The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-10
Common Council.
Board Of Assistant Aldermen.

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Board Of Assistant Aldermen.
The board met last evening in regular session.
President KearDy in the chair, and the following
memb bers present-Messrs. Rose, Aitkens, Walker,
Pemberton. Camp, Montgomery, sturcken, Fisher.
Morphy, Pandely, Wynne, Farrell and Breen.
The treasurer's report was read and showed
for week ending February 9th: Receipts $242, ,002,
expenses $27 900. balance $429 ,l60.
A report from Street Commissioner Murphy
was presented, in which he stated that although
the contracts for keeping In repair the paved
streets Of the Third District were duly sdudcated
and given TO John Crowley, the said John Crowley
has not yet commenced work nor given notidca-
tion of the commencement of the work where.
fore, the street commissioner asks the considera-
ton OF the council to be given to the matter. Re-
ferred to committee on streets and landings.
Also that the contractors to whom was adjudi.
Gated the repairing of the bridges of the First,
Second and Fourth Districts have given notice
that they are ready to begin work. he reports
the ballast roads in bad condition. Referred to
committee on streets and landings.
The committee to whom was referred the side
show question reported that in their opinion 1t is
the duty of the street commissioner TO remove
such shows distractions. That official, how
ever, has been restrained, as far as the Ames
show Is concerned, by orders from the mayor !;
still it is his duty to discharge his duty. The
mayor is urged To use his specials for the suppress
sion of these shows. Also that the mayor has at.
tended TO the suppression Of the obnoxious busi-
mits allowing such business have been revoked.
message from the mayor was read, vetong
the ordinance appointing receivers OF the market
dues. The message was laid over until the next
meeting OF the board.
Another message from the mayor was read,
stating that after seven months of srduous toll the
commissioners OF the Water Works have ami.
csbly adjusted the accounts between the city and
the Commercial Bank. He stated that the com.
missioners have worked entirely without compen-
sation ard suggested that measures should be
taken 10 repay them for their lsbors. The fol.
lowing document was inclosed. II is communi-
cation from Braxton Bragg, superintendent OF
the Water Works, TO the board Of commissioners
of the Water Works
OFFICE OF WATER WORKS.
New Orleans, March S, 1869.
To the PRESIDENT and members OF the Board OF Commission
ere, City Water Works:
Genaemera-lt becomes my duty to invite your
attention TO the suspension OF payments by nearly
all water-re nters under the present unsettled con-
dition of officers, and to suggest some action as a
remedy.
In establishing the present tariff Of rates you
acted under the understanding that you were to
raise sufficient revenue TO meet:
l. The interest Of the bonds paid for
Water Works.. s..-............-...... $4,000
2. The current expenses of the works
averaged since the war. .......-.. 5000
). Current repairs. ..................-.. ZO,OOO
Total. l...-................-.. .SlIOOO0
L. You ,were to deliver the public supply Of
water without charge.
This ia All average Of the revenue for the last
year.
The communication goes on to state that though
the Board of Water Works has much decreased
the rates private houses, from SIS to $40, then
to $s and increased public establishments that
use water an article of trade and profit, the
dissatisfaction has been great amongst the citi-
zens many of whom seem TO have thought that
after the city got control of the works, the water
would cost them nothing As compulsory collec-
tion OF the rates has been suspended, the amount
collected is not fifty per cent. of what has been
collected in past years. The superintendent sug-
gests that the city shall relieve the Water Works
Of the interest on the bonds, and also pay it for
Ihe water and for public purposes. Louis
vile pays eleven million to twelve million dollars
ter year TO the Water Works for public purposes.
Let New Orleans do the same and her Water
Works will be selfsustaining at little cost to the
consumers. The whole matter was referred to
the committee on Water Works.
A communication from the city attorney was
received stating that an appeal has been taken
by the city in the case of Belot VS.. city of New
Orleans, in which the Fifth District Court gave
Belot $40, COO damages. Referred to finance CON-
mittee. Also recommending compromise In the
of the opening OF Royal and Chartres streets
Referred to delegation from the Third District.
communication from the chief engineer of the
fire department was received complaining of great
scarcity of water for the use of the department,
and asking action of the council in the premises.
Referred TO committee on 1res.
resolution adjudicating the collection of
lice upon all peddlsrs etc., for $4750, to F. B.
Fernandez, was finally passed.
resolution donating 5000 to the Mechanics
| and Agricultural Fair Association came up. Mr..
Montgomery thought that the MetaiFie Course had
IS much right to claim $4,000 as had the Mechanics
and agricultural Fair Association.
Mr.. Sturcken also opposed the resolution be-
cause the city cannot afford u, and can better
spend her money in bridges and roads. IL is an
utroO n ~ W bn hQ n1a nd
pockets of rich people, like the Mechanics and
Agricultural Fair Association.
Mr.. Breen thought that the feir will bring at
least half million of dollars TO the city, besides
encouraging trade and manufactures.
Mr.. Farrell stated that the council has already
given $l2 600 to have street for the express
benefit of the Fair Grounds and this made sl7 900.
The council must beware how 1t spends the city s
money, for it does not belong to the members of
| the council.
Mr. Pemberton wss in favor of encouraging the
ascot; ion.
Mr.. Sturcken thought that the $4,000 could better
| be applied in building the City Park, or in for
| wsrding other needed public improvements.
The resolution was lost by tie vote.
A resolution appropriating $4,000 for repairs TO
the City Park was introduced, when Mr.. Fisher
moved to again take up the resolution appro.
| priatng 5000 to the Fair Grounds Association,
| stating he would vote for both. Both resolu.
| tons were laid upon the table by 10 5.
The committee on streets and landings reported
| ysriously On various contracts.
| The committee on Work Honse, Boys House
| of Refnge and Parish Prison reported the build
| ings in fair condition. They recommend that the
| House Of Befuqe be farmed out TO the highest
| bidder. Also an ordnance ordering the nsces-
sary repairs to be made to the Parish Prison.
| Referred to committee on buildings and improve
| ments.
| they also reported an ordinance ordering the
| farming out of the Boys House of Rufuge. 0rdi-
4 nance laid over snbje to call
The committee on water works reported tnat
| they have obtained no report from the board of
comm issioners of the Water Works and are there
| fore rot posted regarding that institution.
| Mr.. Hose moved TO reconsider the vote by which
| st the last meeting the ordinance ordering the
shelpg Of PoeyfaTre street was lost. Mr.. Camp
moved TO table the motion. Lost. The motion to
reconsider then prevailed By to G, when the reso-
| luton was pos poned.
| The Defifion az John Caloman K ca. aakn0 an