The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-22
State Legislature.

MONDAY. February ii.

u
DE facto Lieut.. Governor Antoine
called the Senate to order at about a
quarter to twelve O'Clock. On the roll
call, q quorum was found to be present.
"A minority report was received from
Mr.. White. Of the Finance Committee.
recommending the passage Of the pre-
MUM bond bill, which was reported
upon unfavorably by d majority OF the
committee.
The report Of Mr.. White gave q tabu-
lated statement Of the debt OF the city,
and examined the operation Of the pre-.
MUM bond bill.
From the Committee on Commerce
there was received favorable report on
an act repeating an act fixing a tax Of
$5 on each seagoing vessel leaving the
port OF New Orleans for the benefit oi
the port warden.
A House act to authorize the various
parishes Of the State to subscribe to the
Union Pacific Railroad Company, was
reported upon favorably by the Railroad
Committee.
An act fixing and equalizing the
charges Of the Board of Health for in
speeding vessels at the Quarantine Sta
ton WAS introduced by Mr.. Wharton,
and was referred
Mr.. Young presented for the consid-
Grafton Of the Senate report contain
ing the reform bills approved by the
Property Holders, which was transmit
ted by the Central Council Of said body
to the Governor, In accordance with his
request.
An act received from the House, fixing
the boundaries Of Lincoln and jackson
parishes, was called up as the special
order of the day and was laid over until
3 o'clock.
An act was introduced by Mr.. Dumont
providing plan Of government for the
city OF New Orleans. Referred.
The unfavorable report Of the major
ity of the Finance Committee and the
favorable report of the minority Of
the same committee came up.
A motion to table the majority report
made by Mr.. Allan was tabled.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
After executive session the majority
report came up, and, upon a call OF the
II yeas to 3 nays.
Mr.. Wharton moved to indefinitely
postpone the bill, and on this motion a
reading OF the bill was called for.
The bill was read. and discussion
opened and continued until 8 80 O'Clock,
at which time recess was taken for
twenty minutes.
When the Senate was again called to
order the discussion was renewed, and
after 1t had been continued for some
length Of time, the motion to postpone
the bill indefinitely was adopted.
A motion to reconsider and table was
lost.
1.-The Senate then commenced on the
calendar.
A message from the Governor. recon-
mehding the passage of certain reform
bills, was called up and went over.
The bill limiting the charges OF sher-
lifts In the rural districts FOR prisoners to
40 cents day was recommitted.
Executive session was had, and at ten
minutes or eleven the Senate adjourned.
IAN abstract Of an interesting speech
made by Senator Robertson on q resol,i-
ton giving preference to measures re-
commented by the Governor and the
Property Holders Union. Is unavoida-
bly, omitted from this report, the late
hour ct which both Houses adjourned,
and the pressure OF other matter upon
the columns OF the paper compelling
the OMISSION.
The House proceeded to business at
~ :l5 n. m. Eighty four members pres
ent, Speaker Estilettc presiding.
Mr.. Kidd introduced a bill to reduce
the expenses of criminal Investigations
before committing magistrates,
The order of the day, the bill to en-
large the criminal jurisdiction Of JUS
tices of the peace in the rural parishes,
by comforting upon them the authority
Of committing magistrates, came up /,
amended SO that the jurisdiction shall
not extend to capital cases or cases in
volving three or more years In the Peni-
Tertiary. The bill passed.
Mr.. Armstead introduced the annexed
preamble and resolution:
Whereas, IL Is currently rumored that
the Administrators Of the city govern
ment OF New Orleans have diverted
funds set aside by law for specific pur-
poses, In violation Of law; and
Whereas, a Senate concurrent resolu-
ton was presented to the House on the
2Gth day OF January, inviting the ap-
pointment OF a Joint committee for the
investigation OF the same; and
Whereas. The said resolution had
been referred to the Committee on City
Affairs by this House.. on The 2sth day Of
January, and no action had been had
and no report made In the premises. and
Whereas. The said current rumors
reflect upon the official integrity OF the
officers administering the affairs Of the
city government, all TO the detriment OF
the public interest,
| Be II resolved by the House Of Repre-
sentatives and the Senate of the State OF
| Louisiana concurring, That the Speaker
| Of the House be and he is hereby au-
thorized and directed to appoint com
mittee OF four members, and that the
President of the Senate shall appoint a
committee Of four members OF Che Sen
ate, for the purpose OF making inyesti-
CATION of the facts stated in the pream-
| Bile. which is made part Of this resolu-
| ton, and for the purpose OF making q
general investigation Of the affairs OF
| the city government, either financial or
otherwise, and what recommendation
or legislation Ia or may be necessary,
the said committee shall be authorized
| to send for persons and papers,
MIR. Wilt, Is chairman OF the Com
mittce on City Affairs, to whom the
Senate resolution refefred to IN Mr..
Armstead's paper, had been referred,
reported. The Senate resolution re-
quired a general examination OF thf
| financial administration OF the city
government. Mr.. Wiltz observed that
the committee had not reported on this
subject, because 4 had more i'm
portant matters to engage its attention.
! X the Senate had u Jealous desire
| to investigate the conduct OF
the city government it would
done as the House Committee, Of which
Mr.. Aldige was chairman, in relation W
~ ELL ,f1}oarc ~ tho Qt0tn Thr