New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-08-23
I Al u n. II -

pared as we are. 1t seems to me there are
seven members of this Council Il don't
know that this thing is sprung upon us
to-day with the idea that there are three
members in favor of it, and that if there
should be three against it the Mayor will
have the casting vote, and he is in favor OF
it but if that is the case | am pre-
pared to vote against the ordinance,
not because l am in favor of the other
scheme, but because am not disposed to be
forced into anything. | am the guardian
of my own conscience, and so long as | feel
| am doing right l don't care what any
body says; but don't like to have it held up
at me that if don't choose to vote for par
ticular measure that, therefore, have been
bought for something else. There is nobody
who disparages, talks over and groans over
the credit of the city more than the Admin
istrator of Finance; but he is ready to jump
the question, ready TO issue two millions
and a half of bonds, whether the Council
understand the subject or not. l shall not
vote for this proposition, because | do not
think it has been maturely considered. and
| want it to be thoroughly understood that
do not refuse to vote for it because am III
favor of any other scheme, because nobody
has ever approached me for my vote on this
subject, although they may have approached
the Mayor and the Administrator of Finance.
| don't know whether they consider my vir-
tue so easy that | can be reached at any
time afterward.
Mr.. Walton: | deny that this matter has
been sprung upon the Council. The sub
ject of the WaterwOrks is one with which
every Administrator who does his duty
should be familiar. 1t has been shame
fully neglected, not by the Administrator
of Waterworks himself, because he has
faithfully done his duty, and has made the
WaterwOrks u paying institution, but BY
the Council who have neglected 20 extend
the works in accordance with the public
requirements. 1t is a disgrace to this
Council to-day to say we are not prepared
to vote on this question. l am always
opposed to issuing bonds where there is
nothing to show for them, but where we
issue bonds for the purpose Of building
waterworks, we establish something which
this city has wanted for fifty years, and
never more than to-day. l am ready to go
for any amount of bonds for this purpose
because there will be the revenue to pay off
the interest and the principal. Every dol
lar of bonds Will be represented in the
enlarged works. and the moment they are
put in active operation a dividend comes
back. This ordinance provides for interest
and principal. Now, in regard to this ques-
ton of being approached. have not had
much experience of public life, but this is
the first time I have ever been approached
on the subject of my influence in delibera-
tive body; but l have been approached on
this subject, and approached in manner
| don't like. | have been approached
through some of my friends. 1t has been:
Carte blanche, Mr.. Walton Il take that as
a compliment), carte blanche; state your
own figures; we want this bill passed.
l say it is time for Administrators to act
on this Waterworks question. Reject the
ordinance if you please; but act. believe
to witness that / have been anxious to
bring this question to an issue for months
past.
Mr.. Remick remarked that it was always
usual, when these important matters came
up, to discuss them first in committee. The
first he heard of the question was in the
Mayors parlor this morning, when the Citi-
zens' Association started it. He certainly
thought the Administrator of Assessments
ought to have voice on this ordinance.
Mr.. Walton replied that the Administra-
tor of Assessments should stay at home and
attend to his business.
Mr.. Lewis said there was no question
which had been so often brought up in
committee as this Waterworks question. 1t
had been discussed repeatedly, and amend
ments suggested.
Mr. Remick: Mr. Walton says it has not.
Mr.. Lewis: Mr.. Walton might not have
been there at the time, but the Waterworks
question had been repeatedly brought up
and laid aside for this protection levee bill
as in the Judgment of members that was
much more necessary than Waterworks In
his (Mr. LewisO opinion there was nothing
in the city of New Orleans more needed
than an extension of the Watervorks He
instanced the suffering in the Third District
for want of water, and alluded TO the fire at
the corner of Esplanade and Rampant
streets the very morning-one of the wealth,
lest sections of the city below Canal street
where the firemen had to stand still for
want of adequate water supply.
Mr.. Shaw: l am one of those surprised by
the sudden calling up of this ordinance at
this time, and two or three of my colleagues
had no intimation of the intention to bring
up this subject now. This is an ordinance
offered three or four months ago. 1t has
laid dormant on our records since then,
and is now suddenly called up for final
passage. The very fact of Mr.. Bonzano's
absence ought to be sufficient to postpone
this question, at least for one week. but as
there seems to be determination to put it
through, let us see what this ordinance
provides. This is a proposition that the
city of New Orleans. for some general and
underlined purpose. shall issue two and a
half millions of bonds. 1t is not pretended
we are indebted two millions and half for
any purpose, or that any contract has been
entered into or determined on rendering
necessary such an outlay. 1t is a simple,
naked ordinance, providing for the issue of
these bonds. 1t says that the Administra-
tor of Finance and the Mayor shall issue
them, and all that is wanted is for three of
lis to vote for this ordinance in order to