Thibodaux minerva., 1855-03-24
SO. 900 additional security more than first demand

our road extended to the Bauf at once; but they
did consider this new demand of Messrs. G. & B
an unjust and e1tortionate one. The additona
security, however, they refused. The shells added
to c. & BIS. price, made it equal to S320,000, fol
work that was only worth at the very most $780,
600. The answer given that the company
Welded the shells but held them to their own offer
as to the security they the company, did not see
proper to lock up 100000 in bonds. On this
peremptorv refusal to yield on the part of the Board
c. & B. threatened to throw up the contract unless
it was accorded. They were resolved upon having
what they demanded. A committee Of the Directors
was appointed to consider the matter, and invite
c. & B. to put their objections down in writing,
all, everything, that they demanded. This was
done. c. & B., made third proposition, and in it
they claimed: First, the shells; 2nd the 100000
security 3rd the right to suspend the work en-
tirely, or take off all their hands in case of over
flow or epidemic, thereby taking away all security
as to the time of finishing the work, leaving no
guarantee, on their part, that they would finish the
road in less than ten years, if ever; 4th, when land
required for borrowing pits, the Railroad Com
pany must purchase the same for them etc, etc.
Mcssrs. Cade & Baker were repeatedly asked if
this was all they required! if there was nothing
else-no other concession-no other privilege want
ed Their reply was, "No! this is ALL Accede
to these, and we are satisfied" The Board again
met, and it may we'll be imagined with what re-
luctance they yielded all these points, eating their
own words-consenting when they had before de-
cided not to do so. But they finally did give up all,
everything, but only on account of the Importance
of the contract and the desire to extend the road
to the Attakapas as soon as possible But were
Messrs Cade Il Baker even now satisfied after all
these concessions on the part Of the Board? They
were not! Their insatiate thirst for the "pound of
flesh" was not yet quenched Another privilege
must be granted them, or else they would throw
up the contract They now demand that they should
be allowed to make log embankments across all
earth; that such clause should be inserted in the
contract; that they should have as right what
was never accorded as a right to the meanest con-
tractor that ever worked on the road The ngineer
was willing to accord them this privilege under
certain circumstances, in particular localities, when
there is no solid bottom to the swamp; provided it
was done in proper manner, and rith the sanction
of the Board of Directors; but mould not suffer it
to be accorded as a matter of right; should not
go into the contract, because it would be offering
a premium for bad work.
The Board then endeavored to compromise the
matter by inserting a clause which would give
them the right of putting in sound solid cypress
logs. But they even objected to this reasonable
and demanded the right of putting in
logs of any kind, whether cypress, gum, maple,
ash, or what not, and that clause to this effect be
inserted in the contract they would throw it up
This before the notary, Mr.. Chiapella ofthe
Directors, who was in the act of drawing up the
contract, and who heard all. The Chief Engineer,
G. W. R. Bayley, Esq, then told Messrs. c. 4 B.
that such clause should not go into the contract at
ALL with his consent; or, if it did it would be with
the full knowledge and consent of the whole Board
of Directors, and not otherwise. The President,
Mr.. HEwEs, then went from member to member
Of the Board and asked them if they would yield to
the last demand-this final concession! Their
answer was "No!" to man. The President ex-
pressed bis willingness to sign the contract pre-
piously agreed upon, but could not do so if such
clause as the last named was inserted. "Then,"
said G. & B., 1--WE throw up the contract" and SO
they did, and went home to the Attakapas, and as
Company did it in such eay that we cannot
make a suit hold for damages"
Now it is plain to all that Messrs. Cadc & Baker
are the parties at fault, and for item not worth
to the Bouf of S32o,0O0, with the very best of
security, on which they could have made not less
than $125,000 profit; and one of $35O00O from
New Iberia to Washington on which they would
After they had thrown up all, they were again Of
ered the work from New Iberia to Washington,
1t the same price they had proposed for it; but
hey refused.
Who is right or who is wrong-Messrs G. & B.,
or the Board Of Directors, remains for the public
70 judge. We have merely touched on the facts,
eaving all free to express their own convictions
The ExpoNENr.-This truly valuable paper,
one which should be found on the table of every
true lover Of his country, published at No. 81
Common Street, New Orleans, and edited by
our old friend Col. Joseph Etter in an article
paying very fattering compliment to the Mi
lerva, concludes thus: The country in which
.he Minerva circulates is the richest, and the
people the most hospitable Of any country"
Now Col, in the name of our people we return
you their thanks for the very favorable opinion
hat weeks sojourn among them caused you to
express; and can assure you that should you
lgain conclude to extend visit to Lafourche,
you will ever find them ready and eager to
extend to you the same hospitalities.
To TRAvELERs.-Mr. Price, the mail con-
;ractor on the route from Donaldsonville to
0pelousas, has drawn off his stages which have
been running between Tigerville and the Rail-
.oad Crossing Cause refusal on the part of