The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-08-15

EXTRA SESSION OF THE LKG1sLATURE E.
We resume the consideration of this subje ct with
the intention Of keeping it prominently in view of
oar readers as one Of the most important elements
Of the future growth and prosperity Of our city,
The trea.v with Mexico taken in connec ton with
the concession made by that government in favor
Of Don Jose Garay, forms complete title, sufi-
cent 10 secure the perfect safety of anv investment
that may be made by citizens for the purpose of
effecting a line OF communication across the 18th
mus 1t must not be forgotten that with such
communication our distance froul San Francisco
will be only three thousand eight hundred and fifty
miles, while by Panama it is five thousand six
hundred and seventy-five mile s. BY the former
route, the distance from New York to San Francis
co is only five thousand two hundred and fifty
miles; by the latter, six thouiiand six hundred and
fifty miles A simple inspection Of these figures
shows the enormous advantages we possess for Sc
curing trade which now passes by very
threshold, to seek more enterprisng sister city
OF the north 1t is not, however, altogether jast to
join in the prevalent reproaches against citi-
zens for not having yet organized a communication
across Tehuantepec. Nothing was done with the
Panama Nicaragua route, until the action of our
government had proved successful in securing a
right OF way between the two seas at those points.
| The right of passage across Tehuantepec had been
conceded years ago, by the Mexican government,
as exclusive privilege to Mr.. Garay, and it was,
OF course, idle to expect that American citizens
would invest capital in OBJ tanning assignment of
! the concession, in undertaking to build road
while their property remained unprotected by the
| strong arm of the General Government; and espe-
cially, while the tickle administration in Mexico
was constantly seeking pretexts for aDnulling the
concession made by Santa Anna to Garay.
During the tendency OF the negotiations between
Mr.. Letcher and Mr.. Lacunza Qhe Mexican Min.
lister for Foreign Affairs the committee appointed by
our citizens at great Tehuantepec meeting held
last have been idle but as we are inform.
ed have succeeded in effectng an arrangement with
Mr.. Hargous, the present owner of the concession
whereby the control of this great enterprise is Sc.
cured to New Orleans. For this purpose, however
it is necessary to form joint stock company, and
the unfortunate state OF our imperfect Legislation on
the subject of corporations has arrested any further
progress till the next meeting of Legislature
BY the Constitution of the State no special charter
| can be granted to any company, and no law can be
passed except law applicable to corporations in
general-our Legislature has passed such a genera
law, but it is SO cogged with forms and conditions
4
kind, required Tor large an enterprise as to be
totally impracticabe-on of the provisions of the
law limits the capital of any company formed under
its provisions, to $500, 0O0-whereas, several mil
lions would be required for the Tehuantepec Com
pany
Ii seems that this fact alone would author
ze and indeed require the call Of an extra session
of the Legislature by our Governor. 1t surely
cannot be permitted that this important measure
wrested from our city, because of such defect o
our Legislation renders it impossible to organize
a company in New Orleans. Our enumeration o
the advantages and benefits that would accrue tt
! our city and state from such measure would leat
to such startling results might make us appear
Missionaries to those who have not fully examined
the subject; and we conceive of nothing bet
ter worth the trouble and expense of an extra SEES.
sion, than the devising of such amendments tc
our corporation law, shall enable those who are
anxious and able to this project to form an
efficient and secure organization for that purpose
Some of our country contemporaries are already
loud In the call for session next fall in order to
establish some system for the protection of the allu-
vial lands of the State against the overflow of the
river. This, again, is 4 matter Of vast importance
and there are others to which we may hereafter
allude showing the necessity of obviating the mis-
takes committed by the Legislature in their las
hurried session. The fiscal affairs of the State
and the wretched condition of city finances, arr
prominent topics requiring further consideration OIL
which we also propose to comment at early day