The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-06

the motion.
Mr.. Oavanac moved to lay the motion on the
table. Mr., Brown seconded Mr.. Cavanac's mo-
tion which, being put, was carried by the follow
| ing vote:
| Yeas Brown, Gavanac, Denis and Diamond.
Nays-Edwards, McCaffrey and Rengstorf-3.
The ordinance being before the Council for de-
bate, Mr.. McOaffrey said
| Az the Council persists in its determination TO
consider the matter to-day. which / regret, beg
to call the attention OF the members to the fact
that up to 1869 those who are acquainted with
the contract system, ss it was then worked, must
be aware that the city derived no advantage from
that system, because, while little or no work was
done by the contractors, the city was compelled
10 pay the full amount Of the contract price.
Admitting that our present system OF govern
ment may be better able TO enforce the fulfill
ment of contracts, there are still many reasons
why the system should not now be Reconstructed.
For instance. the Administrators oil admit that 1t
is probable before the end of the year the money
resources will be exhausted, and we may have q
repetition of scrip issue, the same az from July to
December, 1876. Ii this should be the case, how
and how can the contractor perform the work
without pay2 And yet, the city is obliged by her
ordinances and contracts to pay the cont actor
the same as il the work was done.
It may be claimed by those who plead economy
that my department at present should employ
less people, but they know well, by my reports
from time TO time, that the large number en-
ployed by me are so employed to give support to
the large number of poor families and destitute
people now in the community. They should also
know that throughout the whole city there is not
sufficient employment for even small portion of
our idle citizens; hence Ipreferred to employ about
| five or six hundred people, and give them twelve
or fourteen days per month than to employ two
hundred and fifty men, who could work twenty
six days in the month. Since it does not cost the
city any more to employ larger number. and as
the wants of tho people ere great, my plan should
be more acceptable, since it gives the greatest
| relief.
| Again, at the beginning Of our present admin
lstration, the Mayor referred TO that part of his
| inaugural recommending the contract system.
then invited the individual members Of the ad
ministration TO discuss the matter and decide;
but as they did not do so, have gone on making
improvements and purchasing material which
will go far toward the carrying on OF my depart
ment for the remainder OF the year. should
have the benefit of these Investments and ar
rangements, aud be allowed the balance Of this
present year in which to prove my test whether
the contract system or the one now in vogue is
the more economical. Ii you wish to make an
experiment you may, as | have already oontem-
plated, sell contract for running the draining
machineH.
l have also in preparation by the City Surveyor
specifications for the relaying Of block stone
pavement on Fulton street, from Poydras to
Julia streets, with close estimate of the cost of
the work. Ii the Council will defer their action
upon this question, they will have an opportunity
to Judge, when this contract is offered. whether
the present or the contract system is more eco
nomical; but when you consider the great stagna-
ton in business, public works and improvements
of all kinds where labor can be employed, and
that we are now on the eve OF an extremely dull
consideration for the great number of poor people
employed in my department. and postpone to q
more seasonable time the proposition which they
seem so determined to carry into effect imme-
diatey. Ii you persist in this measure, fear it
will have no beneficial effect either upon the city,
it's finances, or those depending upon it.
Mr.. Oavanac, in reply, stated that he favored
the adoption of the ordinance, because it would
save to this impoverished city at least $4,000 a
year.
Upon call of the yeas and nays the ordinance
was adopted by the following vote:
Yeas-Messrs. Brown, Cavanac, Denis and
Diamond.
Nays-Messrs. Edwards, M cCaffrey and Reng-
storff-3.
Mr.. Rengstortf gave as his reason for voting in
the negative that the subject was new to him,
having never been mentioned to him by his col
leagues, and he was therefore compelled to vote
no.
8. An ordinance authorizing the Administrator
of Improvements to advertise for sealed proposals
certain works.
Adopted by the following vote:
Yeas essrs Brown, Csvanac, Denis and Dia
mond-4.
Nays-Messrs. Edwards, McCaffrey and Reng-
storff 3.
6. An ordinance authorizing the City Surveyor
to prepare specifications for the cleaning Of
streets, removing offal, etc.
Adopted by the following vote:
Yeas essrs. Brown, Cavanac, Denis ard Dia-
mond-4.
Nays-Messrs. Edwards, McCaffrey and ReDg.
storff-3.
By Mr.. Diamond and adopted
Ordinance accepting the proposals Of George
ANTI, L. Godchaux and Henry Dsgro, for equip
ping the Crescent City Police.
1. Resolution appropriating $4,000 to pay the
Crescent City Police for May, 1877. Read twice.
g. Resolution appropratng s591S IS in favor
Of James D. Houston, Criminal Sheriff, for ex-
penses. etc., in May, 1877. Read twice.
8. An ordinance providing for the payment Of
the several accounts therein named, beginning
"Hy. Birrcher," and amounting to 1859 n.
Read twice.
Petitions.
From 8. Burchfeld, protesting against his re-
moval from the position OF engineer Of the Bien-
vile draining machine. Referred to a specisl
committee, consisting OF all the members Of the
Council.
From J. e. Austin attorney for old Board Of
Assessors. relative to compensation for rolls Of
1876. Referred 10 special committee, consist
ing of the Administrators of Public Accounts.
Finance and Police.
From Zerilla Meyer, for the reimbursement Of
tax paid in error. Referred to the Administrator
of Finance.
From citizens residing in The vicinity Of the
cemeteries. for the erection OF oil lamps. Re-
ferred to the Administrator Of Police.
From P. o. Peyroux, proposing to lease the
lower City Park. Laid over subject to call.
From ~ citizens about Peoples Avenue Canal,
and ~ larry & House. for the repair of
bridge the Bayou st. John shell road. Re.
ferred to the Administrator Of Improvements.