage or the Hanse towns Of later date.
| Each Of those cities was q State, and its
affairs We're administered with the talent
required by State. It would follow that
while the stupid alderman was well
enough fitted for the duties Of the borough
which laughed at and elected him, the
administration OF an American city now
requires far higher class of men, both
in character and capacity, than in the
days Of our ancestors.
We can mean no personal disrespect to
the present incumbcnts of our municipal
government II we say they are the average
equals OF many predecessors in office.
While the duties of municipal admins
tratlon have become moro difficult, the |
mode OF choice remains the same. Ward |
politicians nominate candidates for the |
several departments. The nominees may
have been violent partisans, who will |
provide for their supporters, or well mean
ing and well to do men who have pursued |
some gainful trade with the respect and
good will Of their neighbors, when such
gentlemen come into office and find the
empty Golfers and unpaid bills of their
they find cast upon
hem the deferred obligations aud ex-
lausted resources Of the government thus
urned over to them, it would require
minister's OF superior ability and credit
o meet and assume the situation.
Does he never reflect what is to govern
he city? The Governor CT the State was
united for his official skin. lie was
harged with causing all the municipal
Misfortune. Yet the State debt, reduced
nder his administration, is q little more
han half that Of the city. The revenues
nd expenditures OF the State govern
lent are but about one-fourth those, re-
pectively, OF the city. The power of the
tate government consists in appointing S
Ulcers, without much opportunity CT c
ront or patronage; that Of the city ad-
controls not Only salaries a
ad perquisites Of Office, in the same pro 4
ortion with its expenditures, but con- n
acts of construction and leaseholds in y
Diving millions
Is It,. then, a startling proposition that I
lie Mayor of the city Of New Orleans and e
S administrative associates require as 0
UGH ability and experience as the Gov Il
nor Of the State and his official assist b
ITS? 1t is true. The government of the b
ty OF New Orleans costs more, and its O.
tiles require mere administrative re- s;
URGE, than is needed in a State admins 81
ration which must be directed by special P
ltutes entirely. II
1t is to be hoped that with the exigencies a,
lich have befallen our city, the voters .,
II recognize the truth that such city o,
snch condition OF financial and COM ri
'rcial embarrassment requires men of til
more than average capacity to extri- Sc
.e it, ~,