Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-03-10
I,afourche Railroad.
LArouscuE CROSSING, March 8, 1s5;

LAroURcHE CROSSING, March 8, 1855.
FRIEND WHIrE-Ofa truth your correspondents
"Neghbor and en-" are pouring out upon my devoted
head val yea bottles OF wrath Either language con-
veys meaning not intended in many particulars, these
gentlemen do most certainly misunderstood me. They at
any rate do not discuss at all tire main point at ISSUE They
silent upon the question: stated by me, in substance
if not in so many words Wi the bayou remain is
not in the nature things will not the people Of Laourche
be compelled for selprotectio the bayou Laourche
ater?" My opinion is that they wi but do not
any person to place reliance upon opinion than
upon any other mans do claim any special merit ri
having advanced anything new in having discovered
something unknown before. Your correspondent IN in
dulges himself in ng at my science, in contradis-
tncon to his common sense. / not aware that ever
up any special claim science" any other man
on the contrary have always been Of the opinion, that
science without good, practical to it,
vaueess convinced that the closing of the Laourche
later will be matter of necessity and this convic-
ton is founded upon many examinations made by and
much study through period of This is The
proper subject for discussion lam not alone of opinion
there many Of the old residents Of Laoche strongly
convinced of this myself Common tells them, as
well myself that the high water line has risen Six feet
at Lockport within the last fifteen years. and does continue
to rise year after year. that there is limit to their power OF
combining the waters of the bayou between evees The
danger becomes greater each year their effects
more disastrous.
When is all this to end win you go raising, enIarging
your evees the water mark rises, until they become
nsupportable burthen? There is limit to your power OF
combining the water by levees, and there is also limit to
your powers of endurance under such tax Why should
you endure it? "Neighbor" is of opinion that Railroad
with the bayou closed, would be dangerous monopoly,
because two and half dollars per hogshead was pa on
sugar during this The Railroad charge be it under
stood, but and half dollars and fifty cents mo-
asses and but dollar for sugar. and forty cents for
molasses But it appears that the Railroad must be held
answerable for the sins Of aboat and barge If they
charge fifty sugar for four miles, it is all right but
charge Of 81 50 for 50 miles, is The neec
board organized reduced this price ST. and 40
cents moIasses and this will be the high water
low water. Is this taking advantage of peoples necess
Did steamboats, charge lte, from Donaldson
vile? Neghbor" says that this reduction not made
because the bayou did not slight mistake his
part The bayou did rise, and has not yet but the
duction made notwithstanding "Neghbor" does not
how heavy freight be crossed the bayou with
water it sufficient for canal navigation. 1t does not
qure much science perceive that canals be brdged
and that heavy loads be carried bridges lie also
speaks of the difficulty and expense of cag coal the
levee cannot perceive the necessity of cdng
the evee in preference to other methods cheaper and more
expeditions but this is far from the subject willing,
very willing to admit this and all other disadvantages but
it maxim that Of two evils should choose the least"
II the bayou remains opeD OF course planters boat coal
anything else the bayou is advantageous in very many
respects compared with canal this is in respect
denied but which would cost most, to ranship coal
levee embarkment by machinery, to make and MAIN
tain levees bitches to carry off Transportation. water, etc.
and what will compensate planter for overflow by
crevasse and consequent loss Of entire crop As to
drainage of the swamps into the bayou simply say that it
be done in many places cheapy and advantage as
for instance the swamp between the Lafourche and Tere
bonnie which several feet above tide water On the left
bank of the bayou the swaps tide water level and
long distance back from the bayou should not advocate
the attempt to drain these swamps into the bayou the
pense would be too great but Transportation water would
help to fill them, so that they could be more easily
drained back Your correspondent "Neghbor" says that
the example of the Bonnet Care good argu
ment in favor Of outlets because it showed diminished
amount of water This only half true for there along
with the diminished amount Of water consequent dim nu
ton in the Of the channel shown by the
wafer OetOcU
as oboce the diminished amount Of water would fill the
diminished channel Mr.. Eet distinguished Engineer
and no is ready to admit this than myself; but
Mr.. Elet made only flying visit Of about three months
to louisiana and he was not associated with the o. s. corps
engaged surveying the river He employed to make
make rapid examination Of louisiana Independent of the
regular corps and report to the War Department. He
was in favor of outlets, but he said could not make
system only safety, and he would US if we
would adoptit =z3+
He came to Louisiana with his mind full Of his system of
eserros the tributaries of the Mississppan inndao
louisiana by extension Of evees above in Arkansas
and Missouri, certain might be saved by outlets
but as outlets available must adopt his
vors. His judgement blinded by these preconceived
opinions; he here just long enough to that the
water higher than the lands behind the levees and
then away Must his judgement under such circum
stances be final? Neghbor here accords everything to
SCIENCE" leaving poor sense in the ditch.
With regard the remarks Of your correspondent NJ
have only tosay that he puts ERRONEOUS construction
upon what said by me. not aware that I have
INDUCED in any remarks which rightly understood
could be interpreted denunciaory Of any one nor Of
assuming the direction in any of the for
closing the bayou building the Laourche Railroad The
people Of Ascension and Assumption do not realize the
tent Of the evil Of high water do those below for the
reason that is not felt by them much This the idea
to convey and not that is matter Of exutaton
them, that their neighbors in trouble. am naturally
enthusiastic, and wrote hastily but such Interpretation
cannot be justly put upon what did write satisfied
that personal recrinations than useless in the
discussion Of this question. t
1t appears that all parties in favor Of Railroad
there to be opposed to this. Railroad then
under any circumstances is desirable and will be great
benefit to the public; all admit this The question then is
only that Of closing the bayou, Of leaving open.
It is needless to say that advocate Of Railroads at
all times when there prospect Of constructing Road
that win pay. 1t would be difficult to select route for
Railroad between Donadsonve and this place that would
not pay we It's stockholders, but Of the relare
advantage and cost depends in great measure its
to the bayou, for this will exert controlling in
auence upon the business Of such road.
Let define my position exactly, and then all have
chance At For that purpose have signed my name
in full that all may know where to aim am in favor Of
Lafourche Railroad under any and all circumstances but
do consider the best location to be generally the that
would follow generally the bank Of the bayou but cutting
OF the points and bends. consider that the N. o. O. and
g. W. Railroad would benefited by the Lfourehe Railroad
more than the Lafourche Railroad would be by the
49,