New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-04-20

spenth fnltsnE Csnssq en11k 90 $685.
police oflcefs there, md nebody tksle ~
nv appointment. elaim Tt I aheuld
have To nesns under my eontrol to do the
work laid down for me BY the city charter.
The point Of economy, it seems to me, Is
strained in this regard. There appears to
be disposition to force economy on the
new members Of the Council while the
older members make NO movement in that
direction. ask that ! may be allowed t.
organize; Ask that may have . depart
ment in accordance with tho spirit of the
law. This granted, then If you want to
talk of retrenchment, l am ON an equal
footing. Ihave no ambition to do anything
but what is right and proper, but do not
think it fair for the Administrator Of
Finance, or any other Administrator, to put
his hand to my throat and say, "Ysu shall
not have an organization, because there is
extravagance ON the very face Of it." be-
lieve there is no extrsvagance in my
ordinance. The organization, 80 far rs the
wharfngers are concerned, Is the same -
General Vests. As TO the markets, the Of.
ficers proposed are less in number and in
salary than those granted to Mr.. Emley. l
have studied this thing. I am satisfied this
is necessary to enable me to carry out
the duties laid upon me by the charter.
Mr.. Walton: The gentleman has made
long speech, but it does not amount to any
thing, because in the beginning say do
not intend to oppose the ordinance, except
as regards this section three Some Of the
remarks Of the gentleman might seem to
imply there was some personal feeling on
my part. have NO personal feeling in this
matter. said when the charter was first
published, before had any idea of becom
ing an administrator, that the Department Of
Commerce was an excrescence on the new
city government, and there was not man l
spoke to ON the subject but agreed with me.
1t was even then stated that in order to check
the Mayor who, according to the idea of the
trainers of the charter, was to he mere
head,piece on the city government, the Ad-
ministrator of Commerce was put in 90 as
to prevent the Mayor having veto in the
case of possible tie between six members
The idea was carried out by putting man
in that Office originally who had NO force
and who simply spent his time in trying to
make business for his department to trans
act. When the charter was amended, and
the control of the wharves was turned owe,
to the Department of Commerce, I said then
that the right kind of man could make this
department an important organization.
do not set up my judgment against that Of
the Council, but, say again, there is great
deal of unnecessary expense laid out in THU
ordinance for the organization Of the De
partment Of Commerce.
| Mr.. Bonzano: As this is the only depart
ment which remains to be organized, move
that the final ,nsideration of this ordinance
be postponed to our next regular meeting
The Chair put the motion to postpone ani
declared it lost.
Mr. Remick: The Administrator of Fl
nance has taken occasion in ono breath t.
say he does not oppose this ordinance and il
the next to assert that it contains useles
officers. It has been Q happy expression o
his to call the Department Of Commerce al
excrescence on the city government
Mr.. Walton explained that he did not ap
ply this term to the departnent as at presen
constituted. t.5
! Mr.. Remick: quote from the publishes
proceedings of the Council of March Z:
When was appointed Administrator Q
i Commerce 0d iMterim, took the OppOrtu
nifty of making known to the Council wha
had long thought, that the Department q
Commerce was entirely useless, and was, il
fact, an excrescence ON the city government
think so still.
It is easy to see came into this C0unc
under rather embarrassing circumstances
Iwant to do my duty faithfully and vel
have not lived so long as the Administrs
tor of Finance, but am trying to make
good reputation, and have as good
reputation for the years have lived as b
has. want to have my department orga1
lied. Then we will talk about retrencl
ment. 1 want to have it organized for tn
reason: Every day am beset by men VII
want Office, and can not attend to m
duties until have made such appOintmen
as l am empowered to make. This done
can attend to my duties, and see if SON
other Administrator can not economic {
we'll rs myself. Iwant to be ON an equ
footing. think it is only justicesto my d
partment that should have the organic
ton have asked for. The Administered
of Finance says he deferred to the superb
. ability Of General West. He must NJ
assume that have inferior ability.
Mr.. Shaw said he had great desire
adjourn, and he called for vote.
The Chair put the question on the amen
ment proposed by Mr.. Walton, that Il
Administrator of Finance should have Il
| - <1,o 1ouno dino oc11ocfOra nv