New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-09-29
THE IEvEE QUESTION.


cal issues which are now creating SO much
agitation in the country. 1t is a very fine
thing, of course, to be represented in Con
gress and to have the privilege of recording
an Intellectual vote against the schemes of the
dominant party but, after ALL the privilege
would not be worth much if we are to be
drowned out by the Mississippi floods, and
our agricultural and commercial prospects
permanently ruined While the alligators are
pasturing in the caneields and the W lid fowls
are reveling in the farm houses, our people
will care very little whether they are repre-
sented in the federal Congress by Mr. Smith
or Mr.. Jones, or Mr.. Blank. Of course we
are speaking now Of lower Louisiana-the
portion of our State which is subject to inun-
dation-and which will certainly be ruined if
a third year of food comes to add the crown
ing misfortune to those eaiamities which our
people have already suffered.
But the question-how is this dire misfor-
tune to be ayerted? is one which is far more
easily asked than answered The legislature,
at is last session, attempted to do something
by constituting board of leyee commission
ers, endowed with extensive powers, but un-
fortunately not placed in possession of the
necessary amount of funds for the object in
view. Moreover, as we have before stated,
the river had already risen when these steps
were taken, and therefore all effort was inef-
fectual for that season. Levees, to be perma-
nent, must be built while the river is low, so
that they may have time to acquire consist
ency before the foods commence to press
against them That was not the case last
year, and hence the failure of even the partial |
efforts which were made. Hence ALSO the |
necessity of doing something before the river
commences to rise again. But what? That
is the question.
| # IfGovernor Wells would call the legislature
together provision might be made in time to
avert the calamity which threatens us, But
the governor is afraid, at least such is the pre-
yailing impression, to cal. together the repre-
sentatives of the people. He has reasons,
doubtless sufficient for himself, to defer
meeting with the legislature as long as posi-
ble. He is determined, apparently, to show
that self-preseTation is q law of the specific
gubernatorial nature, as well as Of general
human nature. We cannot, however, believe
really desires the ruin Of the people Of his own
State, and that he wishes to see them actually
drowned out of house and home, even al /
though they failed to respond to his election 4
proclamation. We are charitable enough to
believe that, if the governor had no fears of
the consequences, politically speaking, he
would respond to the public voice by issuing
his call for an extra session. This being the
case, we think the matter might very easily
be arranged. The legislature is to meet in
January whether the governor will it or not.
But as the governors consent is necessary for
a meeting before that time, it might be pro-
per to agree with him that nothing be- done 4
at such extra session, except to make pro-
vision for rebuilding our leyees If other sub
jects require legislation, these, too, could be
made the subjects of special agreement with
the governor. We have no doubt that a ma
Jorlty Of the members of the legislature would
pledge themselves, in advance, to pursue this !
course, and thus relieve the governors mind
Of the apprehensions which he, not unreason-
ably, entertains.
Beyond this something might be done BY.
soliciting subscriptions abroad for a purpose
which appeals directly to the material inte-
rests of all parts Of the country. People who
are ready to subscribe for the gbeneft of
sufferers from all sorts of calamities might be
willing to assist in protecting large popula-
ton from ruin by the waters of the Missis- 1
'lppl But perhaps stock company might P
be formed for the purpose of rebuilding the :
eyees. The precise form of such company :
does not occur to us at present, and of course 7
We are not prepared to suggest the details of :
IN organization Of the kind but we know :
hat in the rich and productive lands to be s
hus protected and made available for aeri-
cultural purposes, are to be found abundant
materials for a remuneratiYe return to those
who might invest their capital in the under
5aking. This expedient, however, is not i'm
nediately available. A company of this kind
could not, probably, be got up in time to
meet this years necessities, But if the
worst come to the worst, and we
have to. go through with another
season OF overflow, we may have to appeal to
his resource. But firstlet us try what can be
lone with the governor. Let members of the :
legislature go to him and pledge him safety
toln annoyance curing an extra session, and
We think he would consent to issue his call.
1t all events let the experiment. be tried n
-s.----------
. Butler was the lion of the (Pittsburg) conyen-
lonn-T[ kilograms Of Thursday afternoon
Scene from "a Midsummer Nights
1ream."
Bottonlz--I.e me play the lion, too. will roar
nat will do any mans heart good to hear me:
will roar that | will mako the duke say 4" let him
oar again, let him roar again.
Qqinee-An you should do it too terribly you g
you'd fright the duchess and the ladies' that thew
is all. --''l1e
Al-That would hang us, every mothers son.
Bottom-I grant you, friends if that you should
right the ladies out Of their wits, they would have
o more discretion but to hang us but / viii
ggrayate my voice so that will roar you as
emily as any sucking dove !; will roar you an I
were any nightingale.
Qnince-You can play no part but P uranus.
And Butler can play no part but Butter
Thou wear the lon's hide! Doff it, for shame,
And hang calfs skin on th0ss recfeant limbs ;;
t------
Mrs, swisshelm says that ehe young woman ar
. whom the radical Congress voted $40, 600
lH4 7