New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-02-18
BOARD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN.

BOARD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN.
FRIDAY, Feb Is, 1856.
The Board met this day pursuant to adjourn
ment
Members present: Hon. E L. Tracy, Presi-
dent; Messrs Banister, Bartlette, Giffen, Guyol,
Howell, Landry, Stith, Thayer and Violet
10.
No quorum On motion, the Board took a
recess of twenty minutes, at the expiration Of
which time the roll was again called, and the
following members answered to their names
Hon. Z L. Tracy, President; Messrs. Ban
lister, Barbarin, Bartlette, Bridge, Chambers,
Eager, Giffen, Guyol, Howell, Landry, Stith,
Thayer and Violett---14.
The reading of the minutes was, on motion,
dispensed with.
Mr. Stith submitted the following preamble,
resolution and list of amendments, which were
read
Whereas, experience has demonstrated the i'm
praccab,y of the present city charter, and
Whereas, consulting The experience of those who
have had most TO do with the administration of the
municipal affairs of this city in times past well
those the Immediate representatives of the peo
pie this Board is of the opinion that the amendments 10
The present city charter, hereinafter indicated, will
be both wise and practicable, and acceptable to the
large of the people of the city of New Orleans :
therefore
Resolved That the delegation from the city of New
Orleans IN the Legislature Of Louisna, TO whom
the subject has been REFEREED be, and are hereby
specially requested 10 urge before that body the fol-
lowing amendments to the present city charter:
/. The abolition of the Police Board
9. The investment Of the Mayor with full power ard
responsibility the head of the police of the city, in
his salary TO five thousand dollars per annum
fix his term of Office at four years and make him ineli-
gible for Two consecutive terms.
3. The substitution, with prudent checks and re-
strans, ola single Council III place of The present TWO
Boards OF Council; and making the term Of Office OF
Aldermen Two years. one-half retiring each year.
a. Reorganization of the Recorderships, with view
10 the more equal distribution of their duties reducing
their numbers two: 10 be elected for all thai
portion of the city lying north Of Canal street, and
lending from the river 10 the lake. and to be elected
for all that portion ofhe city south of Canal street, and
extending from the river 10 the lake.
S. Increased power to the city government for the
more energetic enforcement Of lis ordinances.
6. Power to the city government for the more sum-
mary collection of its revenues.
T. Empowering The city 10 appoint special col
lectors of It's revenues.
Comptroller of all public work, and empowering the
city government to have all its public work per fomed
| under lis own supervision
Mr.. Stith moved to take up the amendments
section by section. Carried.
Sec. 1. Adopted unanimously.
Sec. 2. Adopted
Mr.. Mcknight took his.seat.
Sec 5. Adopted
Mr.. Mcknight offered the following as an
addition to the foregoing section, which was
read and adopted:
Thatit is The sense of the Board of Assistant Alder
that the city charter requires The investment of all
legislative power in the city in Board of Aldermen
tweny-seven members elected from the eleven wards
of the city they are at present constituted, viz:
from the First Ward
3 from the SecoRd Ward;
from the Third Ward;
3 from the Fourth Ward;
from the Fifth Ward:
2 from The Sikh Ward;
from the Seventh Ward
9 from the Eighth Ward
from the Ninth Ward;
from tina Tenth Ward;
from the Eleventh Ward.
The number of tweniy-seven 10 he apporoned &C.
corilng 10 census of population taken in November
1856, by duly appointed commissioners at present
provided but each ward be entitled at least one
member One half OF the Board may be 10 be
elected the last lay of March of each year and
| The term of service TO be for two years. Number o.
wards not 10 be Increased.
Section No was read:
Mr.. Mcknight moved to amend by inserting
that the salaries of the Recorders be fixed al
$4 900 each. Carried, and the section az
amended was read and adopted.
Section 5th Adopted
| Section 9th. Mr.. Eager offered the following
as substitute for the foregoing section, which
WAS read and adopted:
| That the Mayor shall have power to close all places
of business oil whatsoever character nr which license
is required, until such license has been paid into The
Treasury And that the stock in tra de and al fixture:
| ceuse i'll preference 10 all other claims.
| Section 7th. Stricken out.
Section 9th. Stricken out.
Mr.. Eager offered the following additiona
amendment, which was read:
SECS 8. That all suits for fines for violations of ht
city ordinances shall be brought before the Recorders
OF the different Districts, snd in all auch they shall
| have full jurisdiction.
Mr.. Bartlette offered the following as sub
stitute for the foregoing, which was read anc
adopted
Power to The Recorders to impose fines for infrac
lions of city ordinances with proper provisions TO
| their collection.
The following additional amendments, were
read:
SECTION TO- The Common Council shall cleo
every two years Assistant City Attorney for eacl
| Recorders District, whose duties and compensation
shall remain as fixed in Section 35th of the presen
charter.
Mr.. Chambers offered the following as 3 sub
stitute for the foregoing, which was read, ane
on motion, laid on the table:
The right of the Council 10 appoint such number Q
Assistant City Attorneys as they may deem proper, +
define their duties and fix their compensation
On motion, Section TO-, in its original form
was adopted
The following additional amendment were
read and adopted
sEcr1oN4 q. The appointment of three Assessors b
the Council every two years. who shall receive $500
each, and who shall be allotted 10 equal assessmen
districts Of the city
The annual appointment by the Council of thre
supervisors of assessments who shall sit for not
thirty days, and revise assessment rolls of the city, an
hear all petitions and complaints against estimates an
valuations of assessors. Their decision shall be fna
SEC IT The Common Council shall have the rigt
of fixing The compensation of the Sheriff. for the main
of pris ners, of defining the duties and hxin
the fees of The Coroner, and the compensation Of a
other officers for which she is liable
The following additional amendment wa
read:
SEC 10. The Comptroller TO be elected by the peopl
every three years, and 10 receive for duties as
present defined 1900 per annunl.
Mr.. Violet offered the following as sub
stitute for the foregoing, which was read, ON
on motion, laid on the table:
Empowering The City Council 10 elect Comptroll,
with salary Of 81 ,OoU per annum.
On motion the original amendment wa
adopted.
The following additional amendment was reat
and on motion, laid on the table:
SEC. IA. Empowering the city 10 employ all viii
| persons, male aud female, not under sixteen years
age, and who are committed as Migrants, in ceanir
the streets, or doing amy other public work.
The following additional amendment was rea
} and adopted:
SEC. 49, The Common Council shall have the rig
to all descriptions Of property valuabes in II
manner they may oeem best calculated equitably
apporton the burthen of taxation upon the members
the community.
The following additional amendment was res
and adopted
SEC 16. The veto of the Mayor shall be only S
aside upon vote of three -Ourihs of members elect
Power of impeachment given 10 tWo-lhirds of mer
her. elect The charges shall be preferred by a, lea
one member from each of four different Wards
On motion of Mr. Stith it, was resolved thu