The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-01-19
OUR LETTER FROM BRoADBRlM.

OUR LETTER FROM BROADBRlM.
New Year Notes -A:Debt Burdened City
The Rulers of Gotham - The Bartholdi
Pedestal Fund-Operatic aud Theatrical
Matters-The Willard Failure.
NEW YORK. January Z, 1884,
EDITOR CHIEF:
So here we are fairly Launched on an
other year, and for starter I can't say
that the prospect is altogether pleasant.
There has not been more wretched, mis-
erable day since we heard the New Years
chime of 1884. A cold, drilling rain sent
chill to the hearts of the most energetic
callers, and drove the people from the
stleets. The saloons did a land-of1ice bust
ness in hot whiskies and egg nogg, and all
the temperance evangelists in the world
could not persuade the people that pouring
down whiskey was not the proper way to
celebrate New Years Day. Baskets hung
out everywhere to notify the hungry
trampers that the occupants of the house
were not receiving; but here and there a
hospitable door was open, and those who
braved the storm were welcomed whether
they were known or not. The sudden and
somewhat unexpected collapse of Mr.. Vii
lard has been the sensation of the street.
Ninety days ago he was plotting lords and
dukes-and dudes-to Fairy Land over the
Northern Pacific. Thousands were howl
ing themselves hoarse for the brilliant and
eloquent and wonderful young financier,
who, like Midas of old, had turned every
thing he touched into gold. 1t has been a
terrible shock to the street, and, as far as I
can learn, there are not many who have
any reason to rejoice. 1t is rumored that
Henry Clews made a plum, but you can't
believe all you hear on the street. It is not
SO very long since Mr.. Clews himself went
by the board, and his paper on Change
was worth about two cents pound: but,
by grip and perseverance, it is said that: he
has Won fortune again. IF he has, he is an
other illustration of the truth of that
homely old adage, "He wins who waits"
Our outlook in the city is not as pleasant
as we could wish. The Board of Estimate
has figured our expenses at thirty-fve mil
lions and quarter of dollars, or at the rate
of about thirty-three and a half dollars a |
head for every man, woman and child in |
the city. If the expenses of the general
Government were equal to the ratio of ex
pense of the city of New York, they would
reach, in round. numbers, from sixteen to
seventeen hundred millions Of dollars. The
question with our city officials is not to see
how little they can get along with, but how
much the city will stand. The budget was
cut down little over million, but the
startling fact still remains that the budget
IF 1854 is nearly three millions and half
more than it was in 1883. Notvithstand
ng its immense revenues gathered from
year to year, the robbers who control our
public affairs have involved the city over
one hundred million dollars, the interest
IN the city debt figuring in the budget at
eight millions and ninety-three thousand
1ollars. This, at the present rate of inter
'st on Government bends, would represent
| debt of nearly two hundred and seventy
nlllious OF dollars. Verify, verify, we are
7ery much in the situation of the unfortu-
late gentleman who went down to Jericho
md fell among thieves. What do they do
With all the money? Well, I don't know
hat can tell you what they do with all of
t, but can account for a part.
Take walk any fine day through the
Park; take court day OR some day when
he Board Of Aldermen is in session. If it
we're not for their dress and their dia-
nonds. you might imagine that Sing Sing
r Auburn had been emptied. Hands that
ave. figured in Singing matches and
raeking bank safes are finely gloved or ;;
lazlng with diamond rings; noses that
ave been broken in the P. r, are hidden
ehind imperial Havana cigars, and backs
nat still bear the marks of the lash for the !