The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-07-11
COMMUNICATION.
ALEXANDRIA, La, !
July 5, 1883. !

Editor Democrat
There seems TO be many complaints
and much dissatisfaction in regard to
the present administration of the pub.
lie affairs of this City. The malcon.
tents are full of condemnation, and
speak unreservedly and plainly. The
City Council is attacked as an incom-
petent body, the street contractor as
miserable failure, the police as inefi-
Gent, and the Board of Health as a
simple nullity. Thus goesthe fnsilade
against the public officers. That subj
Gent grounds exist for some complaints
I do not deny, and the particular case
In which "Tax Payer" strikes at the
Board of Health, / frankly admit, and
will, with brief statement exonerate
the Board of Health, and prove to the
citizens of Alexandria who the culpa-
bic parties are.
When the Board of Health was Or
ganized an address was issued recon-
mending a thorough system of drain
age as q sanitary necessity, and on
many occasions since measures have
been recommended for the promotion
and preservation of health. Last
Spring the Board of Health determine
ed upon some plan to obtain a sufh-
Gent outlet for the water, without
which there could be no drainage
The street contractor could not go be-
yond the corporate limits-bis obliga-
lions we're entirely within the corpo-
ration. From these facts, the Board.
of Health requested their President to
20 before the Police Jury and repre-
sent to that body the necessity Of open.
ing the drainage beyond the corpora
ton line, and solicit an appropriation
from the Parish treasury. that the
same might I've effected. The Police
Jury were favorable to the measure,
and requested a committee from the
City Council to confer with Them
This conference took place Immediate
", and the Police Jury appropriated
$500, aud in order to facilitate the
completion Of the work before the sum
mer months, the President of the Pc.
lice Jury was authorized to approve
warrants for said amount whenever
called upon by the proper authority.
The City Council Immediately appoin.
ted committee, composed Of Mayor
McGimsey and Councilman Irving, to
supervise the cleaning out of the Ca
nal. From some cause they have not
done anything, and though several
months have passed they are still in
active. Now, taxpayers of Alexand-
ria, would it be harsh Judgment tn
place the blame upon this committee Z
Does it not appear that they have neg
lected the best interests of their con.
stituents, and totally disregartled the
trust and duties imposed upon them
by the City Councili l ask an Impair.
tial verdict from the people, based
alone upon the facts.
A majority of the Board of Health
have decided against them, and res-
pectfully recommend az a sanitary ne
cessity that Mayor McGimsey convene
the Council without delay, and that
Councilman Irving, with himself, re-
sign their positions upon the commit
tee in order that the Council may APP
point new committee of live men
who will go to work and give to the
people this needful drainage 80 essen
tai to health.
S. H. RUsH,NG, N. d.,
President Board of Health.
The above communication was han
ded to the Express on the 5th for pub
LEGATION, but fur want Of space was
omitted. 1t is alone tor the defence Of
the Board of Health, and to prove to
the people that this body is alive to
the interest Of the people, and that the
deliberations are well matnred before
action. 1t ia only sufficient to say the
, recommendations at the close Of the
article have been anticipated.
S. H. r.