The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1875-12-30
Sixth and Seventh Districts have been

Sixth and Seventh Districts have been
added to the city.
Over 10000 tons OF ballast has been
used during the past year upon the bal
last aud shell streets. but excessive
rains since December aud heavy travel
over these streets have rendered many
~ them almost impossible, and the
lack of funds on appropriation during
this year renders II impossible for this
department to meet the demands upon
il for repairs. II would. In my opinion.
require at least 10000 tons Of ballast to
repair properly the streets In the Fourth
District alone. and other districts re-
quire like attention.
For repairs, stone crossings, curbs
and wings. $4,000. A detailed estimate.
made by the City Surveyor. Of work
absolutely necessary calls for 1854 10.
II IL only requisite 10 cite as an example
tho crossings over Canal street. leading
to the Postotfice, etc. now utterly unfit
Tor the accommodation Ut lady pedes-
trains after every rain.
For repairs. cobblc stone aud square
block streets, $22. 625. Permit me again
10 refer to the reports Of the City Sur.
veyor. who files n detailed statement.
showing 63, 900 feet of cobble stone re-
uuircs patching. 1876 900 square yards OF
cobblc stone requires relhying, seven
squares Of square block to be repaired,
aud 10000 square yards of square block
TO be reIaid.
The condition or our finances will not
admit IF the expenditure necessary to
place al Of our streets IN good order.
but the necessities Of commerce seem
to demand thnt tho principal thorough
fures should be- kept up. 70 do This
would require ~ least Ave times The
amount appropriated The condition
OF the cohblc stone streets IL we'll known
aud appreciated by every person who
may have had occasion to pass over
them for the past two years. Julin
street Is an example n broad street III.
yiding two of the most populo,is wards
In the city, extending to The levee and
along the New Basin. the natural pass
age way for heavy traffic has been al
most inpassable for two years past
Repairs to plank roads, $4,000. When
attention is invited to the fact that there
are Ave miles of plank roads to bc kept
in order. aud that Calliope and Liberty
streets alone will require iWi.WU feet of
lumber. this estimate must appear low.
have reviewed this suhjectat length
fora double purpose. First. ] desire to
place upon record and before the public
u correN statement or the condition OF
the departments secondly. ! wish to
correct u nisapprchension that seems
to have gained ground witl, some citi
zcns that the expenditures Of tho past
year should be oritcria for the. next.
When assumed charge OF this de
paltnent n careful examination was
made Of the condition Of the works. aud
IL was believed that many needed i'm
provcments could 10 deferred NJ least u
year The burdens of our people were
80 great that the proptiety OF dcfcrring
every possible expense, md of conduct
ing the administration upon n strictly
economical basis. was apparent A
budget was adopted for this year about
onc.third Of the amount expended last
year for the same bureaus. aud &y3b 900
less than tho average expenses of this
department for the years 1870, 1871. 1872.
1873. No Administrators expected ut
tho tine that II would be- possible To
limit the expenditures to tho sum named.
At the expiration Of six months sor-
vice. the Board Of Health. press and
citizens generally. reported the streets
In better condition than for several
years. On the first Of December last
the condition of this department was ~
good ns when delivered to me, except
that the natural decay Of wooden struca
lures renders u impossible 10 carry
many OF them further by patching.
The recent rains aud lack of material
hna inl,,rously affected the streets gen.
crafty. aud there h. now no force for
repairs
penditures OF $40, OOO, ! eau only refer
10 the threatened overflow by high wa
ter from the lake, the construction Of
plank roads rendered necessary for
streets leading 10 the levee. and 10 an
extraordinary consumption OF coal by
reason Of excessive rains.
During the summer the public inter
ests demanded thorough cleansing Of
the city. and tbs work was given to
starving fellow citizens who could not
procure other labor.
The average monthly expenses Of the
Bureau IN this department for previous
years. VIZ:
lssb to tap inul,ieiycl ..,........... 500 IN
1870 "a ta1i ..........4.....+ ... az, ss5 10
igyb 5000. 49,. /. ..-...... S,iiG 90
lf Il be urged that $5O.ooO Of expense
was taken off this department by the
lease Of the wharves In the middle ct
the year. 1t may be safely assumed that
the expenses of Algiers, jefferson and
not included in the average
Of expenses prior To their annexation,
would more than offset the amount Of
wharf expenses referred 10.
In reducing the amounts necessary
for the administration ~ this depart
mcnt. ! know that the administrators
have been urged by the Imperative ne
ccssitv Of reducing taxation, I" omit
many necessary appropriations, and
this communication h not made Tor the
purpose 1T complaining Mt their action,
but with the object Of Informing the
Council and the public concerning the
~
T. a BuRkf,
t..l 4,