New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-09
NECESSITY FOR MUNICIPAL REFORM.

Gratis, Conservatives or ex-rebels. Eel
lows, Kaiser & Co., for a wonder, still re-
main in the background. But a certain
ring of men, professedly Republican IN
political principles, who have wormed
themselves into the confidence OF our
party and good positions at the same
time, appear TO be guilty of reprehensible
acts. AS the report goes, the Common
| Council of Jefferson find it difficult to any
longer restrain their natural propensities,
and have begun to prepare for the break
ing up they see ahead in the proposed city
charter. The following statement will
give a pretty fair idea Of the case, as it
stood on Monday:
The scheme was to sell contracts for
Smelling, dltchiDg and bridging a large
nun. Der of streets, for building sidewalks
and laying wooden walks almost Gd 6tiu2n.
The ordinance passed on Saturday last was
advertised on Sunday, and the proposals
were 10 be in by ten O'Clock A. NJ, on Mon
day yesterday. Fortunately Governor
Warmoth. learning of the transactions, i'm
mediately ordered the proposals to be sent
to him. When opened several Of the bids
Were found to be in the name of H. C..
Caulkins, an Alderman, and still worse.
some Of these bids We're left blank, in order
to be filed up when the lowest bidder
should have made his lowest bid
Meantime, eX-Mayor Felix J. Leche sued
out an injunction before Judge Pardee, CT
the Second Judicial District Court for the
parish of jefferson, against S. D. Moody.
Controller, to prohibit the opening of the
said proposals and the issuing of warrants;
also against John F. Lowe, Mayor; T. G.
Hester, G.. W. Pratt, W. G.. Mcconnell,
Fl. c. Caulkins, Emile Bellamy, T. 8.
Stamps, Madison Brown, j. H. Fairweather
and j. H. Massey, members of the Council.
prohibiting them from executing the ordi-
nance, or authorizing the issuing of war
rants, on the ground that "the ordinance
was passed by fraudulent and corrupt ap-
planes, and is on its face q manifest fraud
on the public"
The worthless composing the Council of
Jefferson have attempted to copy pretty
closely after the example of the celebrated
Monroe administration in the spring of
1867. On that occasion, as soon as if was.
that there was to be military rule
here for a while, the heads of departments,
members of The Council and their depend
ents began to put their house in order.
Contracts were sold for keeping the streets
in repair for three years, the Treasurer was
authorized to receive State notes in pay
ment Of taxes, although they were not
worth so much by twenty-five or thirty per
cent as city notes. The Finance Commit
tee authorized the Controller to issue q
million or SO of municipal shinpIasters, in
denominations of $40 and $50. Some
very fine houses have been built since the
spring OF 1867, which shows that there is
10 great loss without some small gain.
But the Monroe people were aot responsible
Republican authority, and were never
to an account for their acts. Their |
in Jefferson, however, are in q
air way to find out the difference. They
AYE been promptly summoned into court,
nd we sincerely hope they may get their
If but one-haIf that is charged
.gainst them be proved, they should be
made to suffer the penalty.
With such examples Of municipal cor
and depravity before us, we find
10 difficulty in accounting for the pro-
'osed change of city government. 1t is
Ugh time something were done 20 take the
outrol of affairs out of the hands of men
unworthy of public trust. The new city
harter, which has already passed the
louise, and will come before the Senate
O-day, provides for a city government
members will not be dependent
pom the political ring-masters and old
arty hacks, with their retinue of clamer-
US place-seekers, for their position. At
EAST, they will be exempt from this de-
EVIDENCE for several months. And so
convinced are the people at large of
necessity for a change, that they regard
it'll satisfaction the measures now pend
in the Legislature to bring it about.
J a bill already passed one house, the
unicipal election is to be postponed till
II, even if the charter fails to become a
W.
But the p Ian to consolidate the cities of
ew Orleans and Jefferson, and to include
lgiers in the new incorporation, will sue
ed this winter beyond doubt. The OPP
,nents Of the measure are few in num- +,
,rs and weak in influence. Within a ;
eek we shall expect to see the new char +,
r one of the laws of the State. The work
organization under it will promptly be- {
public confidence will be restored, and I
e public credit improved. Taxes will be :
id more promptly than heretofore, and i,
e money raised theretrom applied to the :
lblic good. In this manner public bene- .
S may be made TO grow out of public :
A lesson will be taught to dis q
nes5 and designing men which should :,
d DOUBTLESS will serve as a warning to :
as Well asto honest but indifferent :
tiers at the next election. We hope the .
late will lose no time in completing the =
cd work. :.
KIND ADVICE FROM DEMOCRATS, Y
As the prospect for the success Of the C
W city charter becomes .lore Il more 4
parent, some Of our wiseacres begin to 4
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