The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-13

MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
The Contract system OverI,auling Pa,
Rolls,

The Contract systeW-O verllauling Pay
Rolls.
Before the CITY Council met at noon to-day II
Was satisfactorily established that Mayor Pills
bury would report that he had signed the ordi.
nance providing for the letting out Of the cleaning
OF the Streets ETC., by contract. The Mayor, IL
was also understood. proposed to chow, by the
rolls of the Department of improvements, that
the poor laborers, who get paid only half time
now, would, by the new system, be afforded full
days work.
II was also understood, however, that hereafter
his Honor would suggest notifications TO the
ordinance, bearing upon contracts and purchases
already made by MIR. McCaffrey, when the ordi-
nance was presented and adopted, to ignore
which might embarrasa the Administrator and
the purveyors.
THE EXPENSE.
Referring to the resolutions adopted in the
Third Ward, asserting that under the contract
system at no time was the work performed Ut
less than 600 per month, the figures at the
City Hall claim that in 1868 the entire work, in
Guiding the running of the drainage machines,
wac performed for something like s27o.0O0 per
annum, or $22 800 per month.
Since the above was published, in yesterdays
EVENING DEMOCRAT, the signing OF the ordinance
referred to was reported to the Council by the
Mayor, accompanied by message. which will be
found in the official proceedings Of the Council
interesting reading, and ia in accord with what has
been said 10 the DEMOCRAT ~ to the relative
merits OF the contract eystem, and that which
has been In operation since Radicaliem began to
impoverish the community.
The reading of the Mayors message surprised
the large number of laborers who had assembled
in the oouncilroom lobby, and seemed TO
IMPRESS THEM rAyoRABLY.
that part particularly which showed that the
large numbtr OF supervisors got full time at first
rate salaries, whilst the common laborer worked
only half time Tor q small compensation.
In justice TO the workingmen IL should be eaid
that they were very orderly and acted very de-
corously during their attendance at the meeting.
Referring now to what is said above of the con-
tract system in 1868, we publish the figures fur
nished Us at the City Hall.
FOR PAVING AND REPAIRING,
and keeping in repairs, Of the streets:
Fret Ward, $4,000; Second Ward. ss40O Third
Ward, $500; Fourth Ward, $500; Fifth Ward,
$4,000; Sixth Ward, $4,000; Seventh Ward, $1,000;
Eighth Wsrd, $500; Ninth Ward, $3.50; Tenth
Ward, $500; EleveAth Ward, 1895. Total $l4, 945.
Which is considered fair price.
SHELL ROADS.
First and Fourth Districts. .....,.., $2s. 100
Second and Third Districts. ........... $1,000
Ao'ai... 's.,.. 49,. .'''...' .,........ S,LUu
This is considered very high, inasmuch a.
shells, which were paid for then at g. cents per
barrel, can be hau now for "a cents per barrel.
and labor, which was worth 81 day and difficult
to obtain, can be had now for 81 60 and plenty Of
laborers at that price.
CLEANING AND REPAIRING OF STREETS, ETC.
First Ward, $14, 500: Second Ward, sl55OO:
Third Ward. s24, 500; Fourth Ward. $4,000; Fifth
Ward. &l2,o Q; Sixth Ward, $1,000; Seventh Ward,
$3.50; Eighth Ward, $4,000; Ninth Ward. $500
Tenth Ward, $li,6oo; Eleventh Ward, $4,000
Total $lls, $50.
This was at time also when wages were two
dollars day. which are now only 81 so, and carts
"a day instead OF 81 30, the present price.
BRIDGES, WINGS AND CROSSINGS.
Repairing and keeping in repair Of the same
and doing new work.
First District $4,000 for keeping in repair and
six cents per board measure for new work
Second District-s6750, and five cents for new
work.
Third District $3.50. and five cents for new
work.
Fourth District, s4a50 and 81, cents for new
work. Total, exclusive Of new work, s24, $50.
REHABILITATION.
pavlng contracts. .......-.............. $14,945
dreaming streets. .........'- ............ oo5u
s2l7,l45
Draining machines. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. $4,000
s24l, las
Uuder the present system the paving and