The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-10
MUNICIPAL MATTEHs.


The Canals ana the Bridges street Rail-
roads ana Drains.
On Monday morning the Council were assem-.
bled In committee Of the whole to debate some
important question which has MOI transpired. BY
the way, there must be q misunderstanding Of
his orders by the doorkeeper OF the Mayors office,
for IL cannot be admitted that when a
citizen sssslies at the City Hall on urgent BUSH
ness he ID to be denied the right to communicate
with the Mayor or the Administrators by note Of
least--because these gentlemen are assembled In
caucusf Such, however, is the understanding e.
his duties by the doorkeeper. AT all events. this
goes to show once more that these caucuses held
during business hours, especially in the FORE
noon, are apt to inconvenience the public.
THE CRY ATTORNEY
having been asked few days ago for his opinion
concerning the suspervision OF the navigation
canals and their bridges, has, we understand,
expressed his decided opinion that they come
under the supervision Of the Administrator Of
Commerce, who, to comply with the law, should
take immediate possession of them. They have
heretofore been under the control of the Depart.
ment OF improvements.
This subject OF canals reminds us that the
lease Of the New Canal by the State to the pres
ent lessees will expire in about two years. II ia
more Than probable that the City Council will,
prior to the expiration OF the lease, endeavor to
obtain for the city the REIMBURSEMENT of certain
rights, at least Of the State to the property for
the welfare OF the community.
The benefits now derived by the state from the
canal are problematical, or, IL we are correctly
informed, Hypothetical Ifsuch be the case the
State might in fact transfer all is rights to the
canal without suffering injury, while the city
would,be Afforded the opportunity, as her pros
perity increases,
TO UTILIZE
the canal and the adjoining lands for the public
good. 1t is argued, and with much apparent
justice, that toll paying road within the limits
OF this corporation is an anomaly, and that 1t is
impolitic for the State to own and control navi.
CATION canal running right into the heart Of the
city, and which, by the way, is subject to the
municipal police regulations.
The fact that the State owns or claims to own.
the tract OF land from tho head of the New
Basin to the lake, and known in the terms OF the
lease az 100 feet In width on either side from the
centre OF the canal, simply deprves the corpor v
ton OF one OF it's principal thoroughfares, and
monepolizes one side OF the canal as shell roa
to ride along which
A HEAVY TOLL
has to be paid.
Inc other side is occupied by the N. o. City |
Railroad track, but only by consent of the lessees
OF the canal, and on condition that thew shalI |
carry ON their trains passengers only but no |
freight. Besides the lease bas given rse tn n
ve1ations suit in which the N. o. Canal Naviga- |
tlon and Banking Company are seeking to recover
large sum OF m ney, claimed to have been paid |
to the city as drainage tax.
The situation, 1t IL also claimed. has nrec,uded
!, improvements which might have been mada at
the New Lake End, that has become suoh a NOM.
lar resort for those Of our people who cannot
afford to summer 1t on the Lake OF Como.
THE SHELL ROAD
on st. Charles Avenue has just been completed |
and the work OF Meesrs. Coleman and Faysson2
will be accepted. Administrator McOaffrey and |
Surveyor d'Hemecourt went over the road yester
day. All that is necessary to make the road ner |
feet is little r in and rolling afterwards. The
block in front Of Mr.. Jos. Hernandez presents |
rap however. The reason is that Mr.. Hernandez
proposes to test the qualities OF the new asphalt
pavement at his own expense. The laying of the |
new pavement will take place Immediately.
ALL REJECTED. |
The bids for the construction of fire alarm
bell tower in the Sixth District were opened in |
the Mayors psrior yesterday. They were as fol- |
lows: ]. ]. O'Hsra, $775; Chas. Besnard and J. |
Montagnet, $3.50; John Page, 1890, all of which |
were rejected rs being too high. Bids will be |
advertised for anew.
1t is understood that project for regulating |
the street railroad business is in contempt alton.
The project Is based on the proposition that the