The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-05-21

have received in the retaining of these two men,
and will now state other, which is still more
annoying Previous to the year 1850, the Recor-
der had the privilege of appointing the watchmen,
but the Council in that yielding to the law, were
| obliged to elect the watchmen. At that time
special constable was allowed the Recorder.
Mr.. Shields called upon his honor to refrain from
mentioning that subject, as it would arouse more
feeling than he might be aware of.
| Mr.. Vontagen wished Mr. Caldwell to proceed.
| The Recorder resumed.-Ths special constable
was unsought for, and on this occasion the Second
Municipality Council had elected one without
knowing whether he would please the Recorder.
and without inquiring or trying to learn whether
he would rather have the late incumbent re.elect-
ed. On the morning the new special constable en-
tered upon his duties, and presented his commits.
sion Ireceived letter, addressed by three citizens
complaining of his conduct, and suspended him
and sent that letter to the Police Committee, but
no report has been made upon it. He is now on
duty, but not with me, and will state to the
Council that do not wish to oppose the passing
Of any ordinance, but the Council have no right
to appoint special constable for me without my
sanction, and against my wish.
Mr.. Lawrason said that he would insist on the
rules of the Council being adhered to in future,
| especially Rule Eight which stated that the Re-
corder should take part in any debate, but only
preside the Council and give the casting vote
His motion for reference Of the letter to the Police
Committee was now in order.
Mr.. Etter said he should object to serve on the
Police Committee il that letter referred to it,
On the motion being put, six members voted for
reference to the Police Committee, and eight
against it.
Mr.. Lawrason then moved that the letter be laid
on the table, which was carried by vote of eia hit
to seven.
motion granting the Lyceum Hall for the use
of the Opelousas Railway Convention, on the 9TH
of June, was carried.
The following persons were elected as Lamp
lighters in the place Of persons found to be un.
qualified: A. Oschell, ]. Andrews and Jacob
Mitchell.
The following persons were elected as supernu.
merary Watchmen: William Smith, John Dunn,
E. Whipple, Michael Barrett, Thomas Faon,
William MITCHELL P. Mccormick, B. Foster VIM
Delaney and Patrick Martin.
Reports from several Committees were brought
up and adopted.
The subject of setting apart two rooms for an
Armory in the Municipal Hall, was referred back
to the committee, and report to sell the present
House OF Refuge, was ordered to lie over.
Mr.. Yancey moved resolution calling upon the
Surveyor to report if there was any evidence of
the late contract for sand having been performed.
He wished to state how it was that he concurred
in the payment of the sand bill to Pat Ward, and
| tha ,ybr ba -
The bill was required to be passed by the Com.
mittee on Streets and Landings, before it was sent
to the Finance Committee. He objected to the
bill for sand, but it brought to him by the
Chairman Of the Finance Committee who said it
was all right, and he agreed to it; therefore, no
blame could be attached to him, and no one could
say he was wanting in his duty.
Patrick Ward had agreed to supply the NUM-
| cipality with three thousand cubic yards of sand
annually, but there no evidence of his having
| completed his contract in the Surveyors depart
| ment, and when he found that out he was sorry
that he had passed the bill. The contract was for
| repairing the pavement of the Streets as well as
delivering the sand, and any which might be left
belonged to the Municipality. He thought they
had not received the proper quantity, and it was
the duty of the Chairman of the Committee on
Streets and Landings to see that the contract was
complied with before the bills were paid. But who
was this man that could readl get bills through
the Committee? Why he was one who wanted
to get the contract for year more that the speciet
time and when he found that he could not do so
he sent his brother-in-law man of straw, to buy
the contract, and he took il SO low that he could
| not do it, or find securities for the completion Of
the work, and Pat Ward still had the supplying of
| sand Another person also took the contract before
| him, and yet Pats carts were employed to draw
| the sand. The Commissaries of the Wards had
| the matter in their hands-stll Pats draymen
were employed.
| This same Pat Ward had contract to carry the
sick to the hospital, but he neglected to doso and
went to the Commissaries of the different Wards
| and got the names of those who had been taken
there, and then demanded payment from the Coun-
Gil for this duty, and after this he got the original
certificates from the Commissares, and demanded
payment second time. He also had privilege
| to put sand the Levee and to keep it there for
private sale. The Surveyor thought this sand was
public property, and after the contract was ended
he sent men to remove it, but Pat demanded paw
ment for it, and brought claim against the Coun-
Gil for the money. Some difficulty arose about the
measurement, and it referred to Mr.. Grant
who made it considerably more than it had beer
previously measured.
Mr.. Yancey read letter from the Surveyor, and
one from each of the two late Commissares, both
| of whom said that the holes in the street had
been filled up with dirt, and that only fe load.
| of sand had been used in the Streets Dirt had
| also been thrown a vacant lot belonging to Tur.
| ner and Renshaw, and the contract, in hi.
opinion, had not been complied with He spoke %
iooseness in the conducting of the Surveyors De-
| partment, and said that the committees ought tc
look to this subject.
Mr.. Renshaw rose to reply, and said he was not
surprised that he was singled out, and that the
gentleman had expended all his venom upon him
He commenced by talking about the bill of S1lOO
which was paid for sand, and to which his sigma
ture was attached. Mr.. Grant called upon him
several times, and said he could not do without the
sand and he must have it, and he stated that he
could not get it better than from Ward
Was there anything improper in his giving Mr.
Grant the order to get the sand when was reouir
ed. The Surveyor never said the sand belonged
| to Ward, who was under the impression that he
had to get sand for the Municipality for another
year He wanted to get three piles of sand, bur
he Mr.. Renshaw] told him to get one at time, as
he wanted it, for if the river got low it would be.
| come cheaper.
He said nothing about the committee having no
authority to order the sand; and the bill which was
presented for payment introduced to tina,
Council by special resolution, and not Struggled
| through, and there was an opportunity then for