New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-06-28


Respectfully submitted.
r, WYNNE,
GERALD FARRELL,
W. H. PEMBERT0N.
On motion of Mr.. Breen the Board took a |
recess of three quarters of an hour, at the |
expiration of which Mr.. Breen moved to go
into permanent organization, the election
Of president, a secretary, a sergeantrat-
arms of this Board, and the chairmen of the
different committees.
Mr.. Kearny was nominated and received
the unanimous vote of the Board, and was
declared duly elected president of the
Board.
Mr.. John Tobin was nominated tor the
Office of secretary of the Board, received
the unanimous vote of the Board, and was
declared duly elected.
Mr.. Charles Fonda was unanimously
elected sergeant-atarms.
Mr.. Goldthwaite was unanimously elected
chairman of the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Gerald Farrell was unanimously
elected chairman of the Committee on
Streets and Landings.
Mr.. Robert Wynne was elected chairman
OF the Committee on Police and Health.
Mr.. Tomatis was elected chairman Of the
Committee on Fire.
Mr.. Pandely was elected chairman of the
Committee on Education.
Mr.. Pandely was elected chairman OF the
Committee on Workhouse and Prisons.
| Mr.. Breen was elected chairman of the
Committee on improvements and Buildings.
The following message of the Mayor was
read, and ordered spread upon the minutes:
STATE OF LOUISIANA,
| Mayoralt OF New Orleans,
| Uity Hall, June l6, 1858
] To the Honorable the Board of Assistant Alder.
/ men;
GENTLEMEN-In the whole history OF fnu-
| nicipal elections and organizations | am
aware of no occasion which furnishes
| parallel to that which attends the inaugurR-
ton of the new city government. Peculiar
and laborious duties devolve upon you;
| great and unfortunate constituency anxious
| " look for such aid as wise legislation on
| your part, and faithful execution of laws
and ordinances on my part, necessarily
afford.
| The coordinate branches of our newly
| organized city government are now
| fortunately composed of that conservative
element DESTROYS alike of the protection and
prosperity of the people of New Orleans and
| the welfare of the State at large. The
| great party which elevated us to power
expects such reformatory measures as will
make our administration SO marked as to
form striking contrast with the public
acts of our late predecessors. Such reforms
| will superinduce spirit of confidence in
the city government lamentably weakened,
if not destroyed, by officials who should
| have strengthened and sustained it.
At no time, therefore, since the organiza-
| pf bn off thaFa hRRn
| such necessity for wise counsel, prudent
and impartial legislation, and rigid adj
herence to those principles which govern
lust and upright men in official po'
sitions. The influence of this great
commercial emporium of the South
is not confined to the limits of Louisiana.
For good or evil the acts of its officers fur
nish examples for those holding public
trusts in adjacent and even distant towns
and cities. Nor is it confined alone to these
places, for States are not uninhuenced by
the course pursued by a city whose ships
whiten every sea, and whose name and deeds
are known and made the subject of applause
or reproach in foreign as we'll rs domestic
localities.
War and pestilence have been melancholy
retarders of the growth and prosperity OF
our city. But not alone to these evils
, can be aseribed the present stagnation in
business and consequent lack OF progression.
III 4
ills that follow want Of confidence in the
fidelity of an administration, have had O
blighting influence upon our credit al
home and abroad. Prominent, in fact
the most prominent evil which
afiicts our city, is the deplorable condition
of our finances. single year has sufficed
to bring about such depreciation of city
notes as was never contemplated by ouI
citizens. These notes, once received as
readily as national currency by every one
engaged in trade, are now at such a dis
count as to require wise and vigorous
action on the part of the new city govern
} ment in order to retrieve our credit. De
! cried at first by an executive officer, rising
and falling in value according to the
caprice, interest, and design of spectators,
pubic confidence in city money was and ID
, yet SO impaired IS to render It almoot value
less for purposes of traffic. Unfortunately,
these fluctuations and this destruction Of
confidence ii the legal validity of the
, issue affected the poor Of the city,
. and reduced thousands to absolute want.
| While the spectators were realizing large
gains from the work of enemies Of city
currency the poor who received 1t for labor
or service Of any kind as the prevailing
local circulating medium were unable e
purchase the ordinary articles OF food with
| out suffering such loss as brought starvation
to their heartstones.
/, Among the measures suggested for retir
I | ing city notes is lottery scheme, with
: which you are already familiar. Howeve
well such scheme might work In Europe
! it would, in my Judgment, prove who'll.
4 impraoticable here. Thoughtful people re
Igard lotteries of every description as
/. refined species of public gambling
and this projected lottery iRstea'
of inspiring confidence would b
looked upon as discreditable TO the city, In
effectiVe in its results, and q plan to fill tn
Golfers of fewmoneyed spectators. We are
r not in such inextricable difficulty as 70 Il,
to such extremes for relief The good taitl
, of the city is pledged for the redemption
i every dollar Of its currency and with II
public property, It's rentals, ana tax re
sources, there can be no doubt that thu
legal and moral responsibility will be tull.
} met at no distant day. This patent fact ha
]. been overlooked by all save the shrewd
). whose interest 1t is to create pantcs, an'
profit by them. no matter what amount
y suffering may result.
vi I have faith In the speedy restoration Q
b public confidence. believe that remeule
. can be adopted which will reach and e.
+. 'fectually cure our present financial disorder
o And In this connection ] respectfully sue
Rest that q financial commission, compose
q Of twelve Of our best citizens and aoles
i fnanciera, be appointed TO consult vii
your honorable body and the members
ie the Board Of Aldermen, with power TO ca
a for books and papers, that means may 3
devised to extricate us from our preser
financial endorsements without delay.
!. commission 80 created would feel q weigi
Of responsibility commensurate with n
expectations and necessities OF the pahili
u and hence work with that vigor and singl
ness Of purpose that would pflns o.