The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1877-10-27
THE NEW ORLEANS DEMOCRAT SATURDAY, OCTOBER a. 1877

as the original vendor Of the property held
by them and from which they have been
ousted by q Judgment In favor of Mrs. Gaines.
In 1868 this claim against the city amounted
to over two millions OF dollars 1t has been
largely Increased since. OF course the city is
unable to pay this amount. and indeed under
the stringent provisions Of the laws it Is un-
able to make any compromise without the
authority OF the Legislature, and then only
by On increase of taxation.
Then there Is the case Of the holders of the
old consolidated bonds, represented in the
case Of Rosa Maenhaut VS.. the city, which
has been In suit for several years. and In
which the United States Judge has decided
that the plaintiffs have O. valid contract by
virtue of the acts Of 1928, to be paid their
interest out Of the taxes, which by sub
sequent act OF the Legislature have been ap-
propriated entirely to the payment Of the
premium bonds. These parties having been
defeated in their application for other reme-
dies have been advised and evidently intend
to act thereon, and even the United States
Judge has suggested that as their remedy, Of
asking for mandamus to compel the city to
impose an additional and supplementary tax
to raise fund Of $780, 900 per annum for the
sinking fund provided in the original con-
tract, to retire these consolidated bonds. To
these are to be added the claim OF the hold
ers OF the railroad bonds. jackson and Ope-
lo,lsas, who have pending case on appeal to
assess tax to pay their judgments on their
bonds
These several claims have already been be-
fore the courts for some time and have been
prosecuted with great vigor and pertinacity
on the part of the claimants and resisted
with equal pertinacity by the city.
And now comes host of other SUITS and
the cry Is still they comel Many OF these
grow out Of the unfortunate alliance of tho
city with the drainage contractors. That
contract has proved Messiah shirt TO the
city. There Is the Canal Bank which has q
Judgment for reimbursement of drainage
taxes Of over thirty thousand dollars. There
Is large suit of some hundred thousand
dollars now pending. of tie holders of the
property of an old anl ong abandoned
track of railroad, which used to run from
this city, via Carrollton, to the lake. which
track has been for many years appropriated
and used by the city for drainage canal.
Then the Bayou st John Canal Company
insists upon it's rights, under the act of 1858,
to be paid large amounts by the city for the
privilege Of draining into Its canal.
The Poptchartrain Railroad Company that
most ancient of all the railroads in the United
States, claims exemption from assessment
and taxation Of the track occupied by 1t, by
virtue of It's possession thereof, though the
property originally belonged to Bernard
Marigny, and the company never acquired
title therein, and only right of way.
Charles Morgan ressts the claim of wharfage
for the use Of wharves which he had built at
his own expense on the other side OF the river,
and suit has arisen involving this issue be-
tween him and the city, or Its assignees. The
Sugar Shed Company rejects modification
Of the contract proposed to 1t, and defies the
city to forfeit or enforce said contract.
The City Railroad resists the assessment Of
their property, and seeks to reduce their taxa
tion at least one-half. Various rich corpora
tions are contesting with the city their several
assessments. In fine our city is beset, wor-
ried and necessarily pursued by nearly every
corporation within its limits and by all its
creditors, and by not few spectators, to q
degree never before borne by juridical
person.
The present Administr ators will have per-
haps the largest experience of the pleasures,
of litigation, Of attachments, as witnesses, of
constant attendance at courts and will be
more frequently honored with the personal
courtesies of sheriffs, constables and mar
shals than any set Of gentlemen whoever
undertook patriotic duties.
This Is a mortifying experience, but newt
able, 1t seems, in the present condition of our
city's finances. 1t ought, however, to impress
the people with the necessity of guarding well
against the hasty, improvident and ill-con-
sidered legislation of the past and against the
selection OF incompetent, inexperienced and
untrustworthy men, mere iobbers or ward
politicians and office-seekers, Of whom our
city government has too often included
too large number 1t involves, too,
grave reflection upon the class from
which our city officials should be chiefly
chosen, who, having a large interest in the
good government of the city, take the least
interest therein. and are more often found
among the assailants Of its credit and the
spectators on its misfortunes than among
It's upholders and defenders.
The liquor men of Richmond have been