The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-04
on its bonded debt is the result of want OIL
ability and not of inclination.
The police question is thus discussed:

The police question is thus discussed:
The question of the control and manage
ment of the metropolitan police is one upon
which your body. constituted as it is. will
probably not agree Ia the present condition
of public sentiment, and with the present re-
lation of parties in the General Assembly, it
is scarcely probable that the one party will be
willing to yield entirely what the other party
may insist to be right and equitable. The
metropolitan system is doubtless open to many
| objections, but it is by no means new plan,
nor is it peculiar to this State. The questions
that most affect the taxpayer are, whether the
would probably be under different manage
ment, and whether it is equally efficient. The
record will establish both. The estimate OF
police expenses for the year 1875 was
100000, but the amount of taxes collected
by the city and turned over 10 the treas
urer of the Police Board was much less,
being only S403, 081. The estimate Of police
expenses for the year 1876 is SAG, 900; the
probable amount that will be collected not
more than 1885, 600. In the city of Chicago
the number of men employed upon the police
force is $50, and the expense amounts to
s670, 900. The city of st. Louis pays $685.
900 per annum for its police. In the city of
Boston in 1874 the police "ppor'ionment was
1865, 600; the actual cost $797, 62O. That city
is, besides, the headquarters OF the State con-
stabulary. comprising over 100 men. at a cost
of 1892, 735 per apnum and who, when neces-
sary, do police duty. In New Orleans during
the same year the police apportionment was
5000 OUO, and the actual cost $500. 8l3 The
last report of the Boston police shows dit
ference of over 1922, 800 in favor of New Or
leans. The number of arrests made bv the
Boston police during the last year was 20, 1893;
nv the New Orleans notice 20 1856
The immense area over which the city of
New Orleans extends lover forty-seven
square miles,, increases the difficulty and
expense of the police system. In the other
cities referred to the police are promptly paid
their wages in cash. In those cities taxation
is not rendered unequal and oppressive, as in
New Orleans by wealthy delinquent taxpay-
ers. Ii the taxes were collected closely, and
the police were paid promptly, as in other
much exceed 100000, which would be less
in proportion than is paid for the police ser
vice OF any city similarly situated.
The cost of the police at present is not as
great as it was in 1867, when the police force
was controlled by the City Council AS COM
pared with the expenditure Of 1869, it is less
by S343, 191 Is. AS compared with the ex-
penses of 1872, it is less by S234 663 SO, and
as compared with the expenses OF 1873, it is
less by SIC, 900. The estimated expenses of
the police just rendered to the City Council
for the year 1876 amount to $499, 900, which
is 1927, 425 less than the apportionment made
by the Council and allowed by them in 1869,
ess than the superintendent made by the
Council in 1872 by 1881. 232 &c. and less than
he appor comment made by the Council in
1915 by SlO1, 900.
OF the present estimate of $499, 900, judy
ng by the collections of past years, there
probably will not be more than $685., 900 &C.
ually collected and paid to the police. From
hese facts it will be seen that the expenses
If the police department have been steadily
educed that they are proportionatsly lower
or the current year than the cost Of the police
II other cities, and very much less than the
ost OF previous years in this city.
THE SCHOOL QUESTION.
The school question is treated as follows:
The agitation of various questions not only
nancial, but affecting the administration of
he schools generally, has awakened consid-
rable public interest in the school question,
tate and city, during the past year. The
lowness OF the payment of city and parish
axes aud the enormous delinquent lists of
be city, amounting to over 81, 500, 600 for the
asst two years, have caused irregularlty in the
ayment Of teachers This cause and the
tequent changes OF teachers by election have
I'D 10 dissatisfaction. The selection of the
lty School Board is strictly appoin;ive in it's
haracter and is confided solely to the depart
lent OF the State Superintendent OF Educa.
on. Fora time owing TO the agitation in
Owed. many appointments that would have
cen very suitable have been declined. But
lore recently the acceptance by several promi-
ent citizens of the duties imposed upon the
chool Directors will tend to the benefit and
rength OF the system. Whether some pro.
lslon should not be made tending to greater
ermanence and less frequent changes in the
election OF teachers, is suggested. also the
ropriety OF giving municipal bodies a repre-
'ntatlon In the composition of local boards
directors, in city and country Also.
neither the powers of the Board of School
lrectors of the city OF New Orleans should
ot DE subdivided. 1t is almost asking i'm.
osslDllltIes to expect central board to
ndertake the proper supervision of so mauv
hools, and to act carefully and intelligently
the selection of SO many teachers. 4
ore local a administration would pro ably re-
lit IN greater watchfulness over the schools.
I'd Increased efficiency. Although there
ay have been too frequent changes of
achers IN the city, think careful inspec-
On OF the lists will show that, with few ex-
ptions, political considerations have had
Tie or no influence in the appointments
ade
The main question for the taxpayer to con-
Ter Is whether the present school system is
onomicaly administered. The answer ia a
after OF figures During the scholastic years
I'm 1860 to 1868, during which time the CITY
uncll had control of the schools of New Or
ms, and during which period no coIored
lidren were admit ed to the schools. the ex
nses were as follows: For 1866 number of
pills. ,O93; total expenditures $3.50. 1897. or per
plta s23 "a. For 1867 number of pupils i2.-
total expenditures s269O4 or per capita
40. For 1868, number of pupils IA 597.
.al expenditures 1887 ,94l or per capita sol 53'
L ma, here be noted that in 1S67-5, the CITY
llncl (havlns control of the schools) provided
'I,9oo for the support of the public schools
Ia an average attendance of but little over
0oo, while 100000 is the amount estimated az
squate by the present Council mot having the
ltIo OF the schools) for an average attendance
nearly lo,ooo pupils one-eighth Of the amouat
uses. With the inception of the present svs-
q the number OF pupils was so largely increased