The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-13
sonE HOME ArrArRs.

The police bill introduced by Mr.. Harding
In the Senate Is very commendable one as
far as IL goes. IL simply fixes the salaries OF
the police officers, from chief TO roundsman,
and requires the city authorities to set apart
the first receipts Of the city treasury az spe-
cial police fund. for the payment OF these en-
ployees before any other debts or obligations
Of the city can be taken any notice Of. In
other words, the city is obliged to pay It's
police In cash before II can discuss it's ability
to pay any one else.
Our only objection to this bill IL that IL does
not cover the whole pay roll and all the cur
rent expense account Of the city.
We think that just such bill as this should
be passed, and we have all along urged the
idea II embodies upon the Legislature; but
the police force should not be preferred above
other meritorlous employees OF the city whose
services furnish them their livelihood. There
are the school teachers the clerical force at
the City Hail. and numerous other employees,
who stand on the same ground with the
police and against whom no preiudicial dis
tinctions should be made. Then, above ell
things else, there are the sanitary expenses Of
the city, which should be provided for.
Did Senator Hardlng's bill comprehend the
whole pay roll and all the current and neees-
sary expenses Of the city. we would give It
our unhesitating support; but. as 1t is, he has
only given the police force the benefit OF the
application Of principle the DEMOCRAT has
long commended for. This principle is simply
that the first debt the city owes and the first
II should provide for liz the daily wages due
Its employees, from Mayor down to the hum
blest scavenger These men and women
school teachers, clerks, scriveners, policemen,
laborers-live by their daily labor; they are
faithful and hard-worked servants, and Il IL
infinitely worse faith not to pay them prompt
", and In cash, than II is TO default In the best
secured bond that is held against the city.
The very first money received into the city
treasury, from whatever source should be
set apart sacredly to pay these people, and no
consideration should be had Of anybody
claims Till they are secured. Let Mr.. Hard
ing amend his bill 30 as to comprehend the
whole city pay roll and we will give 1t our
full Endorsement.
In regard to the school teachers, Mr.. Bower
has introduced an admirable bill for their re-
lief. His proposition Is that one-half Of the
net total Of the collected school tax shall be
reserved for the use Of the parish paying It,
leaving the other half to go into the general
school fund TO be expended throughout the
State. This WILL of course, enure very greatly
to the benefit Of New Orleans. Still this liz q
very modest and just demand-that the
people who pay the tax shall have alb
lsolutely the benefit OF one-half OF 1t. We
do not see what reasonable objection
can be made TO such distribution
Of this tax. AS general proposition
+. We do not believe that the State should az
! ford anything more than a rudimentary or a
! good common school education-to read,
/ write and cipher. These accomplishments
are all that are necessary to start the young
In life on an intelligent plane. II the child, OF
the parent, is ambitious beyond this, either
should rely on his or her own personal re-
sources to attain their ends.
| The application Of 80 per cent Of the tax
collected In this city. absolutely, to the uses
Of the public schools here, will insure us Q
school system to this extent and make II ef
fcent and pay those In charge Of the schools
Il will not do more, and this much the cit J
has the right to demand, and 80 has any AND
all other parishes In the State.