The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-08
CITY COUNCIL---0FFICIAL.

CRY HArd. Nav ontsArs. 1

The Council met this day ut IL o'clock m.
In regular session.
Present Hon. 1. w. Patton, Mayor. pre-
siding and Administrators Behan. Chevalley
Giynn Houston. 1saaeson and Mealey.
The reading Of tho minutes Of the previous
meeting was dispensed with, and they wer,
approved as printed.
Communications from the Mayor and
Administrators.
From Mr. 1saacson-
Announcing appointments in his office
Laid over.
From Mr.. Mealey--
Announcing appointments In his office
Laid over.
From Mr.. Chevalley--
DEPARTMENT or WATEnwoHRs AND PUBLIC
buildings. Oily Hall,
New Orleans. January 6. 1879.
TO the. Honorable Mayor and Administrator
OF the City OIL New Orleans:
Genttemen-I feel constrained to notice off.
Gialiy the anituadversiOnS upon the two asy.
lums Of the city under the supervision Of tilis
department, viz the Insane Asylum and the
Home OF Aged and Infirm, contained In the
final report OF The last Grand Jury before the
Superior Criminal Court.
On the subject 81 the Insane Asylum the
aged than when about = year ago 1t became d
public scandal Is sufficient Endorsement OF
its present administration, when Is taken into
consideration the short space of time this de-
partInent has had TO operate q favorable
change, and that there is still much room for
Improvement II 1t remains under the admin
tration OF the city," is not denied but Is re-
oelving such constant attention as It's import
aDce deserves.
OF the information furnished the grand
confessions, am disposed to think that he is
somewhat late In making known the "pubIic
scandal which existed during and under his
administration. fail to find among the pro-
ceedings of the Council neutrality-suspicious.
expression from him that "the institute Ia
fiuence and patronage, and In the interest OF
humanity and public economy the inmates
should be transferred to the Louisiana Re
treat 1t appears only at about the close Of
his administration that he saw lit to open his
battery and disclose the secrets of the past,
as they operated In his own favor TO
attain political position, and which
can scarcely apply to myself, as out
Of twe.ve IN number OF the employees i'm the
asylum only three changes have been made
IN the list remaining over from his admins
tration.
Mr.. Pooley, the superintendent, is an old
and respectable citizen, and was selected, out
side Of any political consideration, for his hui
name reputation and especial qualifications
for the position, When he entered upon the
discharge OF his duties on the first Of Decem-
Der last the inmates OF the asylum were
poorly clad and shoeless, without suffl-
cheney OF Blankets and bedding, and other
wise destitute All the necessary articles
have been supplied, and In addition SIX patent
heaters have been put up, which give heat
enough to render the building comfortable
It's entire extent.
/ have the voluntary testimony Of many
respectable citizens, with relatives and
friends 10 the asylum, that they are better
kind In the State, which beg leave to SUBJ
init to your honorable body accompanying
herewith.
The same attention has been bestowed upon
THE Homie ef Aged ard Infrm, In supplying
It with everything needed for the comfort OF
It's inmates. The present matron, who served
under the last city administration, has been
retained, and will continue only so long as
she conducts the institution properly. Any
OF cruelty and oppression" under
date investigation, and II proven cause her
dismissal.
The entire report OF the grand Jury OF It's
Of Institutions under the super
vision Of tho city reads more like philippe
against the present city government than q
other words, g pueriie attempt at political
document When that body arrived at the
Insane Asylum the weather was inclement,
and only d very limited number Of Its MEM
bers took the trouble to go through the insti-
tuition; while in the instance OF the Home OF
the Aged and Iniirm, no examination what
ever was made OF the interior Of the estab-
lishment. This leads to the inference that
both subjects were prejudged upon the ipse
Dirt Of ex-Mayor Pilsbury, and that the
visits were made through mere matter OF
form.
The question of the transfer of one Of these
the Insane Asylum, from the
control OF the city to that OF the Sisters con-
Quoting the Louisiana Retreat, has been agi-
lated since its first Introduction to the Coun-
ell on the twenty-seventh Of October last, and
however its advocates may have fioated upon
The surface In the drift OF their own opinions
there has all along existed deeper current OF
thought In opposition, which, though less
noisy Is nevertheless more potent and COM
nands proportionate share Of public de-
liberation. 1t is O subject to be regretted that
his administration should have had Its start
Il the false position Of inheriting the "lmbe-
.ility, disorder and inefficienoy which char
lcterized every public institution controlled
ind managed by city appointees' under Its
predecessor, and 1t behooves US simply toll
AXE warning In time, and profit from the ex- |
,erience illustrated by the ex-chief magis-
rate, through the medium OF the late grand |
ury OF the parish Of Orleans 3 c
Administrator of Waterworks and Public |
Buildings.
Financial Business on Final Passage.
Mr.. Glynn called up the following ordi-
ances, which, having been read twice, were |
ow on their third reading, were unanimously |
dopted upon call OF the ROLL
An ordinance making appropriations for POI
ce for the month OF December, 1873
By Mr.. Glynn--
An ordinance to pay several accounts, COM
lencing with pay roll of Recorders Courts,
1855"
For the payment OF the several accounts
herein named, commencing with Officers,
to-, Department Of Finance, 1904"
By Mr.. Glynn-
For the payment OF the several accounts,
with Department Of Improve
lents."
BY Mr.. Glynn-
For the payment OF the several accounts,
with rent Of Davidson's Court,
}00"