The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-10-24
rhe Love- commissioner and the Governor.


The Levee Commissioners and the Governor.
The following is the text of resolution adopted by
the board of leyee commissioners in relation to con
vening the State legislature, and Gov. Wells answer
1t is thought that the Why the governor refuse
to call the legislature together was that the first act
would be 20 impeach him:
Whereas The present condition Of the finances of
the board does not warrant the belief that we shall be
abe to construct the levees necessary Tor the protec
ton of the State from overflow, and
Whereas, 1t seems impossible to sell our bonds, or
pass the State notes exceptat discount; therefore
Resolved That the board of evee commissioners
do hereby earnestly request his exceency, the gov
prnor of the State of Louisiana to the egis-
lature at the earliest possible moment that they may
take immediate measures relieve the State from the
present condition of its finances, and the danger thae
awaits US unless the evees can be rebuilt that the sec
retary of the board be instructed to present copy OF
this preamble and resolution to his excellency the
governor.
THE GOVERNORS REPLY,
STATE OF LOUISIANA, EXECUTIVE Dept,
New Orleans, Aug. %, 1866.
Gentlealsn-I have received, at the hands OF your
secretary copy of resolutions adopted by you, set
ting forth the necessity of further appropriation OF
money by the State to rebuild the leyees and in order
to provide for the same, you ask me to convene he
J legislature in extra session.
In the matter of protecting the State from overflow
think my past acts show that have and do appreeI-
ate the importance thereof took the responsibility
last year of letting out contracts for the building OF
the most important levees, appointed your present
board to direct and manage the same, trusting to the
legislature to ratifY my acts and to provide the ways
aud means to pay for the work. For that purpose |
called it together early November, that provI-
sions might be made by them to meet the first pay
ments due contractors. The legislature met approved
the levee contracts and passed bill authorizing the
issue of one million Of dollars in bonds for levee pnr
poses but the effect of an amendment introduced ii
the house. implying that the bonds not to be sole
under par rendered the act wholly nugatory so far al
disposing of them by sale. However, the form of ad
verGsing was gone through with; thirty days was os
in waiting for bids which it might have been foreseef
would never come under the restriction referred to
and the consequence was, the first payments to con
tractors became due without dollar in the hand
of the board to meet them. | need not describe th
condition of the contractors in failing to receive thei
money! and the serious delay to the work occasione
thereby.
The responsibility for this state of things does no
rest with yon, gentlemen, nor with met must b
, charged where it belongs.
To the failure the part of the State to meet tn
first payments due contractors is in my opinion, to
ascribed the non-competion of the levees in time
resist the high water though also believe the boar
, committed error in not adhering to the terms c
my advertisement, which restricted contractors to on
section of levees.
At the regular session of the legislature that bod
refused to adopt permanent State leree system, a
recommended by your board, and even further appre
priatons for the completion of the levees obtane
q by great exerton the encountering strenr
! GUS opposition from representatives from the hig
r lands and number of the city delegation.
In view Of this opposition, and the failure OF tn
board to prevent general nundaton of the best land
of the State, with two millions of dollars under the
II CONTROL have serious doubts if any further aid an
assistance can be expected from the legislature tt
4 wards rcconstructng the evees. Their constituent
: will say that two millions of dollars have been spen
with no benefit to the country. So far preyentin
the disastrous crevasses of the current year, this a
!, CATION is true; but at the time do not adm
that the expenditures of the board have been useless
The levees built will be permanent protection; an
if the funds of the board are sufficient to comple
@ the Grand, Morganza and Chinn levees, l conside
!, with ordinary vigilance the part Of the local a
u thortes general nundation of the country can
avoided at the next rise of the river.
a Entertaining these views, must, gentlemen, r
spectfuy differ from you regards the expedient
Of convening the legislature for the purposes you
Q and therefore decline acceding to your request.
am, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
J. MADISON WELLS, Governor of Louisiana.