New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-25
some shape and passed, with such amend
ments as may seem to be necessary to
cure its more obvious defects.
A PROPOSED NEW CITY CHARTER.

proposes material changes in the form Of
the city government, giving it more
popular, and, as we hope, more econ.
omical character. The bill which has
been presented for that purpose was pre-
pared by lawyer of mature experience
and intimate acquaintance with our loca
affairs. We learn also that the Property
Holders Union, or at least a portion Of
the members of that eccentric organiza
ton, have examined and approved the
principal features of the bill.
The changes proposed in the city gov.
eminent are:
On the first Monday in May, annually,
Mayor and Board of Aldermen shall be
elected-one Alderman in each ward.
Aldermen shall not be less than twenty
five years of age. two years residence is
required, and they shall be taxpayers not
in arrears for taxes, and interested in
no contract under the city. A vacancy in
the board shall be filed by election in
the ward in which it occurs, on ten days
notice given by the Mayor. The board
and Mayor, constituting the City Council,
shall meet on Monday of each week.
The Council shall pass police ordi-
nances, with fines and penalties in no
case to exceed one hundred dollars shall
levy and assess taxes, and possess the
same general powers as at present.
At elections, there shall not be less than
two polls open in each ward, but in no
case in rum shop or place where liquor
is sold. The Mayor shall be elected for
two years, and receive salary of $4,000
per annum. He shall be at least thirty
FIVE years of age, and possess the same
qualifications required of Aldermen. He
shall appoint all other city officers with
the concurrence Of the Board Of Alder
men, and on the same condition may re-
move or suspend; shall cause laws and
ordinances to be enforced, but may remit
fines and penalties. In case of vacancy in
the Office of Mayor, an election shall be
held, except less than six months shall
expire before the next municipal election.
in which case the Common Council shall
fill the vacancy.
The bill provides for an Auditor at q
salary at $4,000; Treasurer at $4,000, with
$4,000 for expenses and clerk hire; col
lector at $4,000; an attorney at the same
rate, and two Street Commissioners at
$4,000 each.
Tax bills are to be ready on the first of
March in each year, and four months
allowed for their payment. If unpaid
September l, they are to be turned over
to the city collector, who shall publish
the names of the delinauents and record
the same in the mortgage office against the
property taxed. The recorder will re-
ceive a fee of ten cents for erasing the
entry. If the taxes remain unpaid
after the first of March of the next
succeeding year, it will be deemed con-
fession Of judgment, with lien on the
and eight per cent interest until
paid. Right of redemption shall cease
after two years. No license will be i'm
posed on artisans or mechanics, but such
other occupations shall be taxed as the
Council shall deem proper. All fines go
to the city, and retention of the same
vacates the office of the derelict official
The Attorney shall be the head Of the
law department Of the city; shall have
charge of all municipal litigation, and
make a semi-annual report of the same to
the Council
The bill fixes the salaries of the crimi-
nal sheriff and clerks of the Superior
Criminal Court and First District Court at
FIVE thousand dollars each, from and after
the next general election; and they are re-
CURED to pay over to the city all sums in
excess thereof The City Council will
provide for the maintenance and govern
ment of the Parish Prison, Workhouse
- J T. .. ii .,eluse. Police magistrates
will commit Migrants to the Workhouse.
The City Council within six months after
their election shall provide an almsbouse,
to be governed by board of commission
ers, who are to serve without pay, and the
expenses of the same shall not exceed
twenty thousand dollars year. All pub
lie work, wherever practicable, shall be
performed by contract by the lowest
bidder.
The bill will be engrossed at once and
sent to the House for concurrence.
There are several features in it which
it to favor. 1t enlarges the
representation, reduces salaries, separates
from State elections, and pro-
yides for more efficient service at reduced
rates in matters of public contracts. AS
the Democrats have certain majority in
the city. it is not likely in any case to
transfer any patronage to our party, nor
to take much away from he Democrats.
The House may, therefore, embrace this
to bring about q partial re-
vival of the old aldermanic form of city
for the loss Of which there
has been SO much sighing and grumbling.
DEMOCRATIC IMMUNITY.
The Democratic press keeps special cor
at Washington who vex the
wires with every incident calculated to
affect the ensuing election. These cores
oondents can earn their weekly stipend
~ a .lnilxr nnro GRO Nh n,, t.pinnh y or a