The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-24
ResOIUtiOas.

take such steps as will cause the discontin
nance Of the performances being given at tht
Globe Theater by the troupe known as the
"CAn-Can Dancers if in his discretion ht
deems it proper Adopted
The following were adopted:
\ II solution instructing the CITY surveyor
10 make examination Of the Sixth District and
report some efficient plan Of drainage, was
adopted.
Permission to Southern Boat Club to erect
a boat-hous at the corner Of Ninth and
| Water streets.
Resolutions granting certain wharf priv
leges petitioned f1r by the New Orleans and
Florida and New York and Mexican Steam
ship companies, were passed.
PETITIONS ....
Property holders on Grand Route St John
and Esplanade street complain OF the danger
Gus condition of those streets, and ask that
they be repaired. Referred TO the Admins
traitor Of Improvements.
Petition Of Maclin and Ref, asking for an
equitable settlement Of their claim for coal
furnished Departments Of Police and Water
Works, referred to the Administrator of Ac-
counts.
The petition of Jas. Mcconnell, in behalf
of the destitute orphan boys, asking that the
property known as the Orphan Boys Relief
be relieved from seizure for taxes and
| taken off the assessment roll, was referred to
! the Administrator of Accounts.
The committee appointed under ordinance
1881, having considered the matters commit
ted to their charge, made the following re-
port
1t is manifest that with debt bonded, GER
titled and tiodtlng OF over twenty millions
of dollars, with an annual interest on the
bonded debt Of nearly one half million; with
Of
trated and impoverished community is unable
to pay; with constant depression in the
value Of every species of property, it will be
impossible even with the most rigid economy
to provide tor the current expenses Of the
city, and still continue the pay ment Of inter
est. The taxpayers are 50 much exhausted
by previous eNactions that it will be impos-
sible Tor them to meet tie tax which the laws
have compelled this Council to levy. With
al the machinery OF the courts, with The known
repugnance OF property owners TO seizure
and sale, but little over one-hah the tax Of
last year has been collected and tile ability 10
pay viii be less tbs year than last THIS ad-
ministration has reduced the expenditures
over which il has control 70 the lowest point
commensurate with the proper conduct CT
city affairs. Any further reduction must
come from such favorable legislation rs will
restore to the city government the manage
ment of its own affairs. At present it has no
control over the amounts which are to be |
levied for the police, the schools or the park |
nor the interest tax, but is required by law to
impose the lax at the demand of those who |
are in no way responsible to this people or
their duly elected representatives.
The Council has no power to fix the fees |
and salaries Of many Of the officers who are |
paid by the city nor in many cases of reduc-
ing the officers which 1t might be well to dis
pense with.
OF the tax OF p per cent. imposed for the
year 1870, the city government secures but
a little over per cent. for the expenditures
committed to its charge. Nearly per cent is
to be collected ana paid out by it, without the
power to reduce in any manner the expendi-
lures to which it will be devoted. OF the !
per cent levied for general expenses, a large
sum must be paid for court charges, Sherifs
fees, Recorders courts, Coroners and Board
of Health expenditures, etc, etc, which, be-
ing fixed by law, cannot be changed by action
Of the city officials.
II appears therefore, that this Council can
not, any further, reduce the burden unless
the public creditor comes to their relief. Tn
less there is material reduction of taxation
the city government must stop for want OF
means to carry on its functions thus bring
ing destruct on alike to citizen and bond
holder.
1t is apparent, therefore, that the latter
must yield something to the necessities Of
he G se, and We have prepared the following
proposal, which we suggest as a remedy viz:
l. That the bond holders shall form an as
ISOLATION under the banking law, to be styled
he City Security and Banking Company, or
uch other title as may be deemed proper
,. That the capital of said association shall
'e based upon all the city bonds rated at
heir present market value, with say per
ent cash.
The city to transfer to said association
il the available property and franchises
which can De properly leased or disposed OF !
or term of years.
|. The Water Works and material for
,erlcd OF years.
>. The public markets for period Of years.
3. The wharyes and landings for a period
# years.
I. All batture property. and all future ac-
retlons, for period of years.
,, The reyersion Of the rights of the city.
Nth horse car railroads, and franchises.
6. The reversion Of the rights OF the city
Il the New Orleans Gas Light Company, now
u litigation.
I. The transfer Of all such real estate as is ,
lot dedicated to public use. l
All the above property to be kept in good
rider and subject to the public uses to which f
hey are now devoted, under such regulations u
5 regards police, health and tariff as may be 1
ecessary to protect the public interests. q
In consideration of the above the said asso- /
iation shall liquidae the whole of the /
onded debt Indebtedness of the city, both Q
rincipal and interest. If this arrangement f
al be consummated, and proper legislation :.
e had so as to bring down other expendi- s
ares OF the city officials to the proper point "
he tax may be reduced one and one-hllf or a
ne and one-qnarter per cent upon b
lie present assessment, and thus
snder all the property and franchises trans
FRED to the association more valuable by the 81
stored prosperity attendant upon reduc- W
on OF taxation, thus enhancing the value Of ST
5 stock. Your committee submits this out 81
ne Of plan. necessarily imperfect in detail, a.
a solution Of the serious hnancal diff Il