New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-30
MR.. BURKE's WHARF ORDINANCE.

After about years trial OF the wharf
lease system, both parties to the contract
lave become dissatisfied. The lessees
have submitted proposals for modifying
it in their favor, and their spokesman,
Mr.. Ellerman, has added reasons more
or less plausible in support of the modif-
cation. The only response from the city
so far is an ordinance offered by Mr..
Burke at the last meeting of the Council,
proposing to annul the contract of lease
on the ground of the failure of the lessees
to comply with its requirements, and for
the city, by its proper officers, to resume
the control of the wharves and the col
lection of the levee dues. This ordinance
was read twice and referred to the COM
mittee of the whole, without debate or a
division of vote.
1t is understood that only two Of the
Administrators are at present in favor Of
Mr.. Burke's ordinance, though it is pos
sible that some of the others have no dis
position to make active opposition. The
letter of Mr.. Ellerman is generally re-
garded by the public as virtual notice
that the lessees were unable to go on
under the conditions which they have
agreed to, though it does not ask the city
to revoke the contract. The lessees mere
ly demand more liberal terms, without
suggesting an alternative course in case
the demand be refused.
In the meantime perfectly responsible
parties have come forward and offered to
take the contract Of lease as it now exists,
and give bond for q strict compliance
with its requirements. We are not in.
formed of the reply, if any, which the
city returned to this application. 1t is
likely, however, that certain legal
difficulties stand in the way of direct
conveyance of the contract to a new party.
Messrs. Ellerman & Co. could transfer
their contract, with the city's consent.
But as they would be likely to refuse their
consent, at least so long as hope re-
mains of their getting more favorable
terms, the city can only proceed by taking
default annulling the contract, and, il
thought advisable, entering into new one
with responsible parties.
The adoption of Mr.. Burke's project for
an ordinance will, therefore, open the
way for more satisfactory administration
of the wharf revenues, either by the city
directly or by contractors. In our judg-
ment the contract system is liable to
grave objections. 1t was adopted against
such reasons as the REPUBLICAN was able
to furnish year ago, and the results, I'M
satisfactory to both parties, have con-
firmed us in our views. The objections
which existed to giving the lease to the
present contractors would apply with
equal force to any other applicant. The
administration of the wharves is one of
those duties which have been, wisely as
we think, devolved upon public officers,
and it is in some degree violation of a
solemn trust to sub-let it to private
parties, who may be expected to
make all they can out of the
tax on our commerce. We, therefore,
hope the city will take prompt measures
to resume its proper duties, and hereafter
discharge them in the manner contem-
plated by law, and as the people have a
reasonable right to expect. With anything
like prosperous season, the interest on
the Outstanding bonds can be paid out OF
the net receipts for dues, and leave some
thing for the sinking fund to redeem such
as may be offered on satisfactory terms.