The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-12-22
MESSAGE :OF THE MAYOR.
An Interesting Document.

An Interesting DOcuHleuJ'
The following message OF the Mayor to the
City Council submitted yesterday, will be
found of considerable interest:
MAYoBALrY OF New ORLEANS,
City Hail, December q, 1875.
To the City Council of New Orleans:
The time having arrived when you are to
prepare the yearly budget and levy the an
nual tax, | submit for your consideration the
following suggestions thereon:
It is evident to any one at all acquainted
with the pecuniary condition Of this commu-
nity that tax adequate to meet the demands
of the pubic creditor, the requirements OF
the laws in relation to the public schools and
police and the necessary support Of the city
government cannot if levied, be collected
from this impoverished people.
The experience of the past year clearly
demonstrates that unless taxation be reduced
TO an amount which will be within the ability
OF the taxpayers to meet the means necessary
to carry on the functions of government can
not be obtained.
The ability to pay the existing rate of taxa
ton has become each year less and less, indi-
eating thereby that the amount exacted
exceeds tine net revenue Of the community,
deducting the sum necessary for its support.
A portion being thus taken each year from
the accumulations Of more prosperous times,
the capital necessary for reproduction has
been gradually curtailed, and the revenues
theretrom diminished year by year Impera-
tive necessity, therefore, demands relief for
this overtaxed and oppressed people.
La view of which recommend
l. A strict scrutiny of all items of expendi-
ture within your control, with a determine
ton on your part to bring down the expenses
of every department to the lowest possible
point.
Although you have made during the past
year great reductions therein, it is to be
hoped that greater experience in the affairs Of
the city may enable you to make still further
curtailments.
There are many charges imposed upon the
city by State Jaw. which can not be changed ex-
cept by the action of the Legislature, awaiting
which, relief can only be obtained by con-
cent of the parties interested, who may be
i..lduced to relinquish q portion Of what is
now allowed by law in view Of prompt cash
payment. Measures should be taken to that
end, as we'll as to bring to the attention of the
Legislature the needed reforms.
2. The suspension of the tax for the inter-
est on the puolic debt, which Is demanded as
well in the interest of the creditors as of the
citizens, for. it is evident that unless imme-
diate relief be given from the oppressive tax
alton, which is destroying the value OF all
property, and preventing any regeneration
from our present PROSTATE condition, the in
ability of the people must cause eventually,
from utter exhaustion, reputation OF the
debt
3. The Withholding of the taxes for the
public schools and the police until they shall
be placed under the control of the city au-
thorities, SO that the expenditures therefor
can be reduced to the point demanded by the
poverty of our people, and their management
conducted in accordance with the views Of
those by whom they are supported, and for
whose benefit they should be maintained.
Both the schools and police, although mu
nicipal institute ns, are by existing laws IN
der the control of the State authorities; they
are managed with 10 regard to the sentiments
or interests Of the citizens who have been
taxed for their support, and | can not deem 8
law constitut onal which would compel you
to levy q tax for them, contrary to the we'll
known wishes OF your constituents.
Indeed, law which demands the levy o.
such tax seems to me not only gross usur.
patton, but violaive of the great American
right of local self-government
rive omit here an extract from the cele
brated opinion Of Judge Cooley, of Michigan
relating to the powers of the Legislature Owe
municipal corporations.
If these views be correct it is incumben
upon you, as the agents of this people, to us
every means in your power to protect then
against this great violation OF their rights
Should these taxes be levied by you, whethe
by your own option or at the demand OF tn
law, it is likely to be construed both by tn
courts and the people as your own act.
Ii, however, the School Board and tn
Police Board, two irresponsible bodies no
chosen by the people or their representatives
are empowered to compel you to levy take
not deemed by you in accordance with tn
wishes or the best interests OF your constl
tuents, thus virtually investing them with tn
prerogative of taxing those whom they DO nc
represent, in violation OF the sound MAXI
no taxation without repres entation, you
refusal to be the unresisting agents OF mus
tice will throw the responsibility OF this grea
wrong upon those who should bear 1t, and tn
people, informed of the true cause OF the
grievance, will be the better able to apply tn
proper remedy.
The expenditures of these two Department.
whose management Is so unsatisfactory
the large majority Of our citizens, now 81
coed ST 100000 per annum, an amount, ]
nv opinion, S400,O 600 or $500, 900 in excess
what they should be in our impoverished col
dition. This great extravaganza SO destructl'
of the prosperity of the city, and so uuJnst
the public creditor whose claims are pos
Doned on account OF the public necessity, an
whose interests mus. be seriously injured
any unnecessary outlay, indicates how da
gerous it is to violate the fundamental prime
ples Of government, and demonstrates Il
necessity of preserving to the people tt
management OF their own local affairs, al
the choice of their local officers.
Your fellow-citizens naturally look to 20
their chosen representatives, to preserve
them the living spirit Of the American 81
tenn of constitutional freedom, the sacr'
right Of local self-government. ieei
sured that YOU will not disappoint these e
pectations. but that you will, to the utmost
your ability, oppose every encroachment up
their rights. CHARLES ). LEEDS MAYOR
New Orleans, st. Louis and Chicago a.
Mississippi Central railroads burn st. berna