The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-29
THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.
A Sanitary and Convention Committee in
Conference.

|
Conference.
There was meeting last night, ut No. q
Bourbon street. between Messrs. w. A. Blen.
venu, Ct. w. Bolton and w. IL. Hough com
posing subcommittee OF the Convention
Committee on City Debt Government and
Drainage, and q committee representing the
Auxiliary Sanitary Association, composed oil
Dr. J. j. Henderson, Dr. p. Davidson and
DR.. j. j.. Crawcour, from the New Orleans
Medical and Surgical Association, and Messrs
w. +. Wrotnowskl, q. w. Howell, Charles A
Whitney, Hugh Miller Thompson, D. d., A
Baldwin, Ed. Fepner, T. J. Woodward J. @
Henderson and DR.. q. B. White.
The meeting was called to order by Hon
VIM. A. Bell, chairman of the main commit
tee, who at the request OF the chairman Of
the subcommittee, presided.
| Mr.. Bell said, by way OF explanation of tbs
purpose Of tho meeting, that his committee
had been formed for tho especial purpose of In
Quiring as to the character and nature u the
city debt, and to report to the ConventiM all
Information In regard to 1t which could be
obtained, and to recommend such relief rs
was proper and was within the province of
the Convention to afford. He would say that
| after careful investigation the tax Of the city
| could not be reduced below Ia per cent, but
/ there would be great decrease OF ASSESS
! mcnt.
/ Another matter which the committee was
to consllaer and report upon was the one i'm
| pOrtan@ one OF the drainage of the city,
and with view and the desire Of getting all
tho information possible, the subcommittee
| which had this subject In hand had invited q
/ mn fnfnn In tn nf mi
| tary committee He regretted that he hadlnot
known earlier Of the proposed meeting; he
| would have had the entire Convention com
mtee present. The committee could but
| listen and report, and this they proposed to
| do. Rev. Hugh Miller Thompson, chairman
| 81 the sanitary committees. responded that
those with him would be pleased to exchange
views with the Convention committee. He
| thought there was unanimous sentiment In
regard To the necessity Or d system Of sewer
age. The time has come when the excreta Of
the large number OF people In this city must
be god rid Of 10 some effectual manner.
Mr. Bell said that In meeting held the
other night between members OF his commit
tee and certain bondhoders, the opinion was
expressed that II such action rs would estab-
lish theSfedit OF the city would be taken by
the Convention, there would be no trouble In
negotiating loan for drainage or any other
purpose.
La response to o question by Mr.. Whitney,
Mr.. Bell stated that the Convention had con
sidered the question of limitation Of taxation,
both corporate and State, but no action had as
yet been taken. lilo was Of the opinion that
no such small limit as five mills for the State
would be adopted.
Mr.. Whitney thought that If the rate of
city taxation was limited II would prevent
opinion, 1t was the duty OF all the delegates
having the interest OF the city at heart to op-
pose any limitation.
DR.. Henderson, In response to call, said
that O proper system Of drainage would be of
incalculabie benefit to the health OF this city,
DR.. Crawcour conceded with the views Of
DR.. Henderson, and submitted to Mr.. Bell O
report OF the drainage system Of Calcutta,
which city, he said, was In its situation and
condition similar to New Orleans
Rev. Hugh Miller Thompson thought that
u the soil was Kept as pure as 1t was possible
to keep 1t, and If the people did their duty,
this city would be the healthIest I'm the world
Mr.. Bell desired to know II 1t was feasible
To have system OF underground sewerage,
considering the nature and character of the
soil.
Col. Wrotnoski said that In these DAYS the
engineers considered that nothing was i'm
possible. He did not think there was an en-
gneer In the city but who wouM declare that
it was feasible. For himself he had no doubt
Of ": 1t was merely d question Of dollars and
cents.
Mr.. Bell thought that an address or procla-
nation by the Sanitary Association In refer
ence to the matter would result III considera-
bic good. 1t would agitate tho matter, and
it might be that 1t would be the means of
getting contributions towards paying for the
system He did not think property could
stand any additional tax.
Mr.. baldwin differed with Mr. Bell He
Thought tax was the only way to reach the
matter, and 70 raise money 1t would be neces-
sary TO maintain the credit Of the city All
estimates he had seen OF the cost of the sys-
tenn fixed 1t at about two million dollars. and
MA 1il ,trlt tstY An
easy matter to raise the money; but If the
report OF the sub-debt committee was the
continent OF the Convention, the Sanitary
Association might ~ well drop the matter,
because there would be no hope OF raising
any money.
Mr. Bell agreed with Mr. Baldwin as re-
CARDS tax being the proper way to get at
the matter, but he was Of the opinion that 1t
would be imposs ible to get the people to sub
NIT to an additional tax. He suggested that
some OF the gentlemen present might have
views or desire 70 make Investigations, the
result OF which they might be inclined to put
In writing, and he promised to bring all such
documents toa e attention Of the Convention:
ne Thought That IL would be productive of
beneficial results If the members would in
this way communicates with the Convention.
Mr. Fenner promised on behalf OF the SAN
itary committee. that they would prepare
what ne hoped would prove an interesting and
important document.
Mr.. Bolton suggested that although the
committee had determined to recommend thai,
city taxation be limited to IL per cent, it 1T
the same time could recommend further that
there should be an increase for Specific nur-
poses bya vote Of the taxpayers
The meeting adjourned subject to the call Of
the chairman of the Convention committee.
--.>s@-
The drama Of loves Sacrifice" and the recita
ton of the poem Of The Fireman" will afford
great attraction at the Varieties Theatre on
Saturday night. Box office open every day.
The best artist and most elegant poser Is now
with Lilienthal.
THE MAGAZINE STREET FIRE