New Orleans (La.). Second Municipality. Council

The 1836 city charter provided that the powers and duties of the municipality councils, within their own municipalities, and of the Mayor, were to be the same as existed under the laws in force at that time. Essentially this meant that the provisions of the 1805 charter relative to those powers and duties remained in effect. Thus the Second Municipality Council had the power to make and pass all by-laws and ordinances for the better government of the affairs of, and for regulating the police and preserving the peace and good order of, the municipality. These laws, once passed by the Council, were to be transmitted to the Mayor for his consideration. If he approved of the act he was to sign it and return it to the Council, and it would have the force of law. If he did not approve of it, the Mayor had five days to return it to the Council with his objections, otherwise the legislation would gain the force of law without his signature. Disapproved ordinances and resolutions could still become law upon two-thirds vote of the members of the Council.

The city charter of New Orleans passed by the Legislature in 1836 provided for the division of the city into three municipalities, each with distinct municipal powers. The existing sixth and seventh wards (that portion of the city from Canal Street to the Jefferson Parish line at Felicity St.) became the Second Municipality.

Under this charter each municipality was to be governed by a Council composed of a Recorder and a number of Aldermen to be determined on the basis of censuses conducted for the purpose of making such an apportionment. They were to be elected by the qualified voters of the municipality. The qualifications and duties of the Recorder and Aldermen remained for the most part as they had existed under the prior laws of the city. Other existing laws of the city of New Orleans also remained in effect under the new charter, but each municipality was given the right to make and enforce public laws within its limits and was also authorized to regulate and make public improvements therein. Certain legislative and administrative powers were specifically given to the General Council of the city.

At the September 13, 1836 meeting of the Council six committees were appointed: Finance, Streets and Landings, Claims, Police, Fire, and Health. Each committee was to be composed of three members. This system of government remained in effect until the consolidation of the city as a single body in 1852. The Second Municipality became the First Municipal District under the new arrangement.