The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-11-02
OUR MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.


"A very important matter to be considered
hy tho next Legislature will be that OF the
future management Of our city affairs. The
limitation placed upon the city Tux by the
now constitution makes 1t quite impossible
for things to 20 on as they have been going.
Ten mills upon tho present assessment
which, at the very least, ~ high enough will
produce a revenue far short of what would be
required under tho existing system even IT
every cent was collected The fact stands boz
yond all controversy, and without single elo-
mont ofelasticity, that tho revenue AZ now pro-
vided for, oven when utilized 10 the last frac-
ton Of dollar, will not meet. BY largo and
ugly gap. the very smallest budget that can
now be devised under the new constitution.
There is no changing or modifying that fact,
md the next and only thing. therefore. Ia to
set about making preparations for q budget
that will IL In with the revenue. That can
be done In only one way which Is by tho
Legislature reconstructing our present
methods Or government, and taking u new
departure In municipal finance.
The&ibIect ID too complicated to be dealt
with properly In tho space OF n single article,
Nhu Shh NO hhpuN5a VhAt Ill 81AlIA0t h6A lAS. ~
seems to ls, however, that ono thing 10 patent,
and that ID that tho expenses Of the city gov
eminent must be- reduced very materially.
No one will deny, we presume, that In some
important respects this can DO done. For
example, the number of bureaus can be re-
dueed without imparing the efficiency Of tho
government, and the salaries attached to
those which are retained can DO cut down.
This much needs no argument but the saving
IN this respect Ia comparatively small
We do not wish to be understood MS favor
Ing or even consenting 10 tho entire abolition
q tho bureau system. or the revival Of the
Old aldarmanic plan rs IL existed formerly In
New Orleans. The record will show that the
latter was incomparably more expensive and
less efficient than tho former, and It would be
On net 81 inexcusable folly 20 restore Il. We
think, however, that there should DO d legls-
latlve branch Of the city government repre-
aenting tho people and exercising control and
supervision over tho management of affairs
u should meet not oftencr than once month,
and should have ite powers very explicitly
and strictly defined, and should serve with
out pay
htb, III butHHe III buf OI LtlB COfl-
plexton to which the city government must
finally come. We enter upon the discussion
OF the question with certain inexorabIe facts
az n starting point.
First Our revenue III limited absolutely.
Secondly Our expenses must be reduced
50 rs to harmonize with the means at our
disposal.
Thirdly-The government must be admin
istored.
Tho way before Us ~, therefore, plain. We
must first change our system 50 as to con
form TO the revenue; next, provide for meet
ing all the imperative aud Indispensable ex-
penses OF tho government and then set about
what remains 30 as to obtain the
best possible results Iii the interest of all con
cerned. II ID evident that some sort OF ar
must be made with reference to
tho city debt, and that n vast amount of intel
ligence end tact must be brought to
bear to reconcile various other obligations
with tho resources upon which they are
predichted. At the best, tho municipal
problem Is full Of difficulties. 1t Ia delicate
and complex beyond oil precedent. and will
haveto be approached with all the caution
and the ability that we can summon for tho
occasion. There is no escaping or postponlng
1t. and 1t must remain for tho present q sub
iect Of the deepest solc,tude with every
Thoughtful and patriotic citizen.