New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-09
DEPARTMENT OF IMPROVEMENTS.

DEPARTMENT OF IMPROVEMENTS.
This branch of the new city govern
ment is most important one, for. as its
name implies, all public Improvements OF
a municipal character will emanate from
and be pushed forward by the Administrator
OF the Department of improvements.
This officer, it is believed, has larger
sphere of duties under the now city gov
eminent than the Street Commissioner IN
der the old, whose duties have been merged
in the Department Of Improvements.
Upon the energy and promptitude of the
man who stands at the head of this de-
partment will depend the future good
condition of our streets, bridges,
wharves and public buildings. Un-
| der the old government and admins
tration the streets, wharves, bridges and
public buildings of this city, have been
criminally neglected, and may truthfully
be said to be in worse condition at this
time than at any former period within the
recollection of our people; no! that i'm
mense sums of money have not been spent
for such purposes, but that money has been
| squandered without accomplishing the
much needed improvements.
We should Judge that General West
means to give the much needed improve
ment in this respect, for he has promptly
gone to work. He has already advertised
for proposals for furnishing both lumber
aud shells with which the streets, bridges
and wharyes are TO be put in proper order.
There is nothing, perhaps, that so much
mars the beauty of city as to see its
streets in filthy and dilapidated condi-
ton, its bridges and wharves rotten and
insecure, its public buildings neglected,
and, in some instances, insecure, and its
parks, public squares, market-houses, etc,
not in perfect order. This condition of
things not only mars the beauty of city,
but it obstructs business. and endangers
the health of it's people. The good condi-
ton of our public thoroughfares, market
houses, etc., must necessarily have much
to do with preserving and establishing the
healthful character of the city.
1t is believed that New Orleans has unr
necessarily earned for herself character
in the past that by cleanliness in the
future may be avoided. She has the repu-
tation of being subject to disease that
often takes an epidemic form. Experience
has shown that this can be avoided. TIE
rigid course of cleanliness pursued by
General Butler, when be had military
control Of this city. showed conclusively
the good effects to be derived therefron.
His enemies had hoped that Yellow Jack,
the disease that had been so fatal to many
in New Orleans in former times, would
prove the conquerer of him and his brave
command, who had taken forcible pos
session of place that their valor could |
not hold. The enemies of General Butler |
felt confident that he and his gallan. |
troops would have finally to succumb to
the fell destroyer that had slain SO many |
before his advent in the Crescent City. |
But he thought differently, and went to
work to prove TO his enemies that he was |
right. He demonstrated to them that
even Yellow Jack could be disarmed and |
shorn of his terrors. He had the city |
thoroughly cleaned, and kept it so during
his stay in it, and thus avoided the horrors
of disease in the form of an epidemic.
The Administrator of the Department |
of improvements has no doubt heard Of
the great reformation that was made by
General Butler in the health of this city
during his stay in it, and for some time
afterward, by looking to its sanitary con-
dition; and having done so has been
taught lesson that may be again put in
practice with the same good effect. The
Improvement Of our streets can not fail
TO assist in the improvement of the per-
nanent health of New Orleans, and who
ever accomplishes this will be regarded as
nents, under the present city government,
ne necessarily important in their double
no single department has
more important work to accomplish for
he public good than the Department of
AS health must add to
ne happiness and beauty of the person,
o will an energetic and judicious admin
stration of the Department of Improve
nents add to the beauty and health of our
ity.
SALE OF JACKSON RAILROAD STOCK.