Thibodaux minerva., 1855-03-24
Lafourche Railroad.
ASSUMPTION, March 20, 1855.

-1'@e"i iioN, haieh H"t iSot.
Mr.. Bayey declares that the opponents of his
proposition to close the Bayou Lafourche do meet the
issue which he has presented have comprehended his
position this question: it this: Mr. Bayley acting
defender of Dr. Kttredges Railroad BILL arms the practi-
cabily of making Railroad acithin tie banks of the
Bayou, and draining Of the Suamps adjacent into the
bayou and denies the practicabity of aording relief
from nundation by outlets This certainly issue
sented by him. He has been asked adduce the proof in
support this dogmatc expression of his opinion He has
not urnishedit yet he umphanty requires his opponents
to prove the negative As he has assumed the affirmative
in the issue he has made simply general denial
and call upon him to give something more than his
opinion matured as it has been by seven years attention
to this subject
Finding Neighbor had also read Mr. Eets report and
had turned it against him. he attempts dscredit his
witness, by telling US he had only made superficial
examination of the Bonnie Care crevasse without ex
pressing opinion to outlets giving the relief much
needed will remark that engineers of recognized talent
in the profession maintain that outlets will give relief
Such is the opinion of Gov. Heber and Mr. Eet we are
advised and if engineers of ability differ upon the pro-
prety of outlets who make claim any particular
knowledge of engineering may certainly be liberty
come to such conclusion as deem proper, and
uncensured We certainly have the best of engineers on
the side outets-Nature.
Mr.. Bayley has abandoned his quasi endorsement of
making railroad in the bed Of Zatocae He admits the
impracticabity inpoicy Of draining the Swamps with
the exception of the swamps between the Laourche and
Terrebonne) into the bayou
Here again have assertion his part and no proof
He asserts the on the right side Of the bayou
tween the Terrebonne and Lafouche may be drained into
E
So yet there natural channel which cleared out
may afford relief? We told only few years ago by
an eminent State Engineer Col Williams; and he demon
straed that there equally much fall from Fields Lake
through rEau Beue into Timbaer Bay, Mr. B. says is
found into Lafourche.
Here we again have distinguished engineers opinion
opposed Mr. Bayleys. Let us see if there not good
to doubt the correctness ef Mr. BIS opinions favor
ing the dammng the Lafourche at Donaldsonville and
making canal of 1.-THE Mississippi being the teeder We
all know njuriously the navigation Of the Terrebonne
has been affected by the introduction Of the Mississippi
water. The effect heavy deposit which ruined the
navigation restore it. it necessary dredge
the mud which had been deposited. Again have the
evidence of the deposit made in the Baraara Canal May
not reasonably anticipate equally ruinous effects the
fafourche navigation from like cause?
current and in consequence increase Of deposit in the
bed of the bayou. If to this add the washing Of
swamps and eds would not require prophet to forete
the destruction of navigation.
simply mention these evidences Gas think) of the i'm
policy of closing the Laouche and do so with the hope
that Mr. Bayley will do the honor to reply to them.
They not offered denals Of the truth Of his ama
ton but with the view Of showing him and others that
there may be opinion to his entertained if
sustained.
As Mr. Bayley has so Handsomely made the amend for
what deemed very uncharabe fling at his opponents
and he clearly accords with in the proprety Of
making the Railroad on terra f,ma, we shall be much
favored he will give the benefit Of his enlarged experience
effort make road under the charter recently
granted
As you have admitted into your columns the speech of
Kttredge you have been good invite
discussion Of the Railroad question which it relates will
make few comments thereon.
The Senator assumes that the bill introduced by COL
Pugh as substitute his own, defines the be
followed rather he two routes and makes fierce
them The one he styles useless and iconcenient
the other impractaedbe His denunciaons are however
thrown away, there is not be found in the bill any