New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-03-10
THE COMMON COUNCIL.
BOARD on, ASSISTANT ALDERMEN,
SATURDAY, list March, 1865,

the May0rIat nalIepabt sl4 oiook. 1. w.
Members present. Honorable %. L. Tracy,
President; Messrs. Banister, Bartlette, Bridge,
Chambers, Chiapella, Eager, Fabre, Gitfen,
Guyol, Hebrard, Mcknight, Rawlins, Stith,
Thayer md Violett-l6. ~a. ,a-
" On motion, the reading Of the journal was
dispensed with "~s n-"E y
The following message from the Mayor was
read:
City Hall, March l, 1856. !
To the President and Members Of the
81 Board of Assistant Aldermen:
GENrLEMEN: AT the request of Messrs. Eager, Gift
fen, Bridge, Hebrard and Chiapella members Of your
body have caused you to be convoked for this day
Those gentlemen will explain the object. ~.
AN''p''''',jNo . LLEwIs, Mayor.
Mr.. Eager moved that the Board 60 into
secret session. Carried.
Yeas-Messrs Bridge, Chambers, Chiepella,
Eager, Gifen, Hebrard, Mcknight, Rawlins
and Violett-9.
Nays-Messrs. Banister, Bsrtlette, Fabre,
Guyol, stith and Thayer--6.
Mr.. Howell took his seat.
Mr.. Eager stated that the object of the
meeting was in regard to the matters stated in
the following report, offered by him, which was
read: A
The Finance Committee deem it their duty TO lay
before the Council the following statement in regard
10 the Treasury Department:
this Council hisannunl statement, showing the receipts
and expenditures for the year 1855.
In investigating this, report your committee found
that from the showing there was large deficiency in
the receipts from various sourcesi mose particularly
in the State appropriation for School purposes and
from The Commercial Water Works.
By the Comptrolers report there had been received
but S3l,s54, from the State. Upon bringing the
matter the notice of the Treasurer, he reported
upon his books, the sum, of $27, 1874, having
been paid 10 him the Goth of January, 1885, Sub
sequent investigation has proved to your committee
that this was paid to the Treasurer on the Hin of
April, 1865.
Finding this discrepancy, your committee obtained
from the State Auditor of Public Accounts full State
ment Of all monies paid to The eisy from his fund
apor,onment for 1854, of $I5,940 has never been
credited to the city A statements of his account, To-
geher with that ofhe Treasurer herewith enclosed
These discre pances show that there has been gross
mafeasance in the Treasury Department.
The next matter which attracted the attention of
your committee was the absence of any report on the
books of the city of monies received from the Com
mercial WaterWorks, for dividends due to the city,
In bringing this matter TO the notice of the Treasurer,
he Immediately reported as having received on the
Goth Of January, 1856, the sum OF S6,4O0. Upon ex
animation of the books of the Water Works we find
that of This amount the sum of was paid othe
Treasurer the 18th of March, 1885, and not reported
10 the Comptroller until January &C. 1856 Upon fur
Their investigations, find that the financial divi-
bends of December, 1884, and June 1858; amounting
$4,000 We're paid TO the Treasurer the 18th OF
December, 1858. Which amount has never been
credited to the city charged to the Treasurer on any
We deem il our duty to State thai the receipt given
for this amount was regularly audited and endorsed
by the Comptroller, but owing 10 some neglect was
never entered upon his books.
In matters connected with the Commissioners ofthe
sTrust Fund" department, of which Mr.. Garland has
been Treasurer, we find there is wide discrepancy
between the books of the Commissioners, and The
counts rendered by the Union Bank of New York and
others, showing balance against the Treasurer Of
about S35, 600. For this amount MIR. Garland claims
to have Vouchers bur up to this time we have been
unable 10 procure them.
1t is proper to remark that these discrepancies in
the accounts of1s54, previous to the creation of the
Fiscal Agent.
We would also direct the attention of the Council to
the report of the Treasurer made up the 23d Feb
ruary, showing balance III the Treasury on that day
Under existing ordinances this fund is required to
be deposited in lbe State Bank, elected for that pur-
pose. Upon examining the books of the bank we
found 10 the credit of the Treasurer that day the
s57,29l.
On the Goth February the committee addressed Mr.
Garland the following letter, asking full information
concerning the foregoing statements, and receiving
no answer. On the 18th we again addressed him as
follows: [No.6.l
In answer to which We received the following
reply [Nlr. Garland's Letter.1
In examining Mr.. Garlands repor! 10 the Comptroll-
err made up last evening, of the receipts and expen
dtures Of The week, find that he reports having
received from the Odd to the 28th inclusive, the sum
Der last.
Upon examination at the Bank we find that there
had deposited to the credit OF the treasurer,
ring this time, the sum of $4,000.
II is proper to remark that during The same time in
the previous week. there was collected something
$4,000.
Finding the collections, ifnny, being either
reported 10 the Comptroller deposited in Bank, the
committee deemed it their duty to address the follow
ing letter TO the Comptroer which they delivered to
him this morning, and urged his Immediate action.
We also requested the Mayor to call this meeting,
that we might lay before you these statements, 10 the
end that the Council may relieve us OF any further
responsibility.
The foregoing statements have not been made with
out prudence and caution our par,, nor until We
had called upon the Treasurer to defend himself from
the charges
The following letters, referred to in the above
report, were then read:
No, 6.
FINANCE COMMITTEE ROOM, Feb. IS, 1856.
WIN. II. GARLAND, Esq, Treasurer:
Dear Sir: We have before the Stne Auditors
report of moneys paid to the city of New Orleans from
the school fund beginning in 1882 and ending Febru
airy, 1856.
Upon comparing this statement with the Comptrol
lers reports fnd that the December superintendent
for 1854 for Sl5,9a0 and reported paid on the 30th
December Of that year, is not reported as having been
received. Will you be kind enough to inform the
mitlee whether the said amount has been advised
reported 10 you and whether still due from the State
Treasurer
We also observe that the March, 1855, apportlon-
of 27 1895, reported paid the 9TH of April,
3ls, January, 1856 AS the difference in time is so
great we should be pleased TO receive such explann-
lion rs will make it satisfactory to
In examining the report of the Commercial Wafer
Works, find that The semdividend of 1852 and
1853 and reported paid 10 the city the 18th De-
cembe 1855 has yet been reported upon the books
Of the Comptroller having been received into the
Treasury This item amounts to 8le20o, and is of so
much Importance that think report Is neces-
Gary without any further delay. '.I
We shall be pleased TO receive such information as
will enable 10 understand the matter more fully.
Most respectfully, your ob't servants,
(Sgned) J. EAGER
N. E. BAILEY,
Chairmen Finance Com, Common Council.
T. $. We also observe that the Commercial Water
Works report having paid the 18th March, 1865,
to the city, the of $l9200 for dividend then due,
and upon examination we find the same reported by
ence in time is SO great that we will also ask such
explanation will make the matter more satisfactory
10 us. Most respectfully,
tSignedl ]. EAGER,
N. l.. BAILEY.
Copy AZ
Room OF FINANCE COMMITTEE, Feb. 49, 1856.
WIN. H GARLAND, Treasurer:
Dear Sir; On the 26th we had the pleasure of adj
dressing you note asking for information various
subjects, more particularly concerning the difference
the city of New Orleans from the school appropria-
tons, and the Comptroller's reports, showing some
deficiency in that account.
AS the committee are to have meeting en- Friday
evening, We would ask reply, that we may lay it be-
fore the committee
We will further ask you to report the cause of the
difference between the amount of cash in the Treasury
on the 23d inst,
Say......... ,...'...... .$l42,965 50