New Orleans Republican., 1868-09-17

without considerable expense, and would
not be as strong as before the injury.
Hence, independent of the ordinary wear
and tear, the laying down of gas and water
pipes would render the pavement an almost
incessant object of care and expense.
When it is remembered that the charter
provides that the city shall keep in repair
| all paved and unpaved streets, the perti-
nency of these remarks will be apparent,
Assuredly the section creating this corpor-
ate duty means that such streets shall be
kept in repair by its salaried agents and
or individuals holding a patent from the
Government of the United States for
right to the exclusion of competitors. The
paving of street is public work." to
which city, on one part, and the low
est bidder, on the other, contract to
execute. Any other manner Of disposing
| of such contract is opposed to the spirit
and intent of the trainers of our charter, for
this very plain reason; the cit . government
was instituted for the benefit Cf tire people
not of monopolies. It is Cover, lent OF
checks and balances, the object of which is
| just and economical administration of its
affairs. While its contracts are exposed TO
| public auction on the score Of economy, the
trainers of the charter intended that the
citizens who maintain the government
should have equal rights in competing for
| such profits as necessarily result from labor,
| enterprise and capital.
cannot affix my signature to a Joint re-
solution authorizing me TO make the city a
| party TO contract by nOtarial act in e$.
| press violation of law; anG were l vested
with such authority, it would be my duty to
| protect the interest of the city by withhold.
| ing my approval from measure which, in
my Judgment, is ineXpedient, calculated to
foster monopoly, and give rise to unpleas-
ant and expensive litigation.
| JOHN R. CONWAY, Mayor.
The Treasurer's report for the week end
ing September IL, 1865, showing receipts for
the week S2S, ,34s 10, expenditures S26, ,2G5 IS,
balance on hand S379,76 So, was referred
to the Finance Committee.
The following letter Of resignation from
the City Attorney was received:
OFFICE CIrY ATTORNEY,
|. New Orleans, September lj 1865.
To the President of the Board of Assistant Alder.
SRI have the honor TO tender my re-.
signation, to take effect as soon as my sue
| cessor qualities.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
On motion of Mr.. Farrell, the resignation
off. B. Eustis, City Attorney, was accepted.
Mr.. Fisher, having obcained suspension
of the rules, introduced the following reso-
luton, which was adopted and transmitted
to the Upper Board for concurrence:
Resolued, That the Board of Aldermen be
and are hereby requested to meet this Board
in joint session, at eight O'Clock this even
ing, for the purpose OF electing City Attor-
ney, to fill the uneypired term Of j. u.
Eustis, Esq, resigned.
The following communication from the
Mayor was received:
MAYoRALTY OF NEW ORLEANS,
City Hail. September A. 1868. )
To the Honorable Common Council:
GENTLENEN: 1t becomes my duty as Mayor
of the city of New Orleans to call your special
attention to the fact that Mai or Williamson,
Chief OF Police, allowed to-day, MS you are
aware. the police to leave their posts as
guardians of the life, limbs, and property of
the people of the city, and gather for hours
around the City Hall to demand payment
for past services.
Not only was this connived at by the Chief
of Police, but he voluntarily headed dele
cation who came into my parlor at the City
Hall, while II great crowd of the police
awaited the action of said delegation outside
the building. Nor this alone. The Chief
quietly stood by and acquiesced, by his
silence, in the threat of one of the speakers
vi lLlt uGlGShIlOls tldb tllb pOllJC luIGuuGu
to seize the City Hall and prevent any bust
ness being transacted by the elected officials
until paid. 1t is due to the dignity of the
city government that the Chief OF Police
should be publicly censured for his dilpo-
sition to second breach of the peace.
Now, so far as the police force are con-
cerned, deeply sympathize with their uu-
fortunate condition, Had it not been for
eX-AIayOr Heath and the brokers, the finances
of the city would now be in healthy con-
dition, l need not recapitulate the events
of the past, known as the Sheridan era, for
every one is familiar with them. 1t is
enough to say that the grossest maladminis-
ministratioG has reduced us to the
direst extremity. In view of this, it
is the settled plan of the enemies of
the present administration, who trade in
politics as in merchandise, to break down,
and if that can not be done by mobocratic
influence, to destroy the present admins
tration.
DESTROYS of doing everything in my power
to pay the police force, respectfully recon.
mend that a Joint resolution be passed au-
thorizing that the said police and other
employees of the city be paid in greenbacks
or their equivalent in city money. If green
backs can not be raised, then l advise that
the Treasurer be authorized to pay the
above liabilities in city money, allowing
the discount or difference between city
money and United States Treasury notes.
l deeply sympathize with the sufferings of
the police and other employees, many of
whom are not able to purchase the neces-
saries of life for their families. l am anX-
ious they should be paid as speedily as
possible, and when this is accomplished we
can have abundance of leisure to look about
us and see what is best to be done for the
further interests of the city.
Very respectfully,
JOHN R. CONWAY, Mayor.
1Tessrs. Breen and Grandpr6 here entered
and took their seats.
Mr.. Fisher, having obtained a suspension
of the rules, introduced tine following resolu-
ton, which was adopted on its several read
ings with the following vote:
Yeas; Messrs. Kearny, Rose, Walker,
Pemberton, Sturcken, Fisher, Pandely,
Wynne, Farrell and Breen-l0.
Nays: Messrs. Camp and Grandpr6-2.
WHEREAS. A large number of the police
of the city left their respective beats and
assembled in Lafayette Square this morn
ing, and there appointed committee to
wait upon the Mayor to demand the back
pay due the force; and
Whereas. One of said committee did
threaten and notify the Mayor that If the
police force was not paid on or before Mon
day next that the whole force would take
possession of the city treasury ana pay them
selves; and
Whereas, The Chief of Police, who was
preseut and cognizant of these facts, and
made no personal effort to stay the threat
ening and riotous conduct Of said police
Resolued, That in the opinion of the City
Council the present Chief of Police has