The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-08-22

A Proposition to the City to Compromise
the Gaines Cases.

A Proposition to the City to Compromise
the Gaines Cases.
New ORLEANS, August IS. 1877.
To the Hon. Ed. Pilsbury, Mayor, and Admins
traitors OF the City of New Orleans:
Gentlepeen-I had the honor OF addressing
petition to the Mayor and Common Council on
the lat of September, 1868, which was trans
mitted by Mayor Conway TO the Council, and by
the latter respectfully referred TO the finance COM
mittees of both boards, relative to my claim
against the city, amounting then to the sum of
81, 53G, 1871.
The petition being referred, it was followed by
an elaborate report from the committee, who
stated In part as follows:
s'Your committee did not deem it within the
province OF their duty to give any opinion upon
the legality of the claim of the petitioner; but, as
it is question of great importance, not only to
the city, but to large number Of persons who
have acquired titles to property from the city,
and in view OF the magnitude OF the claim, and
that the other duties OF the City Attorney pre-
Guided him from giving his time and attention to
the study of this claim and case, we have asked
the opinion Of attorneys of known ability, who
have no bias Of opinion for or against the claim
| ant, and whose opinion, attached hereto, we re-
commend basis for final action, and offar the
| accompanying resolution for the sanction OF the
Council"
| / have now only to call your attention to the
| opinion of L. Woodbridge, e a., attorney, adj
| dressed to the " Honorable chairmen and mem
charged by the Council with thorough investi.
CATION OF this claim, and his answer to interroga-
| tories propounded by the committee. He was
| sustained by @. Il. Whitney, Esq, attorney, In q
| written opinion, also addressed to the Financ .
Committee, and accompanying herewith, both
| concurripg THAT to further oppose the
| claims of one who has the Endorsement OF the
| supreme Court would be unwise." And further
| s'One thing is sure: This resistance will be so
| long continued as that, before it 10 finally ad-
usted the city will have lost in taxes, which 1t
| would have otherwise collected, and in money
| expended in litigation, double or triple the sum
| for which the whole matter can now be compro-
mised." And, l will add, preventing such improve
ments as would increase the revenues OF the city
largely.
This Endorsement OF the highest tribunal OF our
| country the "Supreme Court Of tho United
States" stands irrevocable in q decree az rem
dered by Justice Da Wis, and to which your partcn-
lar attention is called, hilst tho recent deci ion
| of the United States Circuit Court Of Louisiana
in my favor, with which your honorable body arc
familiar, should be conclusive against further op-
position By the city, which, respectfully submit,
cannot but result in heavy loss by failure to avail
| itself of the offer on my part to compromise q
valid and just claim as previously made by me In
| 1868 to the city authorities.
am more than anxious to avoid the execution
| of the Judgment against the parties defendant,
which the city, by an amicable compromise and
settlement with me, can now avoid, and IN thus
consentng will, In the language OF the eminent
counsel on behalf Of the city, 'pro.ect them
| from eviction from their homes, built in firm re-
lance upon the good faith and protection OF this
city"
premises required may be made through the
Hon. John II. Conway, who will present this let
ter on my behalf. Respectfully, ETC.,
| MYRA CLARK GAINES.