New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-08
Governor kell0gg's Message.

The Associated Press dispatches this
morning give an extensive resume, for 1t
can hardly be called less, of Governor ke.-
logg's message to the Legislature of Louisi-
ana. Evidently the paper is an exhaustive
treatment of the financial situation: and is
conceived in high spirit OF impartiality
and patriotism. There are times when
patriotism pays-not the delusive preten-
sions of dem gcgues, clOaking wicked plans
ct personal profit or ambition under pro-
fessions OF philanthropy or disinterested-
ness, but patriotism that reckons the pub
lie veal the first and only consideration OF
the government. Probably there is little
left for Governor Kellogg to do but to take
care of his reputation for ability and fidelity
to his official trust And if he needed any
spur to this course he has an admirable ex-
ampie in Governor Chamberlain, of South
Carolina, a arpe;-bagger like himself, but
one who has shown that talent and integ.
rity could win respect for man of OBJ
poxiOus antecedents.
But it is not the occasion now to review
Governor Kellogg's previous career in New
Orleans. As he says in his message. he
stands now upon an honorable compromise
entered into by all parties 1t is due to him
that the adverse Legislature with which he
must work should sustain him IN every
true and righteous effort to administer the
government And he plants himself on the
impregnable ground when he asks that the
financial situation shall be made and kept
solvent and economical one.
Governor Kellogg's justification OF his
own official career is credltable to him.
He ignores al doubtful matters and takes
up the economical question, saying that
the State debt has been reduced over
s., coo, 900 in three years, and its liquidation
provided for bv amendments to the consti-
tution. The State debt now stands at $i9,-
600 900 in round numbers, burden heavy
enough to demand prudence and economy
not heavy enough to oppress the resources
of the State. The Governor distinctly says
! that entire provision Is made tor the In
terest and bonds OF the State debt as they
shall mature.
With reference to the city of New Or
leans the story is about as bad as it can be
And when the Governor declares the city
hopelessly bankrupt, and tells the Legsla
| ture there is nothing for it to do but NEE,
| it's creditors and set the best possible terms
| of compromise. we commend this part OF
| the message to our city government. Fol
| two wears the city has been in arrears t
! the extent of about 81 100000 per annum
! exclusive of it's failure to provide for the
| public schools. But the most noticeable fea
| ture of the condition of the city is the state
| of it's tax collections. For six years the city
| has been unab to collect, until the arrears
| of unpaid taxes amount to over $2.25O, 900
| TAT least, SO We interpret the extraordinary
! figures given in the dispatch. which must
BE- a mistake rs they stand, since they are
vast enough to cover the entire valuation Of
| the real estate of the cityl With all the
means of enforcing collections which the
sheriff has at hand, how can it be that these
arrears are allowed to run on for six years
and to reach go large sum! The only ex
| planation is that the property of New Or
leans, away from the centres Of business. is
not salable. Men will not buy it when the
financial condition Of the city is so embsr
| rassed.
The municipal debt is put at $4,000, ,0oo
| for q population of about 2lO, ,OOO-$lOO d
| head. This is somewhat in excess of Phila
delphia, which is about $66 per capita, in
GLIDING floating debt reported, and thro "
| ing out the amount in the sinking fund and
| the gas guaranteed debt.
The remedy proposed by Governor kel
logg is the appointment of five commission
ers TO arrange terms of 20 mprOmise with the
creditors which is q hard necessity, but bet
| ter than further default or reputation. We
commend this proposition of the Louisiana
Governor to Governor Hartranfr, with ;
suggestion that he consider how near tht
necessity is to making like suggestion ir
his message concerning Philadelphia
Philaaelphid Press