New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-10-15

supply the city institutions, and they
said they could not at cash prices What is
the condition Of our appropriation certi6-
J Gates to-day on the market! Gone down
below seventy cents on the dollar! Is it
expected that trsdesmen will furnish the
city with supplies at cash prices and receive
appropriation certificates and wait five or
six months for their money. No. sir, they
will not do it. am really sorry this matter
has come up in this shape. 1t is not in my
department alone that this depreciation
prevails. l can go and buy shells at the
basin for thirty-five cents cash, and we are
paying sixtyseven and half cents in i'm
provement bonds at seventy-ive cents on
the dollar. Here we are advertising our
ten per cent bonds, and what are they
worth! The Administrator of Accounts
says they are only worth eighty-four cents.
Mr.. Shaw: The gentleman is very much
mistaken. They brought l06l4.
Mr.. Lewis: should like them to be worth
two hundred.
The Mayor repeated that it was to afford
Administrators the opportunity to offer
some such explanation as this that he
brought the matter before the Council.
Mr.. Lewis continued: 1t is made the duty
Of the Mayor to visit all the institutions Of
the city. You have done so, Mr.. Mayor, in
my department, but 1t has been very re-
Gently only. You have examined the books
Of my department, and it is circulated
round the city that there is something
wrong in my department. That reflects on
my character as man, and I am prepared
at any time to have most rigid investiga-
ton in my department.: and if anything is
found against me, am prepared either to
resign or stand charges.
Mr.. Cockrem: AS l understand it, there
is no charge made against Administrators
in this message The Mayor only asks an
explanation Of certain items. therefore
repeat my motion that the message he re-
ferred to committee Of the whole.
Mr.. Shaw have very different opinions
from the Administrator Of Police Mr..
Lewis) Of the duties Of the Mayor. should
be very much flattered if the Mayor would
call upon me in my department. 1t has
been q long time since he has been there.
and think he has been little derelict in
this respect. I look upon the Mayors
action in this matter in a very different
light from the Administrator Of Police.
The charter gives the Mayor very little
to do. He has the power to veto. and
that is about all. 1t is the only
pleasure allowed him from one years end
t. the other. think lie ought to visit
the different departments more than he
does. He has lately given Us very few yetoes
and very few visits. The Interpretation Of
our charter, as regards the duty of examin-
ing into bills, differs very much. Some six
months ago offered an ordinance, making
one grand inquiry into all these things, but
l never could get it passed. 1t was made
my duty to examine all bills, and to send
ont estimates of all purchases. If the Ad-
had voted for that ordinance
they would have saved themselves a great
deal Of trouble, and given me a great deal
more than l have. The result OF having
each department make its separate pur
chases rendered it almost impossible to
make general estimate.
Mr. Cockrem said lie was satisfied that
when the explanations desired by the Mayor
were given, they would be found perfectly
and there was no desire to re-
fleet on any Administrator.
After further discussion the motion to re-
fer the message to a committee of the whole
was unanimously carried.
The Council then adjourned
H. CONQUEST CLARKE.
Secretary.