Year: 1873

l


! tions arising from the financial Difficult


ties that have for so long time, and


still embarrass our city administration.


The Picavune first introduced the subject,
| in an article which the Herald, unjustly,
| as we think, construed into an attack upon


the present city fathers We read the


P;cayune's suggestions with some pleasure


aud failed to detect any intent to attack


any one in particular; and while we do not


fully concur with our contemporary IN ats


assignment of reasons for the present con-


dition, yet we INDUCED in the hope that


all concerned in the vital question would


finally arrive at something like an agree
ment, both as to the cause and the
remedy for the evil. In considering the
financial condition Of the city. the public


have had of late years. unusual facilities
for obtaining correct statistical !n'
formation. Under the law and the
practice a balance sheet OF receipts
| and expenditures is officially exhibited at


stated intervals. Every item Of expendi-
| ture is duly published. first in the pro-
ceedings of the Council and again in the
city ordinances. But to the general pub
lie. mere statement Of the condi.
ton of the treasury, showing the
amount Of cash disbursed and on hand.
and the estimated future as well as the
| over due demands upon the city'c re-.


sources, do not convey much intelligence


to the ordinary mind. When the proper


administrator proves by his statement that


there is a defcit--that the demands Tor


expenditures exceed the supply from the


actual receipts. he merely instructs the
people that the financial affairs OF the


city are becoming involved in debt. and


frequently provokes the not always just
reflection that 'there is extravaganza


somewhere


Experience teaches US that the wisest


administration possesses as little power


over the expenses as over the receipts OF
the city. The bulk of the disbursements


are prescribed by law, and claimants,


armed with both law and equity in their
favor demand and receive full payment.
The item of interest on bonds for instance


is simply beyond the control OF the
Council They are the trustee Of the fund
collected, or which the law directs to be


collected for the redemption of the


coupons. This item foots up something


over million and half year. and the


integrity of this fund depends, Of course


upon the ability Of the administrators 20
collect. Then comes the amount to be
paid for salaries, which is so regulated by


law as to allow little or no margin !or
economy. The Mayor and administrators
possesses no power over this except SO fax
as their own salaries are concerned. and
no Just man would require them to serve
the prblis gratis. The costs Of lighting,
curfen: repairs to the streets. exsinguish.
ing fires. maintaining charities. supporting
the police. the public schools asd
Keeping prisoners ere alike !nex'
orable. Hnd no. susceptible o! much
pairing. These facts were 50 veil i'm.
pressed upon the mind Of Mayor Wilt,
and his associates at the dase .: sheis in.
duction into Office last fall. that ;s was
admitted b. them in private conversation
that they uad undertaken very large
contract. q stupendous responsibility. the
result of which was extremely doubtful.
A representative of the REPUBLICAN pledg-
ed to the Mayor at the time that the new
administration, though opposed to us in
politics, and necessarily opposed to our
friends in the distribution Of patronage.
should receive no partisan or Unjust oppo-
sition at our hands. That as We desired
the prosperity Of the city and the success
of the administration, no matter by what
party, we should be at all times glad to
assist the constituted authorities in their
dificui: duties to the extent Of our ability.
We have .ndeavorei to perform our part.
and can testify tina: as far as we know
the Mayor and his associates have gener.
ally done as well as We had any reason to
expect they could do.


Doubtless the expenditures have been
kept down to as low figure as possible.
With the exception of few small items,
which have appeared from time to time in
the published lists. we have seen nothing
on that side of the account which the mos:
rigid economist could find fault with.
And when we inquire into the other side.
the receipts--we discover many measures
for the more prompt collection Of the
revenue which meet with our approval.
The great cause Of all our financial diff.
entity is TO be found. however. in the ad.
ministratior of the receipts. And as no
one can justly charge the Mayor or any
other member of the city government with
remissness in receiving money when offered
or with neglecting to call the attention Of
the taxpayers to their unpertormed duty.
the REPUBLICAN feels in honor bound to
defend the Democratic administration
from any sin o: omission in this
respect. All the city officials. then.
having performed or been 3: :ll
tines ready to perform their parts
promptly. faithfully and inte!ligent!y. it
follows that the fault lies with the people
themselves. Too many Of ou: property
holders are amenable to the charge Of
having neglected John Eandolph's maxim
to .pay as you co." which he interrupted