The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-30

The motion was put, and failing to receive the
necessary two.thirds vote, was declared defeated.
The following communication from the city sur
veyor was read and referred to the committee on
streets and landings:
| SURVIVORS, OFFrcE,
Room No. Is. City Hall.
- City OF New Orleans, July q, 1861
To the Honorable the Common Council Board of Assistant
Gentlemen-It becomes my duty to inform your
honorable body that Mr. Dennis Cronsn the con.
tractor for running the Bienyille street draining
machine, hasfailed up to the present day to full
hl the provisions Of his contract and that the re.
pairs Of the main wheel engine and boilers, which
we're TO be done by the LIST OF February last, are
not yet completed.
The security against overflow left to the in
habitants of that part OF the city lying between
the river Julia street. the Metaire road, the Bayou
st. John and Toulouse street, rests upon the
ability OF an old, worn-out engine TO perform the
work required and in case of accident the greater
part of this section would have TO remain under
water; a very gloomy prospect for people who
have paid such heavy tax Tor the drainage OF
their section. .-.-..-.. .....--
Allow me, at the same time, to call your atten-
ton TO the bad condition OF our draining canals
they all. more or less, filled up. and their re-
duced capacity as reservoirs, Is one Of the many
canses of the overlooking OF streets and banquettes
after rain, which has been so justly complained OF
lately.
Several of these canals have been aIo we'd to be
filed and otherwise rendered useless; measures
ought to be adopted at once to restore them to
their former use.
Additional canals will have also TO be dug,
and l will principally recommend one 10 the
center of Claiborne street., from Julia TO Toulouse
street. as one of the principal means 10 relieve
that portion of the city, between the river and
Claiborne street. of being SO long under water
after the least rain.
Our city having to rely entirely upon artificial
drainage, IT is impossible to carry ii out without
canals of sufficient capacity to receive and lodge
the waters as fast as they accumulate.
The contracts for cleaning and widening all the
draining canals ought to be sold about the middle
of next month, so as to give time to the Common
Council TO approve or reject the different bids be.
fore the month Of September, time at which the
work must begin, the fall season being the most
propitious for that description of work.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. SURGI, City Surveyor.
The treasurer's report for the week ending July
25, 1868, showing receipts $4l ,l9S 46; expendi.
lures, none balance on hand $l92, 59s g, was
received. .I
Mr. Fisher, chairman finance committee, sub
mitted the following minority report on the reso-
luton therein embodied. The report was read
and received:
r- FINANCE COMMITTEE ROOM
No. 20, CRY HALL,
New Orleans. July 49, 1865. J
GeTatlemen-I beg TO submit the minority re-
port Of the finance committee on the following
resolution adopted in the Board OF Aldermen,
sent to you for concurrence, and referred to this
committee:
"ResolUed, That from and after the passage of
this resolution it shall not be lawful for the con-
trolleT to warrant on the treasurer, nor FOR the
treasurer to pay any warrant unless resolution
authorizing the issuing of said warrant shall have
| passed the Common Council and have been duly
! promulgated"
In the opinion of your committee, the ordinances
already in existence provide sufficient safeguards
10 the city treasury and il only requires that each
department of the city government shall comply
strictly with existing laws TO secure the city
against fraud or imprudent expenditure.
Under the resolution as adopted by the Board
| Of Aldermen, the controller cannot warrant on
| The treasurer for the pay rolls OF the public
schools, police, city officers and clerks, laborers
engaged on the public works. the quarterly pay
| meDt Of the orphan asylums, the amounts due on
contracts adjudlcated according to law, until the
pay rolls bills. etc., are referred to the finance
| committee, thence to the Board OF Assistant Al
| deTmen, where, unless the rules are suspended,
they have lay over one meeting before the board
can pass them on a second reading; thence to the
| Board of Aldermen, where the same delays occur.
| The resolutions or ordinances must then be en-.
crossed, cent TO the mayor for his signature and
PRONUNCIATION. In other words, the resolution re-
| quires delay of from fifteen TO thirty,fve days
| istng ordinances and contracts.
as the ordinances require that all claims against
the city not provided for by contract, or by the
appropriation in the annual budget, or by special
appropriation, shall be passed upon by the Conn
mon Council before payment, it appears to your
committee that the foregoing resolution, while II
sccomplishes no good, is calculated to create con-
| fusion and to embarrass the administration OF the
| city government.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
tn. +. FISHER,
| OF Finance Committee.
The following report Of the finance committee
| was received:
OFFICE OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE,
ROOM No. %, CITY HALL,
| New Orleans, July Is, ls6S.
To the Honorable President and Members Of the Board
/ Assistant Aldermen:
| Collaboration committee beg leave to with
draw the two resolutions offered at the last meet
| ing of your board, in relation to an agreement
| with the Carondelet Canal and Navigation Com
| psny and Louis Gagnet, lessee, granting certain
privileges 70 the city, and substitute the following
| which cover the same ground, comprise the same
| privileges with the same conditions aud were
| drawn up in accordance with suggestions Of the
Respectfully submitted.
Tn F. FISHER,
Chairman Finance Committee Board Of Assistant
ALFRED KEARNY,
/ R. WYNNE.
A suspension Of the rules was granted to allow
the introduction by Mr.. Fisher of the following
resolutions, which were read, and on motion Of
Mr.. Farrell, referred to the city attorney;
/ l. Resolved, That the mayor be and heis author
| lied TO enter into contract with Louis Gsgnet
lessee of Csrondelet Canal and NaviganoI
Company for the exclusive privilege OF using fol
the draining Of the city all that portion of the bed
| of Bayou St. John extending from the mouth o
CaTondelet canal. following said bayou to the
| f. or lower side of st. Ann street, according e