The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-27

L n
cut OF the Park fund.
In conveying the property to themselve
as Park Commissioners, they took mort
gage for the unpaid portion of the price
not only on the property which they ha'
conveyed, but made the mortgage covers
in addition to this property, the prop
erty of the Metare Ridge, which had been
park for some time, and which up to tina
} time was free of encumb rance. It is usual il
sales Of real estate in this locality when
vendor obtains q cash payment for him to b.
satisfied with securing the balance Of TIL
payment by a mortgage on the property sold
But 50 wei satisfied were these gentlemen
{ that the property they were conveying to the
Park Board was not worth the amount which
they were receiving for it that they were not
content with the mortgage upon that prop
erty alone, but exteRded the mortgage to al
other property Of the public not then mort
gagged. That the whole affair was a cheat and
swndle, no man that has studied the ques-
ton can for nom mt doubt.
The fact however, that the scheme origi-
mated in fraud and rascality should not
cause us in haste to pass bill which would
lose to the public any of the advantages they
have thus far gained 1t appears from the
report of the Park Commissioners this year.
that the people of New Orleans have been
taxed and payments this property have
! been made to the amount of more than half d
| million dollars, and, IN my opinion, being Il
taxpayer Of the city of New Orleans myself,
it would be better for the people to continue
| to pay this tax few years longer, and thus
secure a title to the property than, by d
stoppage of the tax at this time to cause the
property to be sold by the Sheriff under ex-
ecutory process, and thus lose all that has
been paid upon if. That the city Of New Or
rl- I'D, Of
Public parks are considered in this age and
country to be a public necessity. and the
beauties and splendor of Central Park, New
York, and Prospect Park, in Brooklyn. have
created a taste and demand for parks all over
this country.
The people Of st. Louis have recently made
a large and handsome park for their city, and
the enterprising people OF Chicago are dis
playing their taste and spending their money
in the establishment of Lincoln Park and
the grand boulevard around the city,
New Orleans more than any other city in
the Union, needs park. There is a large
poor population here that cannot leave the
city III the sultry summer months. The heat
amid the brick walls of the city and the ener-
waiting influence of our hot summer weather
render it extremely important that our
people, who are not possessed of large gar
dens and open spaces OF ground, that some
public park should exist, where they may go
and enjoy the fresh air. We are capable of
making park in this latitude and on this |
soil more beautiful and attractive than any
park in any other portion OF this country
north of here. Ia our latitude trees, shrubs |
and rose-bushes can be planted that would |
bear leaves and flowers all the year round |
And people from the North, who come here
in such large numbers, could see in this city
gardens that are green and howery the whole
winter.
A park made up of evergreens would be a
sight to our felow-citizens from
the North, well as a place Of resort for our
own people.
Considering all these matters, think it
you'd be poor policy for the Legislature at
his day to stop the park tax. It would be
cry much like man who had paid about
$1,000 on piece Of property which cost
10000, and who would abandon the
property, because it would be little incon-
enient to raise the other $1,000 Such pol
~, it strikes me, would be suicidal. be- ;
eve the taxpayers, although grcaning under
he weight OF heavy and oppressive taxa Z
on, are not willing to abandon all idea of
aving "A park, and ARE willing to bear the I
urdens little while longer to secure per-
ect title to the park property and to have the
rounds properly improved and embellshed.
Every man, with one exception, believe, {
the Park Commissioners appointed by Gov.
'armoth ara now out of power Among the
lembers of the board at this time are James
owls, late Administrator OF Improvements of
le city of New Orleans, and Mr. Joseph H.
5lesby, than whom more honest and cor :
;ct man does not live in the city. | am,
lerefore, decidedly Of the opinion that with !
lch men on the board there will be no more j
yindles and stealages, and, therefore, hope |
lat the bill offered by the gentleman from =
will not pass. J
Levisee wanted to know if the tax was dis G
'ntnued would the city lose the property. ,
Hahn replied that mortgage notes were fall =
Z due every year, and ii there was a failure y
meet one, the mortgage would be fore =
OSed N
Drury said that he agreed with the gentle \
an III some respects +
1t was true that five hundred and eighty j.
ousand dollars had been paid and that there Z
IS still four hundred and fifty thous and dol /
rs still due; thus far he agreed with them, NJ
1t he could not agree in their conclusions.
o thought that at least the tax should be de- :,
eased. j.
The report Of the Park Commissioners a.
lowed that there was on hand surplus of
100000, not one cent Of which had been ex- !.
,nded III identifying the park, and yet the /.
X brought IN an amount of money double
Q amount OF notes falling due yearly.
The tax was onerous to the people, and y
ey had long asked to be relieved of it. He
d no idea that the city would allow the
operty to be lost. The arrears of the Park g,
X would meet the notes coming due, and
fore the next one matured the city could
We made some arrangement to meet it.
Hahn again took the floor. He said that tn
his remarks about the Park Commissioners on
had no reference to the present board. He r
lieved that the first board was out of exist R R
CO. James Lewis and J. Fl. Oglesby were E.
,m6ers OF the present board, and they were
III honest men. Ii
The bill was indefinitely postponed
motion to adjourn prevailed
Mr. Cannon, the Congressional delegate
III Utah, says :" IT they had our institu-
rs III Brooklyn think there would be less
eeption. 1t would all be understood and
rmonious. | wish Mr.. Beecher had more
til. Brother Cannon doesn't seem to BE .;
are that the chief difference between tha 4