New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-05
No, ii.
N
AN ACT

No. ia.
AN ACT
To amend and re-enact an act entitled ar
act granting corporate privileges to thu
inhabitants Of the city of Baton Rouge
in the parish Of East Baton Rouge, and t.
provide for the government of the affair
thereof, and to repeal an act entitled al
act to amend the several acts relative Il
the police and government OF the city O
Baton Rouge, approved April 2, 1858, an(
to repeal an act to provide for the govern
ment of the city of Baton Rouge, ap
proved March 6, 1856, and to repeal al
acts amendatory thereto.
SECTION L. Be it enacted by the Senate
and House of Representatives of the State
of Louisiana in General Assembly convened
That all that portion of the parish Of EasI
Baton Rouge within the following described
limits, to wit: commencing at point or
the Mississippi river, at the mouth of Bayou
Grasse, and running due east distance Of
two miles, and running due south dis
lance of one and half miles, thence
bounded west by the Mississippi river
shall constitute the city Of Baton
Rouge, and all the inhabitants thereof
shall be a body corporate. to be known as
the city Of Baton Rouge, and by that name
they and tEeir successors shall be known in
law. and shall be capable of suing and
being sued. and Of prosecuting and defend
ing in all courts and in all actions and mat
tiers whatever, and shall have common
seal, and may alter and change the same at
pleasure, and By the same name they shall
be capable Of holding and conveying any
estate. real or personal, for the use Of said
corporation under the restrictions and linn
itatiOns herein set forth, and upon the first
organization Of the council as herein pro-
vided, shall be vested with all powers,
rights, privileges and immunities incident
to municipal corporation necessary to the
proper government of the same.
Sec. g Be it further enacted, etc, That
the government of the city of Baton Rouge
and the administration Of its affairs shall
be vested in a mayor, three administrators,
to wit: One of finance, one 'ot improve
ments and commerce, one of police, correc-
ton and charities, and four council
men, with administrative and executive
functions. Said mayor. administrators
and cOuncilmen shall be appointed or
elected as hereinafter provided, and shall
form the council Of the city Of Baton Rouge.
The Governor shall, by and with the advice
and consent Of the Senate, appoint the
mayor, three administrators and four coun-
cilmen, who shall hold their offices until the
first Monday in April, 1875, or until their
successors are elected and qualified On
the first Monday in April. 1875, there shall
be an election for administrators of finance,
police, correction and charities, and one
from each ward, and every two
years thereafter, and on the first Monday
in April, 1876, there shall be an election for
mayor, administrator Of improvements and
and two cOuncilmen, and every
two years thereafter. Said mayor and ad-
when elected, shall be elected
low IN l. Al
respective wards, by the qualified voters of
the city of Baton Rouge, in accordance
with the election laws of the State, under
such rules and regulations, not inconsistent
with the law, as the council may prescribe.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, ETC., That
On the second Monday following the day of
their election or appointment the council
shall hold its first meeting in the city hall,
Vt which the mayor, administrators Of de-
1artments ana councilmen, having pre-
'ented and filed their certificates of election
" appointment and qualifications as herein
shall enter upon the discharge
u their duties as specified in this act, and
heir predecessors shall turn over to them
vi books, papers, property, money and &C.
cunts pertaining to their offices and to the
ity of Baton Rouge in the manner herein
lfter prescribed.
SEC. a. Be 1t further enacted, etc, That
he qualifications Of the mayor, admins
rators of departments and cOuncilmen
hall be as follows: They shall be qualified
lectors in accordance with the laws of this
tate, and residents Of the city of Baton
touge six months prior to an election or
ppointment; they shall before entering upon
he duties of their offices respectively take
nd subscribe before any court having juris-
iction in the parish of East Baton Rouge or
Ua fhQraOf in ol, hor In
ath prescribed by article 100 Of the con-
titutlon OF the State; also that they posses |
he qualifications above required, and will |
perform the duties and discharge |
he obligations imposed upon them by this |
ct.
SEC. ,. Be it further enacted, etc, That |
lould vacancy occur at any time after |
ae first day of January, 1875, in the office |
mayor or administrator OF departments |
r councilmen by death, resignation or
Their wise. more than six months preceding |
he expiration of his term of office. the |
Duncil shall, at their first meeting after
le occurrence of said vacancy, order an
lection Tor a successor to till the same for |
lie unexpired term for which said mayor,
administrator or councilman was elected, |
which notice shall be given in the official |
urnal ten days prior to said election; pro-
med, that all vacancies occurring by death, |
'signation or failure to qualify, prior to
lie first day of January, 1875 shall be filled
= appointment by the Governor, as GRO
ded by section three of this act. In case
vacancy in the Office of mayor, or in case
his illness or temporary absence, the
of the department of
nance shall act as mayor pro tenn
ore until successor is duly appointed,
elected and qualified, or during said sick
oss or absence in case of a vacancy or |
milar temporary disability occurring in
le office of any administrator, the acting
ayor shalh designate another administra-
r to act in his stead al interim, and all
iicers herein provided tor shall hold their
hces until their successors are duly elect
and qualified.
SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, etc. That
9 mayor shall be chief executive of the
ty. He shall keep his office in the CITY
III. or such place as may be provided; he
all atfix the seal of the corporation to all |
s official acts: he shall see that the laws !
d ordinances Of the council be properly |
ID faithfully executed, and by virtue of
3 Office shall have full power and au-
ority to hear and adiudicate all offenses
Dlative of said laws and ordinances, and
use to be punished by fine or imprison-
ent, or both, as hereinafter provided, the
rson or persons 80 offending; he shall cali
ira meetings of the council whenever
shall deem the same necessary, or ,
lenever three members of the same
all in writing tstating the object thereby 1
quest him to do 80. He shall, at the end I
the fiscal year, lay before the council a {
j statement of the affairs of the city, and s
blish the same in the official journal. 1t |
all be his duty to report to the council S
officers and persons employed by the I
y who fail to perform their duty, or COM t
any act for which they should be re- Q
wed from office, and may in his discre- c
suspend any such officer or employee o
III the action of said council, to whom he p
all report said suspension at their first &
citing thereafter. He shall preside at |,
meetings of the council, but shall have
vote therein except where there is q tie, 4