New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-16

of the present administration, namel'
, $24,634, 407 80 in 1873, it has been dimu
, ished as follows:
, BY redemption Of seventy-two past
, By retirement of old outstanding war: wv
By Exchange Of si,:s; 100 Of consoi. '0'0O0
. idated bend. for - ,22s 900 Of old
By es uihsass os esads 81 ss6oo
dated bonds for $40 $40 60 of old
outstanding warrants. 1876 376 Z
IetaI reduct1on...... -.......... g. 1865 $40
4 While the public debt has thus bee
lesse ned, taxation, State, city and parish
within the came period has been material,
reduced.
| The general expenses Of the State hav,
been decreased, but there is still mucl
room for reduction. The expenses of the
government ought not to exceed $500, 900
nor ought those of the General Assembly
to exceed $l50,000. would further recon
mend that the salaries Of parish judges
should in future be paid by the parishes,
and not by the State.
NEW ORLEANS
1 Ho AnoSO u'AACudU pTVUAcN W No l6l0
| before you for solution will be the financial
| d faculties of the city Of New Orleans. l
| had intended to recommend several meas
ures which. in my Judgment. would afford
at least partial relief, but being advised
hat competent persons, including the city
members, we're considering and preparing
bills for the relief of the city, have
conc luded to make no specific recommends.
tions. Brb flv stated, the facts that con-
front you are these: The city, with an
assessed valuation for it's own PURPOSES of
taxation Of much less than half the valuation
OF the whole State, has bonded and floating
debt as great ss the debt of the State was
before the passage Of the funding law, if not
greater. The interes st upon this debt and the
expenses Of the city government, including
the necessary cost Of paving, repairing and
lighting the streets, involve an annual out
lay larger than any revenue the city is
practically able to collect. This condition
Of things under various city governments,
Republican and Democratic, but chiefly
Democratic. has been growing up for
many years, and each year the debt
of the city has increased and its re.
sources have diminished. To check this
evil the last Legislature, On my recon
supported by the Chamber of |
Commerce and the then City Council
passed, and the people have since formally
adopted a constitutional amendment limit
ing tho debt'of the city to its present a,nount
and prohibiting The issue of any warrant or
evidence OF iniis btedntss in the future nm |
less against cash actually in the treasury |
This amendment will prevent the city from
getting deeper INFO debt, but will not relieve
its existing embarrassments which are very |
serious. Its interest is in arrears, it owes
\ large sum to its employees, and bonds to
he amount Of several millions of dollars
rave fallen Que, or are about to nature,
which it bias no means of meeting. I com
mend this subject to our most serious con.
liberation.
RESTRICTIONS ON COMMERCE.
There are many hindrances to commerce
q the way OF unnecessary inspections, vex-
taous port charges, licenses and monopo-
les. which should he removed, or lightened
g far IA possible, by legislative action, and
measures adapted ia this end will be laid
efore you. b, II committee Of the Chamber
Commerce. An application will also De
1sde IL you 10 incorporate q board Of
rsde tor the city of New Orleans. This ia |
matter which shoulc receive your prOmpt
I'D favorable aGIlon. ! am confident Won |
MI In All cen md. Sc
ie merchsn's ana direct representatives
the conmtrc,si ara financial interests of
ew Orleans due s.Isl, and onsiieraticn. |
he @tlfdre If tie Whole Stare rs SO closely
,nnec'ed With The cdr ln,rce Of the c,tv OF |
ew Orleans tia; y0nr earnes: arten tiun
d 10 promote the business intereets of the
ty.
mere Is much coInplsint regarding the
"a nner OF discussing the taxes raised for | {
wee aud school pug poses. The limited | 3
ME OF your session will E4b probably per n
1t u such legislation regarding these i
afters as may h. ne, esssry. but ii proper !.
es~ We're thker 10 ascertain the nature O
ID ken of these complaints, the Legis- .,
fure st its next regular ses sion would | 81
nnt'-ss hs able 10 apply the proper
needles 9,
Ia conciusia permit NE to ,ay that your A.
ion IN tie session on which you have -
erea .,ll he warcbed with greatinterest, r,
only b, your fellow citizens bat BY ths CT
ire country. / venture to indulge tie St
~ that by wise; prudent and 7alutaEy "
ion IN your part the troubles Of @.