Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-02-25
Ravou I,afourche.

The following is copy of the bill presented
in the Legislature by the Hon. J. S. Williams,
of this parish, for the removing of the obstruc.
tons in our bayou, and to guard us against
yearly inundation. Never was there a more
, equitable demand made to the General Assembly,
and one which has more just claims upon the
support of the members from all sections of the
. State The Lafourche parishes pay as large OF
perhaps larger tax into the Treasury, accord
ing to their population, than any other three
parishes of the State 1t is but just, therefore,
that they should receive some aid, especially,
when they are disposed to tax their own people
to further the work which they are DESTROYS
should be accomplished.
WHEREAS, the waters ofthe Bayou Lafourche,
rises higher and higher every succeeding high
water, consequent upon the obstruction IN the
lower part of said Bayou, and whereas, an ex-
animation and survey is now being made OF the
same, under instructions from the State En-
gineer, to obtain the proper and necessary data
upon which to commence work of improve
ment necessary for a reduction Of the water in
said Bayou; And Whereas, it is impossible that
said examination and survey, and proper re-
port thereon can be completed before the close
of the present session of the Legislature, there
fore,
Sec 1. Be it enacted By the Senate and House
of Representatives., ofhe State of Louisiana, in
General assembly conpened, that W. S. Campbell,
of the City of New Orleans, George S. Guion
of the Parish of Lafourche, and W. W. Pugh of
the Parish of Assumption, Commissioners on the
part of the State, together with the Governor of
the State, as ex-ofhcio, a member and Chair
man, shall constitute Board of Commissioners,
to determine and direct the mode and manner of
executing the work of improvement contem-
plated by this act, a majority of said Commits
sioners, being necessary to form quorum to
| act.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted &C., That the
State Engineer shall, as soon as the proper and
necessary surveys are made, report the same to
said Commissioners, together with such plans
for said Improvement, as in his opinion, may
seem proper, and if by them approved, the En-
gineer shall be instructed to proceed with the
work, provided that if said Commissioners should
be of opinion that the plan proposed, be not the
most advisable, they may order further ex-
aminations and surveys to be made, and it shall
be the duty of said Engineer to cause such
other and further examinations and surveys
with plans and estimates to be made, and lay
the same before the said Commissioners for
their approval. and shall further cause the
work to be executed as directed by said Com
missioners.
Sec. 3. Be 1t further enacted &C., That the
State Engineer be, and he is hereby authorized
to receive proposals for executing said work,
after advertising the same for about thirty
days, i'll two or more newspapers, to be designated
by said Commissioners, and if in the opinion of
said Engineer, the bids made, are unreasonable,
nrf no off do Of
offer sufficient security, then and in that event.
the said Engineer shall cause said works to be
executed in such manner as the said Commits
sioners may direct.
Sec. 4. Be further enacted, &C., That the
sum of sixty thousand dollars be, and is hereby
specially appropriated for the works aforesaid,
two thirds ofsaid amount out of the sales arising
from the swamp and overfowed lands, and one
third out of any money in the Treasury, not
otherwise appropriated, to be drawn by the
State Engineer, upon the warrant of the Auditor
Of Public Accounts provided that the said En-
gineer may draw for an amount not to exceed at
any time, the sum of 81 900, without producing
vouchers therefor, until the work is DONE
Sec. s. BE it further enacted, &C., That the
parishes interested, and to be benefited by said
works, be and are hereby authorized to raise in
aid of said works of improvement, the sum of
forty thousand dollars in the following proper
tons: the parish of Lafourche one half of said
amount, and the parish of Terrebonne, one
third of one half of said amount, and the parish
of Assumption two thirds of one half of said
amount by levying special tax for that pur
pose, in such amounts as the Police Juries of
said parishes may deem proper in furtherance
of said work; provided, that the question of
Tax or no Tax be submitted by the said Police
Juries to the legal voters thereof, for their APP
proval or rejection, and that the sums of money
so raised shall constitute fund in aid of the
works of improvement contemplated by this act,
to be drawn by the State Engineer upon the
warrant of the majority of said Commissioners.
Sec. 6. Be 1t further enacted, &C., That this
act shall take effect from and after its passage.
AN EXTINCT AMERICAN RAcE.-The following