The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-12

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| situated on the neutral ground on Go0dchlldren
| street, and the same was referred to the Admin.
| istratOr Of improvements, who reported against
its removal. III the ordinance has not been en-
forced In this instance 1t is directly
| TO the report of the Administrator OF improve
ments himself, the correctness OF which, how
| ever. continues TO be called into question by
many worthy citizens residing in that immediate
neighborhood. 1t is proper to remark thas the
| charter does not explicitly indicate the officer
whose duty it shall be to remove such obstruc-
| tions and nuisanoes from the streets. Under the
Aldermane system 1t pertained to the bureau OF
streeta, and under the present system OF govern
ment the power has always been exer-
| cised by the Administrator Of Improvements,
under whose charge the streets and pavements
and all things relative thereto fall, and there it
| is conceded to belong at present. Ii. therefore,
any cases infringing this ordinance have occurred
without prompt action thereon, the Administers
tor of Improvem ents as the officer responsible
therefor, must bear the chief blame, inssmuch ss
not only has he refrained from alb ating these
nuisances himself but has abstained from call
ing the attention OF the Council thereto. vi
similar nature is the second instance given by
the honorable Administrator Of Improvements In
the case Of the building occupied by Peter Lsmia
on the levee, at the head OF Ursullnes street.
The building in question reverted 20 inc Guy
after the expiration of two years lease.
renewal of like term was then sought, and,
although granted by the Council, was vetoed by
the Mayor. 1t was then proposed 10 usli1e tne
building, valued ct thousand dollars, as mar
Dor police station, but an examination py Tue Guy
surveyor showed that it could not be removed to
a suitable place without demolition aud q heavy
expense to the city. As it was deemed no OBJ.
struction to commerce on the levee during the
summer months, 1t was thought eminently proper
TO allow its lease at forty dollars per month until
such time as reviving business necessitated its
removal or the city required its use In that
condition the matter now stands, termlnable at
the will of the Councii and it is source OF as
u,,t 4bot ofryy af1Ht uh
torture the fact into an evasion or reversal OF the
effects of the Mayors veto.
8. The non enforcement of ordinance No. 1868,
approved May 81, 1877, providing. for the aboli.
ton OF the City W0rkhouHe. as place OF confine-
ment, and the transfer Of buildings to the
Department OF Waterworks and Public Buildings
ia made the third ground OF complaint. 1t is
furthermore charged that the Administrator OF
Police continues in the custody OF them. Ii must
be well known to the Administrator of Improve
ments as it is to every other Administrator, that
portion only Of the old Workhouse has been set
aside as warehouse for public property under
the Administrator of Police as required by
paragraph 8, section 9, city charter, and
carpenter shop for manufacture OF
collins for INDECENT dead and still another as
blacksmith shop, and stable for the stock, and
running gear OF the city consisting OF smallpox
wagons, Black Marias, charity and Fire Alarm
Telegraph wagons-under the control OF the
| same Administrator; thus in nowse contra
venng the ordinance in letter or in spirit and
availing the city Of the only retired, isolated
place under it's control suitable for the purpose,
without any special expense other than hat OF
the employees necessary to watch the buildings
and perform the work required. OF these, how
ever, complaint is also made that the Admins
traitor OF Police "keeps superintendent clerk,
blacksmith and carpenter, at yearly expense OF
&32l0."
"What these employees do" continues the Ad
ministrator "to reimburse the city for the salaries
paid them, can better be explained by the Admin
| istrator or his honor, the Mayor, who permits
such things to 60 on" The duties OF these Off
GERS are alresdy explained in stating for what
purposes the portions Of the building are used
by the Administrator OF Police "that is, for MAX
ing ooffns for INDECENT dead, repairing and keep.
ing the numerous vehicles in the department"
These circumstances were well known to the
honorable Administrator OF improvements, or. at
least should have been sufficiently well known
so as not to need inquiry on his part at this time,
especially as the proceedings OF the Council OF
July 10, 1877. show that he voted for the appoint
ment OF these officers, for at that meeting he APP
pears by the published minutes 'present," and
| In the appointments in the Department of Police
appear 'Oity Workhouse--James Lynch, SUPER
intendent, per annum $40; Robt. Berry, clerk,
carpenter, $685. all of whom were appointed by
| unanimous vote, without division, 80 that 1t
would seem the Administrator OF improvements
should have been able to answer the question
/
| ity as he can now after this information.
Next in order, complaint Is made as to the nom
enforcement of section sixteen Of ordinance No.
3421, approved May 10, 1875, relating to the re-
pairs OF the wharves. II IL charged that "dnring
last spring an effort was made to compel the con-
tractors to do their work. but the Council refused
| to assist the departments in the enforcement Of
these obligations" and it is alleged as conse-
quenoe that the city is now on the approach OF
its business season without proper wharf accom-
n,odu for itu abi nnit,0 I'm oft Ha
| City Surveyor at the time mentioned (ses Coun-
| Gil proceedings April 26, 1871 shows that
it was impracticable to pile and fill at that
| time owing to the high water and consequent
pl4pking, ballasting and Smelling can be prose-
| outed to much advantage no matter what the
height of the water; when the wharves are least
| loaded with freight, these kinds of work could
then be most properly commenced during May.
| therefore respectfully recommend
that all surface repairs including caps, stringers,
panks, ballast and shell, be commenced immedi-
ately 80 that on the fall of the water the entire
energy OF the contractors may be turned towards
rebuilding the wharves of the Third Distric'
some in the Second District" etc. On the 9th
of May, (see proceedings Of Council OF that day,
o resolution was adopted instructng the City Sur
veyor to order without delay all work required upon
the whsrves and their approaches. After some
debate q clause ordering the forfeiture OF the
lease, if conditions were not complied with, was
rejected by q majority vote. It will thus be seen
that the Council has spared no effort to improve
the condition OF the wharf facilities for the use
Of our commerce, and the best answer to asser-
| tions to the contrary is that there has been
| ample provision thus far for tho shipping, and
that by their Jealous care Of this branch OF their
| trust and vigilant watch over the contractors,
| by the 18th of October next such improvements
| will have been completed as to render abundant
accommodations for our commerce during the
| winter.
| Identified as most of the members Of the Coun.
Gil have been for years past with this branch OF
| our city's industries, they have never failed to
have keen appreciation of it's paramount impor-
lance to this city aud have directed all exertions
towards it's improvement in that regard, and
that their efforts have been successful will be seen
by reference to report of the City Surveyor,
| which has been asked with view to the informa-
tion OF our commercial classes on the subject In
this connection it has been made further burden
OF complaint by the Administrator of Improve.
ments that an appointment by himself Of Gen. A. g
Blanchard ss an inspector of wharves was ignored
by the Council and the contractors, under in
struction of the acting Mayor. 1t has been pre-
viously noticed that under the charter an Admin