Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1859-07-09
Communicated.
THE LEVEE INSPECTORSH1P.

amendment to the Levee Code Of an lnspec.
tor for the whole parish. has caused conside-
able discussion and many remarks from its
opponents-smacking more of ill-nature and
malice than good sense-it is time that the
other side of the question should be heard.
This amendment has been talked of, to my
certain knowledge, for years past, and has at
this time been proposed on account of the
manifest faults and disadvantages Of our pres
emit system of levee laws, and from the be.
liet that the remedy propoced, is absolutely
certa in to correct all faults and supply all
deficiencies. The greatest fault. existing in
our law, as it now stands, is that there is no
uniformity in its execution, for the reason
that some Of the Inspectors never read the
law; some, having read, don't understand it,
and, others, understanding it, take the res
possibility, and don't choose to execute it
although SO sworn to do. ftalIows too much
individual liberty to the different Inspectors.
and it cannot be remedied unless by6tbolish-
ing their Offices and giving the whole control
of our levees to some one capable one who
will have the moral courage to execute the
law, and who can give sufficient bond to in
sure that he will faithfully perform the du.
ties of the office.
AS it is now, some of our best and most
industrious citizens, at an immense sacrifice
of time and patience, have to take upon them
selves the Offices of Wa:d Inspectors with
tn: large salary of twenty-five dollars. when
that many hundred dollars would scarcely
pay them for the trouble. This duty, in
some Wards ION account of the property be-
ing owned by absentees and few residents) has
become a great burden to the two or three
who will accept on account of their public
spirit, or because it is more likely to insure
their own safety. 1t is an Office, in which a
man attending to his duty can make no friends,
from the feeling now prevailing in our com:
munlty. and, being poorly paid, does not at
tend to the duties Of his Office, prefering to
neglect the public business, rather than his
own private affairs.
In the next place: there are eight river
river Wards in this parish. and, from my own
know but three of them 10
''h;"h the provisions Of the law in regard I
to the size Of the leyees, have been put il
They are too timid to order the proper
and the proprietors are not so fond of
spending their money on levees as they are
for I" niggers."
Is it fair that l, living in the Sixth Ward
be compelled to give my levee six feet
Of base for every foot in height, when my
next neighbor in the Fifth Ward is not re-
CURED to give more than three and a hall, or
four feet of base for every one Of height?-
An imaginary line separates our plantations:
but what a difference in the burdens imposed
by the public authorities The law is made
for me as well as you-it requires that even
justice should be melted out to all,
but what a delusion for any one to think that
it is done! AMI not to have a voice in deter
the size of the levee IN the Ward
above me, when my hands are liable at
Any llUNllCite, III CdSC VI d dSoC3 ~ ~
remorseless CONSUMPTION of the Inspector?-
Shall not be represented in a Ward where
\ crevasse may drown out my place and de-
stroy my crop? Snail | be mute when | see
The irresponsible Ward Inspector openly vio-
the law and neglect its plainest provis-
ions? This could not, OF should not, happen
the man wto lays off levees in every
Ward, would be my Inspector as we'll as
yours, and when being well paid f,r his from !
Die, would be obliged to give IA heavy bond
'or the faithful performance of his duty.
Again, Mr.. Editor: in case Of crevasse,
ook at these beautiful Ward Inspectors how
we'll they perform their. duties-how Impair
tally the acquisitions ale made, and, above
III, how beautifully they are complied with
have no intention OF being personal or cast :,
ng any reflections upon any. parties concern }
ID, but would simply recall the manner in
the orders and acquisitions of the In
'pector on the Lobdell crevasse were obeyed.
Several Ward Inspectors were ordered to
'end a detail from their respective Wards,
tut declined to do so. Other planters hav-
ng their banda there took them away and
'efused to return them. Should these ~refrac-
ory Inspectors be prosecuted, they would
rot be fined more than five hundred dollars,
could be very readily paid by contrib
'tions from those proPrietors whose hands
hey. refused. to order out. I know this
passive resistance has been contemplated and
,eyond a doubt could be executed. This
hou'd be avoided, as it is only by co%ncentra-
ion of force and unity of labor that a cre-
'asse can ever be closed and the concent:a-
ion can only take place by granting to one
'flcer the control Of the whole matter, who