The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-06-17

tilpIlIiiE tlte Sdilie nc ltptit SHALL dlSp
embrace a statement Of the Indebtedness of
the city, showing in detail all outstanding
obligations, their date, amount, to whom
and for what issued, when due. and under
what ordinances and resolutions authorized.
1t shall also contain estimates for the re-
ccipts ana expenditures for the current
six months. No warrant shall be drawn
by said department on the department Of
finance unless there arc funds in this de
partuent to meet the same, and the admi-
niSrator of this department shall be vested
with and perform such other functions and
duties as may be prescribed by the Council
and heretofore vested in the controller OF
the city Of Shreveport under existing laws
not in conflict or inconsistent with this
act
Fourth-A department of assessments,
which shall have general snperintendence
Of the assessment Of all property in the city
Of Shreveport, real or PERSONAL for taxa
ton, Ct the imrositions Of licenses, on pro-
fcssions, trades and occupations, necessary
to produce revenue sufficient to carry on
The city government and xpay outstanding
debts and contingent expenses and shall
be vested with and perform such other
functions as may be prescribed by the
Council.
SEC. s. Be it further enacted, etc, That
the administrators of the foregoing depart
ments shall, at the end of every month,
render to the mayor a written report Of
the administration of the departments du~
ring that month, their actual and their res
pcctiyc condition. They shall each receive
an annual salary Of six hundred dollars,
payable MONTH ly upon their own warrants
approved by the Mayor, and shall not be
allowed any other compensation Or fec
whatever. They shall keep their Offices
open daily, Sundays and legal holidays cx-
ccpted, for the transaction of business du-
ring such hours as the Council shall
direct.
SEC. O. Re it further enacted, etc, That
the Council shall organize the departments
established by the foregoing section, regu.
be employed by each department. and the
amount Of their salaries; said clerks and
officers shall be recommended for appoint
ment by the administrators Of said depart
ments respectively, and be appointed by
the Council they may he suspended by
said heads of departments respectively, at
pleasure, and in case OF such suspension it
shall be reported to the Council at its first
meeting thereafter, together with the cause
thereof. The Council may remove, by a
vote Of a majority Of the members, any of
said clerks Or officers for incompetency,
neglect of duty, malleasancc in office, and
when reported by the heads of departments,
when the services of such officer or en-
ploye be no longer necessary to the public
interest.
Sec. TO- Be it further enacted, etc, That
the Council shall have fill power and au-
thor1ty to make and pass such bylaws aud
ordinances as. are necessary and proper.
First-ro regulate and preserve the
peace and good order of the city, and pro-
vide for and maintain its cleanliness and
sanitary condition, not inconsistent with
any law relative thereto.
Second To regulate and make improve
ments to the streets, public squares,
wharves and other public property, and to
provide for the lighting and watering Of the
same, and to order and direct the ditching,
filling, opening, widening and continuing
of any streets, and if for such purpose the
land Of any private person or body corpo-
rate is necessary to be had, the said City
Council shall have the right and power of
purchasing the same at a reasonable price,
or causing the same to be appropriated ac-
cor1ing to the manner and tormalites pres
cribed by existing laws upon the subject
to regulate the proportion and to make and
repair all common sewers, drans canals,
public roads, levees, dykes canscways and
bridges, Notwithstanding any surcrintcnd-
ence which might be set up by any corpo-
ration or individual over such works; to
determine the completion and Dimensions
of the pavements Of the streets. to fix the
squaring, and to prevent any encroaeh-
ments upon or stopping and obstructing
the streets, public squares, levees, public
roads, or any part of the port of Shreveport,
and to order any object, whatever may be
its value, which may cucumber the said
places, or prevent and embarrass the free
use of the same, to be removed or sold for
whom it may concern, in the same manner
and after such advertisements as shall be
required bv such regulations.
.Third-for cleaning the banks of the
river or other navigahle streams within the
limits of the city; for the reopcning of such
ancient natural drains as have been OBJ
structed by the owners of the adjacent
lands, or the filling up Of any water course
which is not navigable, for the purpose of
carrying the public highways over the
same; provided, that no injury be occa-
stoned thereby to the neighboring inhabit
ants.
Fourth-To prescribe and collect rates of
lc, ee dues and wharfage and to designate
the place for anchoring and mooring steam
boats and other water craft in the port Of
Shreveport, and to regulate and maintain
the public peace on the same while in the
limits Of the city Of Shreveport, every year
lay an equal and uniform tax upon all real
and personal property in said city, as pres
cribcd, and under the limitations imposed
in this act for the ensuing year, which said
taxes shall be due and payable at the Office
Of the department Of finance from the first
day of March to the twenty frst day Of July,
inclusive; and at its first regular meeting
in December, and on the same day annually
thereafter, shall impose al annual license
tax on trades. professions and callings, as
herein prescribed, said license to expire on
the thirtv-frst day Of December in the year
in which it was obtained, and which license
tax shall be due and payable, at the office
Of the finance department, frcm the first
day of January to the twenty eighth day
Of February, inclusive.
Sec. II. And be it further enacted, That
the Council shall once in every twelve
months, before fixing and dssfding upon
the amount of taxes and licenses to be as