The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1909-04-24
Proceedings of the Town Council
SPECIAL MEETING.
Donaldsonville, La. March IA, 1909.


The council met this day in special session, at
the courthouse. with Mayor Chas. Maurin pre-
| siding and all of the aldermen present.
The special ferry comm ittee submitted the fol-
| lowing report. which was read and received:
To the Honorable Police Jury of the Parish of
Ascension and the Honorable Common Coun-
ell of the Town of Donaldsonyifle:
Gentlemen ~ our joint committee appointed
by the police jury of the parish of Ascension and
the common council of the town of Donaldson
vile, met in joint session at the courthouse.
Committee of police jury present: Messrs. Geo.
B. Reuss, Henry L. We'll, L. w. Armitage and
Michael Tobias.
Committee of town council present: Messrs.
Chas. Maurin, B. j. Vega, w. D. Park. Jas. Won
Lotten and j. E. Blum. Hon. 3. N. Pugh. city
attorney, was also present
On motion, duly seconded, Mr.. Reuss was
nominated for chairman and Mr.. Blum for secFe-
tary of this meeting. The chairman stated that
the meeting was called for the purpose of re-
ceiving communication addressed to the joint
ferry committee by Mr.. g. A. Gondran. The
communication herewith attached, under date
of March a. was read and received. After hear
ing the communication read, on motion, duly
seconded, it was resolved to go into executive
session to discuss the proposition of Mr.. Con-
dram. After discussing the same Mr.. Gondran
was called before the joint committee and the
following proposition was made him:
For the purpose of establishing a safe and
suitable ferry between Donaldsonville and Dar-
row. and as an inducement for the purpose of OBJ
tanning said ferry, the police jury and town coun
Gil viii pay to the lesseee of said ferry the of
four hundred dollars t$4001 per annum, payable
monthly during the lease, provided said boat is
constructed in accordance with the plans speci-
fcations and terms and conditions fixed by said
bodies
Mr.. Gondran stated that he would take this
proposition under advisenlent and report again
to these committees, which would meet on
March 81. On March 81 these committees met,
and the following proposition under date OF
March so was submitted by MIR. Gondran, copy
of which is herewith attached. On motion. duly
seconded, the joint committee went into execn-
tive session and the matter was discussed. 1t
was proposed in open meeting that the clause in
Mr.. Gondran's proposition of March 80,
offering six hundred dollars (S6o0l per annum
instead of S400 as decided, be rejected and that
an advertisement be placed in the official journal
as follows:
Sealed bids for the lease of the Donaldson
ville-Darrow river ferry franchise, addressed to
either OF the undersigned, viii be received up to
II o'clock noon Wednesday, April ID 1903. The
fefrfy mast be operated under the same rules,
regulations and tariff IS at present eg
ist, with the exception that the clause
for the free passage OF grand and petit jurors and
parochial officials shall be eliminated from the
contract. All school children must be trans
ported free of charge.
The franchise viii be adjudicated for term
OF ten years TO the bidder offering the best
double steel hull ferry boat, and bonus of S400
CURED IN the free passage OF school children.
"(Signedl GEO. b. REUSS,
President, Police Jury of Ascension Parish, Ho-
hen Soims, La.
"(signed) CHAS. A. MAURIN,
Mayor, Town of Donaldsonvifte, La.
We herewith submit this report and ask that
our action be approved in these matters.
Donaldsonville, La, March "a, 1903.
To the Honorable the Police Jury of the Parish
of Ascension, La. and the Honorable the
Common Council of Donaldsonville, La:
Gentlemen -
Representing parties who desire to establish
and operate frst-class ferry here, between
Donaldsonville and Darrow, I am authorized to-
make you the following propositions:
My clients to have franchise or ferry priv
ilege for ten years for nominal compensation,
say Gne Dollar, under the terms and conditions
of the existing ferry contract and tolls elimnat-
ing from the latter all free list. excepting school
children attending schools in DonaldsonviIIe,
who they propose to cross at half rates or issue
to them school tickets good for 10 crossings on
for 20 scholastic days, for 81, said tickets TO be
used only on school Gays and when the children
are crossing to actually attend school and not
to exceed two crossings on each school day.
My clients guarantee to place in service
within len months, or sooner, from date of sign
ing of contract, new steel double-hull boat
with sufficient room space and double cabins, one
for white and one for eolored, to accommodate
two hundred passengers and SIX vehicles, and
propelled by strong and sufficient steam power.
Minor details to be mutually agreed upon
without unnecessary delay. would request that
you give me a prompt reply, my clients wish
to lose no time in perfecting arrangements for
the construction of their boat.
Very respectfully yours,
&. A. aoNDRAN.
To the Joint Ferry Committee, Police Jury, Par
ish of Ascension. and Common Council, Town
of DonaldsonvilIe, La:
Gentlemen
The counter proposition which you offered
me on Sunday, March %, of bonus of -Four
Hundred Dollars per year in lieu of the tolls for
school children was submitted by to my
clients as had agreed. My clients have author
lied me to make you the following proposition:
The parish and town to pay a bonus of Six Hun
dred Dollars per annum during the existence of
the contract to be paid monthly by the police
jury and town council, or the proposition as
originally offered for the school children.
The lessees of the ferry reserving the right of
dlscentlnuing service at any time during the life
of the contract, should the police jury and town
council fail to pay said bonus monthly, promptly
between the 1st and 10th of each month.
The boat to be placed in service to be as fol-
lows: Length of boat to be between rs and 80
feet. width between "a and 3S feet. equipped with
60 to 80 horsepower boiler 81 IL feet. Ten-inch
cylinder and Al to stroke. Two cabins, one for
white and one for colored, between to 10 2S
to 80 feet. Vehicle space on front deck to be d
81, and sufficient space on either side of boiler
room for two vehicles, one on each SIDE. Huh
to be of steel, double, or catamaran model.
The schedule of time as now in operation, to
be slightly modified to conform with recent ma
rine regulations.
Contract to be made in my name with the
privilege of assigning same upon my assignees
assuming all obligations on my part.
propose to furnish bond to the parish and
town to the amount of Five Hundred Dollars,
signed by Mr.. Adolph Meter until such time as
ne CaH He FSpiacSu DS some security as
a guarantee of my associates or assigns good
faith in the premises.
Hoping you will act on this matter without
delay.
In reply to your recent advertisement for bids
on this matter, now renew the propositions
contained in the two foregoing letters and speei-
fically describe the boat to be placed in service
as follows:
Catamaran type, twin steel hulls. Length over
decks. seyenty-eight feet. Beam thirty-four feet.
Depth of hulls under decks. five feet. Space on
decks for passengers $40 square feet. Machine
equipment viii consist of one pair non-condens-
ing engzn 10 inch bore of cylinder by Il stroke
piston. One Scotch boiler 81 feet diameter by I2
feet long and all necessary appurtenances making
a complete and first-cIass ferry boat, with such
service as will equal if not be superior to any on
the Mississippi river between New Orleans and
Yours very truly,
g. A. GONDRAN.
The council adjourned. r. HENDERSON.
caoraforu