The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-12-28
THE MEETING LAST NIGHT.
st. Patrick's Hall Crowded.

Pursuant to the call made and numerously |
signed by prominent citizens, st. Patricks
Hall in the early part of las. evening became
the center towards which was setting stream |
of people from both up and down Camp |
street. By the time the band arrived the
large room was filled, and the attendance
must have been fully $500.
About half-pas seven o'clock Capt }. j. !
Mellon called to order the large assemblage
in the hall The following officers were then
elected:
President-W. c. Raymond.
Vice Presiden.s-W. G. Black, Saml Boyd,
Thomas A. Adams. R. H. MARI, L. j. Highly
John L Adams. Lloyd r. leman, F. Og-
den, Nicholas Burke, G. Schneider, j. s. Whit
aker, G. T. Dugazon A. A. Maginnis, A. Car
riere, F. Limet, ALT. Briggs, Leon Queyrouze,
G. A. Lanaux, L. @. Roudanez, E. F. Del
Bondio. Joseph O'Brien, w. B. Conger.
F. M. Landry. John Yerber P. G. Grandjean,
James Buckner, R. J. Connolly, D Behan,
E. Murray, c. NJ Soria. Danl Edwards. Ed.
Palfrey, A. Cbiapella, J. B. Latitte, L. Grune-
valid, F. NJ. Ziegler, FL. T. Lawler, r. Bru-
/ gier, II. Tete, c. Beard, NJ D., J. G. Denis,
w. A. Bell, A. W. Cooper. A. Boulware, JAS,
Kieting. Chas. Latitte, Ed. Thompson. E.
Booth r. B. Pleasant, E. Toby, Jacob Muller,
J. A. Fernandez.
President Raymond thanked the meeting
! for the honor conferred upon him, and spoke
of the reasons why the assemblage had been
called together, and showed how important
it was that the people should understand fully
the present condition OF municipal aft Iirs.
He read portions of Mayor Lseds's message,
which were repeatedly interrupted with rounds
of applause. He then introduced as the first
speaker of the evening, Hon. H. N. Ogden.
Mr.. Ogden said that the Mayor had just
taken stand on principle, an event here
which caused marked feeling of surprise
"There has been," said he, "a marked de-
cension in the American mind in consttu-
tional principles The contest of the M ,yor
and the State authorities involves the right OF
self government" He then entered into
careful survey of constitutional liberty and
It's bearing upon the municipal contest now
attra citing public attention, and referred to
the Magma Charta as showing that every COM
munity had, under i, the right OF selfgov-
eminent.
He entered into clear and philosophical
explanation of individual, family and COM
munity rights and showed that the smaller
bodies never gave up their rights concerning
themselves alone when entering larger COM
munities These rights were inherent. The
infringement OF these rights have always been
met with protest. He referred to the i'm
prisorment of our legislators January last by
United States soldiers as calling out opposi-
ton from even such men as Evarts, Bryant
and other Republicans Coming down to the
formation of our own government, he spoke
CT this right of self government as having been
the nucleus around which all other questions
settled in the war for liberty.
The peoples liberties are set in local gov
eminent, and, as Mr.. Jefferson said, in these
small local republics depended the safety OF
the larger republic. He described that even
in legislative bodies municipal rights are not
represented, because other representatives
ha7 to pass upon them, and they are there
fore stiff I'd.
lie spoke in terms of severe condemnation
of the drift of Capitalization, and it would not
he lone before the Federal Government would
be able to take charge of our public schools
and our municipal affairs. If these liberties
cost as much as the Magma Charta did the
Toglisb, we would care more for them. The
blood OF the martyrs of the l4th OF September
is hardly dried upon the wharves of our city,
the principles they fought for by our munich
pal authorities. Tremendous applause
Examining the question of tax g, he said
that they Were levied on municipal corpora
tons by representatives from whole State,
and the voice of the local representation is
stfled This is in direct violation of the
verv first principles on which the battles of
the Revolution were fought. The Metropoli
tan Police Board whose hirelings are sent all
over the State to protect the State Govern
ment, and the School Board heaping insult,
we are called upon to submit to. Applause. ]
+ o said that he was not willing TO 90 back
nine hundred years in civilization and sacri-
flee the liberties we have 1.-The city au-
thorities must stand by US in this crisis
They are gentlemen we have placed in Office
They must stand firmly by us; but if they do
do not they will go down with our liberties to
infany. They must stand Upon this ground
a fight never lost anything by a stand upon
principle, and we must stand by them now"
Continued applause
Judge J. s. Whitaker was next introduced.
He said he did not think there was citizen
within the State who did not feel proud that
tie city had Chief Magistrate who could so
boldly express his sentiments in regard to
local matters.
He next dwelt on the laws under which the
oppressive taxation complained of was levied.
He said the law must be obeyed; that law
took its seat in the bosom of fraud; but he
wanted to know what law can take from the
city the government and control Of the police
which patrol the city. CHEERS.
The police force is under the control of the
State, and that the expenses of the police
force for the city amount to $500 600 This
has been for seven years; multiply. gentlemen,
and you will find that it toots up So, 600, 600.
He next referred to the Park tax, and after
telling how the law levying the tax was passed
by Legislature not representing the people,
he stated that $685. 900 had been raised by
this tax, and then asked what was done with
it. He said under another law the Park Com
missioners were authorized to purchase q
piece of land for $500, 600, sold by one of the
Commissioners. Bonds for the amount of
100000 were issued to complete the pay
ment. This park, when com pleted five years
hence, will have cost the city over Sill 900. 000
This park is a State institution, and what law
can tax the city for State institution?
He next took up the drainage tax. He