New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-22
NEW ORLEANS. FRIDAY, DECEMBER o. 1871.
THE CITY HALL.

Morning calls by the Citizens Committee
! are the rage just now. The Administrator
OF Waterworks has filed his bill of expenses
with the committee.
The citizens wanted from the Department
| OF Commerce an abstract of the receipts for
| levee dues since the bureau was created and
the war ended.
civil contractor suggested as plan for
getting the city out of debt, to collect all
the taxes and pay out nothing except for
debts; that every man should be compelled
to clean and repair the street in front of his
door, and the four corner groceries should
have their job in the bridges The con-
tractor is large holder of city bonds.
We are assured that the representations
made in the Council in the petition of Viii
liam Henry and FrichOu & Co, that ''the
cost of cleaning the streets and keeping the
unpaved streets in repair for this year ex-
ceeded the sum Of $i35, ,0O0," are erroneous.
The sum named includes the repairs made
to the thirtyfive miles Of shell roads, the
mending Of bridges, construction of new
bridges and the very heavy expense caused
ny the late overflow, when the waters of
the lake, according to the accurate estimates
Surveyor Bell, rose higher than at any
time in the previous thirty years. 1t is well
known that when the waters subsidized from
the overfowed district, bridges, crossings,
plank walks and curbing were swept away,
and had to be renewed, besides the build
ing Of plank roads and the heavy expendi-
lures involved IN improvements Of every
kind. If the petitioners obtained their in
formation in the City Hall, it showed very
imperfect research of those who gave the
intelligence. 1t is evident such news did
not come from the Department OF Improve
ments.
We have ascertained the expense of the
Board of Assessors for 1868 amounted to
$3l, ,7O7 35, and that the expense of the
present Department of Assessments tor
1871 amounted to SiO,657 II. But in 1868
there were twelve assessment districts;
now, under the new charter, which has
widened the area Of the city by the addi-
tiOn Of five and six municipal districts, the
employment OF three additional assessors
became necessary. and the assessment dis
tricts were increased to fifteen. In com
parative statements it must be recollected
that the city of 1868 is not the city of 1871.
The Office has been widened. additional
rooms have been fitted up. accommoda-
tions have been set for the public. in all of
which the expenditure Of money was
requisite.
Messrs. Whitney and Hutchinson called
t1 the Mayor yesterday to inquire if any
AftiOn had been taken iI reference to the
Fanchises Of the Mobile and Texas rail-
1oad. They wanted an explicit statement
from the Conncil what they proposed to do !
in this matter, but were not satisfied in this
respect. This morning at halfpast nine
clock, the Council and the agents of Mr.. |
Morgan are to ride over the whole ground |
claimed on the one hand and refused on the
other. 1t IS proposed to verify by actual |
inspection what has has heretofore been
proved only by the examination of maps |
and following their hair lines until the eyes
water. Scarcely any other topic is set up |
IN the street. The ratification of these |
grants, or what the grants are. how they
ire situated. and where. are 70 be deter
mined by the Council.
That soft spot in the waterside, opposite
he Crsulines Convent, is beginning 70 slip,
md the Administrator of Improvements
will strengthen it by q revetment.
The cave III the levee near Carrollton
urns out small affair. 1t is simply weak
,lace, which, were the water to break
through, might cause destruction. 1t will
'e repaired.